Poindexter Reservoir, California: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Poindexter Reservoir lies in Modoc County, California. It sits at 5,030 feet above sea level. This is a pocket water of some 24 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. On size it sits at the modest end of our Modoc County list. Lakeview is the closest town at 25 miles. Chico sits 162 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Poindexter Reservoir

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Across Modoc County, recorded fish include Sacramento sucker, modoc sucker, rainbow trout, green sunfish and brook trout. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. On Poindexter Reservoir the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 29°F to 64°F. Some winters cap it and some do not. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. Time your trip to Poindexter Reservoir by conditions rather than dates. After heavy rain, give the water a day to settle.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Formal access is not mapped, so the last stretch is likely on foot. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. For a change of water, Ake Reservoir is 2.1 miles distant. Check the current arrangement for Poindexter Reservoir.