Fishing at Snow Lakes, Inyo County, California

• Overview

  Snow Lakes is listed under Inyo County, California. The surroundings are mixed forest. The water measures roughly 16 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. It is high ground by California standards. The town to know is Mammoth Lakes, 19 miles out. The nearest city of size is Clovis, 65 miles away. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Snow Lakes

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Open biodiversity records for Inyo County list california golden trout, brook trout and rainbow trout. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. The shape of Snow Lakes decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give August about 50°F and February about 20°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around mid June. Average temperatures cross freezing around mid June in spring and again near mid November in autumn. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Snow Lakes.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Third Recess Lake at 0.8 miles is the sensible second choice. For Snow Lakes, the notice at the access point is the final word.