Fishing at Upper Lamarck Lake, Inyo County, California

• Overview

  California holds Upper Lamarck Lake, in Inyo County. Height above sea level is 10,948 feet. It runs to roughly 40 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. It ranks high for size among our Inyo County listings. The nearest place of any size is West Bishop, 15 miles away. It is 64 miles to Clovis, the nearest city. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Upper Lamarck Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Records held for Inyo County cover california golden trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and owens sucker. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. Anyone new to Upper Lamarck Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  August runs about 52°F on average, January about 20°F. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around early June. Average temperatures cross freezing around early June in spring and again near mid November in autumn. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. That shapes the year on Upper Lamarck Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Failing this one, try Lower Lamarck Lake, 0.7 miles away. The position on Upper Lamarck Lake is worth confirming on the day.