Salmon Lake near Truckee: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Salmon Lake is set in Placer County, California. The water sits 6,722 feet up. Surface area runs to about 3 acres — small enough to read in one session. Most waters listed here for Placer County are larger. You are 18 miles from Truckee. Further out sit Sunnyside-Tahoe City (21 miles) and Dollar Point (23 miles). Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Salmon Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Fish documented in Placer County include sockeye salmon, rainbow trout, tahoe sucker and brook trout. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. Fish Salmon Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect August near 62°F and January near 32°F on the long-run figures. The year gives four workable seasons without severe ends. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. The season on Salmon Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. Overnight stays are possible about half a mile out, where camping is mapped. 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. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. For a change of water, Loch Leven Lakes is 0.7 miles distant. Check the position on Salmon Lake before loading the car.