Fishing Sunset Lake in Inyo County, California

• Overview

  Sunset Lake falls in Inyo County, part of California. It sits at 11,490 feet above sea level. Around 25 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. It is high ground by California standards. West Bishop lies 17 miles from the water. Big Pine is 18 miles and Bishop 19 miles. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Sunset Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Inyo County records list california golden trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and owens sucker among the fish reported. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. At Sunset Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical August readings run about 50°F; by February the average is down near 19°F. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly mid June. Averages place the thaw at mid June and the freeze at mid November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Sunset Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. For a change of water, Baboon Lakes is 1.1 miles distant. For Sunset Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.