Fishing at Upper Pine Lake, Inyo County, California

• Overview

  Upper Pine Lake sits within Inyo County in California. Beyond the shoreline you have lake country bush. Small at around 13 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Head to West Bishop, 15 miles away, for anything you forgot. Beyond it, Dixon Lane-Meadow Creek at 18 miles and Bishop at 19 miles. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Upper Pine Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Reported across Inyo County: california golden trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and owens sucker. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Upper Pine Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 53°F at the top of summer and 22°F at the bottom of winter. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly late May. Ice clears near late May and comes back about late November in a typical year. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. On Upper Pine Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. For a change of water, Birchim Lake is 0.4 miles distant. Rules at Upper Pine Lake are worth checking on the day.