Royce Lakes, California: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  The Inyo County entry here is Royce Lakes, in California. The surface lies 11,709 feet up. At about 69 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. It ranks high for size among our Inyo County listings. Start from West Bishop, 17 miles down the road. It is 62 miles to Clovis, the nearest city. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Royce Lakes

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Inyo County records list california golden trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and owens sucker among the fish reported. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Take Royce Lakes a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 19°F and August at about 50°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near mid June. The lid tends to go about mid June and return around mid November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Royce Lakes fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. For a change of water, Golden Lake is 1.1 miles distant. Check the position on Royce Lakes before loading the car.