Fishing Walker Lake in Imperial County, California

• Overview

  The Imperial County end of California holds Walker Lake. The water sits 203 feet up. The water covers some 43 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. It lies lower than most water we list in California. The closest town, Mesa Verde, is 28 miles distant. El Cajon is the closest city, 135 miles away. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Walker Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Species logged nearby in open biodiversity records include bluegill, channel catfish and flathead catfish. Records show what people reported, not what is stocked. On Walker Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 95°F; by December the average is down near 56°F. The year runs unbroken and warm. March through May is the strongest run, with autumn a second stretch. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. Anyone fishing Walker Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Cibola Lake at 2.9 miles is the sensible second choice. Confirm access to Walker Lake locally before you travel.