Fishing at Twin Lake, Alpine County, California

• Overview

  Alpine County in California is where Twin Lake sits. The country round it is pine and birch from end to end. Around 99 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. It is among the larger waters listed here for Alpine County. Head to Gardnerville Ranchos, 22 miles away, for anything you forgot. South Lake Tahoe is 23 miles away, with Gardnerville at 25 miles. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Twin Lake

  No chart reached our records; the first cast is your sounding. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Reported across Alpine County: brook trout, rainbow trout, great basin cutthroat trout and cutthroat trout. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. The shape of Twin Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 25°F to 57°F. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near early May. Averages place the thaw at early May and the freeze at late November. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. Expect Twin Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. A carry of 0.9 miles from the nearest parking is the price of fishing here. A campsite is mapped about half a mile away, which makes an early start easier. Toilets show in mapping about half a mile away. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Lower Blue Lake sits 0.7 miles off and takes the overflow. Nothing here settles the position at Twin Lake for certain.