Upper Velma Lake Fishing in El Dorado County, California

• Overview

  Upper Velma Lake lies in El Dorado County, in California. Height above sea level is 7,943 feet. This is a pocket water of some 12 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. The closest town, South Lake Tahoe, is 8.8 miles away. For a city, Reno is 45 miles off. Other water nearby: Fontanillis Lake just 0.6 miles, Middle Velma Lake 0.6 miles away, Lower Velma Lake just 0.8 miles, Dicks Lake 1.2 miles away and Azure Lake just 1.4 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Upper Velma Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. El Dorado County records list rainbow trout, sockeye salmon and brook trout among the fish reported. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. On Upper Velma Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 28°F in January to roughly 59°F in August. A long season, with weather mattering more than the month. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. That shapes the year on Upper Velma Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. A campsite is mapped about half a mile away, which makes an early start easier. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Failing this one, try Fontanillis Lake, 0.6 miles away. For Upper Velma Lake in particular, ask before you travel.