Trail Lakes Fishing Guide, Inyo County, California

• Overview

  Trail Lakes lies within the bounds of Inyo County, California. It sits at 11,230 feet above sea level. At roughly 5 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Compared with other California water on our list, it sits high. Mammoth Lakes is the closest town at 18 miles. West Bishop lies 18 miles off, Dixon Lane-Meadow Creek another 20 miles. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Trail Lakes

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Records held for Inyo County cover california golden trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and owens sucker. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Trail Lakes gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  August runs about 50°F on average, February about 20°F. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. The lid usually goes in mid June, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about mid June until roughly mid November. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. The season on Trail Lakes rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Public data shows nothing built here, so treat the whole approach as informal. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. If the gate is shut, Needle Lake at 0.3 miles is the nearest alternative. What applies at Trail Lakes may have changed since it was mapped.