Fishing Upper Rock Lake in Nevada County, California

• Overview

  Upper Rock Lake is a Nevada County water, California side. Elevation runs to 6,713 feet. At roughly 20 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. 24 miles away sits Truckee, the nearest town. Nevada City is 24 miles and Portola 27 miles. Also worth knowing: Lower Rock Lake out at 0.3 miles, Penner Lake 0.9 miles off, Culbertson Lake out at 1.1 miles, Sawmill Lake 1.2 miles off and Bullpen Lake out at 1.2 miles. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Upper Rock Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. County-wide records name brook trout, rainbow trout, tahoe sucker and brown trout. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. On Upper Rock Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 63°F in August and bottoms out near 32°F in January. The swings are modest, so patterns change slowly. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Upper Rock Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. A campsite lies half a mile away for anyone staying over. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Failing this one, try Lower Rock Lake, 0.3 miles away. Treat access at Upper Rock Lake as something to verify.