Thompson Lake, California: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  In California, Thompson Lake falls inside Fresno County. This is open valley country. This is a pocket water of some 7 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. West Bishop lies 30 miles from the water. Then Auberry, 30 miles, and Mammoth Lakes, 31 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Thompson Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Fish documented in Fresno County include brown trout, brook trout and rainbow trout. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. On Thompson Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 26°F in February up to 56°F in August. A lid forms in a hard winter only. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Thompson Lake. A grey, mild day is often better than a bright, still one.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Mapping shows an empty shoreline: no ramp, no jetty, no marked entry. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Failing this one, try Lost Lake, 0.7 miles away. Nothing here settles the position at Thompson Lake for certain.