Timberline Lake in Inyo County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Timberline Lake lies in Inyo County, California. Height above sea level is 11,102 feet. At roughly 3 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Our Inyo County list holds plenty of bigger water. Lone Pine is the closest place, 15 miles off. Visalia is the closest city, 56 miles away. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Timberline Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Survey and observation records for Inyo County include california golden trout, brook trout, rainbow trout and brown trout. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. On Timberline Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, August reads 49°F and January reads 18°F. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near mid June. Break-up sits around mid June on average, with the water closing again about mid November. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. Expect Timberline Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Public data shows nothing built here, so treat the whole approach as informal. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Should this one be busy, Guitar Lake is 0.9 miles off. Confirm before you fish Timberline Lake.