Summit Lake Fishing near Portola, California

• Overview

  This water sits in Sierra County, California. The bank gives way to farm and woodlot. On water this small, stealth matters more than range. Most waters listed here for Sierra County are larger. The nearest town is Portola, 15 miles away. Further out sit East Quincy (22 miles) and Quincy (24 miles). Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Summit Lake

  No chart reached our records; the first cast is your sounding. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. County-wide records name rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout, green sunfish and Sacramento sucker. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Summit Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between February at about 33°F and August at about 63°F, the water has a wide range to work through. The season stretches long at both ends here. Cover comes and goes, so treat it with suspicion rather than trust. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. Plan any trip to Summit Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. A camping area sits within half a mile of here. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Should this one be busy, Little Gold Lake is 0.6 miles off. Confirm access to Summit Lake locally before you travel.