West Lake in Mono County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  West Lake is a Mono County water, in California. The setting is rolling bush. With some 37 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. It is among the larger waters listed here for Mono County. Yosemite Valley is the closest place, 28 miles off. Further out sit Mammoth Lakes (36 miles) and Topaz Ranch Estates (46 miles). It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on West Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Reported across Mono County: brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and owens sucker. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. On West Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 23°F in January to roughly 55°F in August. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around mid May. Averages place the thaw at mid May and the freeze at late November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Plan around that when you fish West Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. For a change of water, Bergona Lake is 0.6 miles distant. The position on West Lake is worth confirming on the day.