South Haiwee Reservoir in Inyo County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Look for South Haiwee Reservoir in Inyo County, California. It sits at 3,740 feet above sea level. At some 857 acres it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. With 6.8 miles or so of shoreline, boat anglers cover ground the bank cannot. Among the waters listed for Inyo County, none is wider. Lone Pine sits 32 miles from the bank. It is 76 miles to Visalia, the nearest city. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on South Haiwee Reservoir

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Inyo County records list california golden trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and owens sucker among the fish reported. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Work South Haiwee Reservoir in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 79°F; by January the average is down near 41°F. Heat sets the pattern from late spring onward. Shade and hour of day matter more than month. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. It holds true on South Haiwee Reservoir more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. The nearest alternative is North Haiwee Reservoir, 4 miles out. Treat South Haiwee Reservoir as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.