Fishing Wales Lake in Inyo County, California

• Overview

  Wales Lake is set in Inyo County, California. It sits at 11,729 feet above sea level. Surface area is around 99 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. There is roughly 1.7 miles of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. It ranks high for size among our Inyo County listings. Nearest place of any size is Lone Pine, 14 miles away. For a city, Visalia is 57 miles off. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Wales Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Fish documented in Inyo County include california golden trout, brook trout and rainbow trout. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. Read Wales Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 51°F in August and bottoms out near 20°F in January. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Once it clears, about early June, the fishing comes on quickly. Average temperatures cross freezing around early June in spring and again near mid November in autumn. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. It sets the rhythm of the year at Wales Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. The nearest alternative is Wallace Lake, 0.9 miles out. The position on Wales Lake is worth confirming on the day.