Fishing Sister Lake in Mono County, California

• Overview

  Mono County, California, is where Sister Lake sits. Land around it is lake country bush. Surface area runs to about 23 acres — small enough to read in one session. The nearest place of any size is Yosemite Valley, 20 miles away. The nearest city of size is Clovis, 83 miles away. There is no boundary nearby to worry about. Trees come down to the water on one side more than the other.

• Where to Fish on Sister Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. County-wide records name brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and owens sucker. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Sister Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, August reads 53°F and February reads 22°F. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about early June. Ice usually gives way near early June, and forms again about late November. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Expect Sister Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. For a change of water, Smedberg Lake is 0.6 miles distant. For Sister Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.