Secret Lake in Mono County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Secret Lake is one of the Mono County waters in California. Height above sea level is 7,530 feet. At 6 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Topaz Ranch Estates sits 30 miles from here and is the nearest stop. Beyond it, Smith Valley at 35 miles and Smith at 36 miles. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Secret Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Species logged across Mono County include brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, owens sucker and california golden trout. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Work Secret Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 24°F to 57°F. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around early May. Climate averages put the opening at about early May and the closing near late November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Secret Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. No made access is recorded, so a short walk in is the likely arrangement. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Poore Lake at 0.7 miles is the sensible second choice. Confirm access to Secret Lake locally before you travel.