Skelton Lakes in Mono County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Mono County in California is where Skelton Lakes sits. The setting is rolling bush. At 13 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. By elevation it is in the upper part of our California listings. Yosemite Valley lies 20 miles from the water. It is 80 miles to Clovis, the nearest city. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Skelton Lakes

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. County-wide records name brook trout, rainbow trout and brown trout. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Anyone new to Skelton Lakes should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 51°F, the coldest about 20°F. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough mid June. Averages suggest open water from about mid June through to roughly mid November. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. It holds true on Skelton Lakes more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. For a change of water, Big Horn Lake is 1.3 miles distant. Check the current arrangement for Skelton Lakes.