Fishing at Smiths Lake, Siskiyou County, California

• Overview

  Out in Siskiyou County, California, sits Smiths Lake. The ground round it is open valley. A pocket of water where every cast reaches cover. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Siskiyou County. You are 30 miles from Happy Camp. Willow Creek follows at 36 miles, then Yreka at 40 miles. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Smiths Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Survey and observation records for Siskiyou County include rainbow trout, brook trout, Chinook salmon and klamath smallscale sucker. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. The near bank of Smiths Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 60°F in August and bottoms out near 34°F in December. Seasons here are moderate, and the fishing runs most of the year. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. The season on Smiths Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. If the gate is shut, Lily Lake at 1.8 miles is the nearest alternative. Confirm access to Smiths Lake locally before you travel.