Silver Lake, California: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Amador County, California, is where Silver Lake sits. The surroundings are farm and woodlot. Surface area runs to roughly 539 acres, so plan for one area rather than the whole. You are looking at roughly 6.0 miles of shoreline, with plenty of water between access points. On our Amador County list it sits near the top for size. South Lake Tahoe is the closest town at 20 miles. Kingsbury follows at 25 miles, then Gardnerville Ranchos at 26 miles. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Silver Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Records held for Amador County cover rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout, Sacramento sucker and smallmouth bass. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. On Silver Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between December at about 27°F and August at about 59°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Temperature moves within a narrow band, and so does the fishing. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Silver Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. A launch point is recorded some half a mile off. Recorded parking is half a mile off, far enough to travel light. A picnic spot sits half a mile from the bank. Toilets are half a mile away, which matters on a long session. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Failing this one, try Oyster Lake, 0.9 miles away. Treat access at Silver Lake as something to verify.