Soldier Lake in Mono County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Soldier Lake lies in Mono County, California. This is pine and birch ground. The water measures roughly 24 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. It is high ground by California standards. The nearest place of any size is Yosemite Valley, 24 miles away. The nearest city of size is Clovis, 86 miles away. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Soldier Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. County-wide records name brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and owens sucker. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. At Soldier Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 52°F at the top of summer and 22°F at the bottom of winter. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Ice is part of the season here, ending near early June. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about early June until roughly late November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. On Soldier Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Public data shows nothing built here, so treat the whole approach as informal. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. The nearest alternative is Spiller Lake, 0.8 miles out. Confirm access to Soldier Lake locally before you travel.