Fishing at Tulainyo Lake, Inyo County, California

• Overview

  Tulainyo Lake lies within the bounds of Inyo County, California. This is lake country bush ground. At about 85 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. The edge runs 1.3 miles or so, easy to work in an afternoon. It is among the larger waters listed here for Inyo County. Start from Lone Pine, 12 miles down the road. For a city, Visalia is 59 miles off. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Tulainyo Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Across Inyo County, recorded fish include california golden trout, brook trout and rainbow trout. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. At Tulainyo Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put August at about 51°F and January near 20°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly early June. The water is typically free of ice between early June and mid November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Tulainyo Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Upper Boy Scout Lake at 1.2 miles is the sensible second choice. Nothing on Tulainyo Lake should be assumed from this page alone.