Fishing Sixth Lake in Inyo County, California

• Overview

  Sixth Lake belongs to Inyo County, California. Rolling bush runs right down to the water. At 8 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. It is high ground by California standards. Supplies mean a trip to Big Pine, 12 miles off. West Bishop lies 16 miles off, Bishop another 17 miles. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Sixth Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Public occurrence data for Inyo County names california golden trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and owens sucker. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On Sixth Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 19°F in February up to 50°F in August. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from mid June. From about mid June to around mid November, expect open water on the long-run figures. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. Sixth Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. A campsite lies half a mile away for anyone staying over. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. For a change of water, Seventh Lake is 0.3 miles distant. The position on Sixth Lake is worth confirming on the day.