Twin Lakes Fishing in Mono County, California

• Overview

  Twin Lakes is one of the Mono County waters in California. It sits at 10,417 feet above sea level. It is pond-in-a-field scale, with the far bank a short lob away. It is a small entry by Mono County standards. You are 24 miles from Yosemite Valley. After that come Mammoth Lakes at 30 miles and Midpines at 46 miles. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Twin Lakes

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Survey and observation records for Mono County include brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and owens sucker. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. On Twin Lakes a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give August about 51°F and February about 20°F. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. The lid usually goes in mid June, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Ice clears near mid June and comes back about mid November in a typical year. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. It holds true on Twin Lakes more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Nothing is listed nearby for parking or launching a boat. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. The nearest alternative is Odell Lake, 0.2 miles out. Rules at Twin Lakes are worth checking on the day.