Where To Go Fishing California High Sierra Lake and Rivers

The Sierra Nevada Mountains in California offer fishermen a unique freshwater fishing experience. The expansive mountain range stretches 400 miles north and south and 70 miles east and west. Fishing in the High Sierras allows you to catch beautiful fish and enjoy some of the most stunning scenery in California. Here are some tips and spots for fishing in the California High Sierras:

California High Sierra a Fishing Paradise

The High Sierra mountain range is home to the biggest alpine lake in North America, Lake Tahoe, two National Parks, and 20 National Wilderness Areas, many of which are cradled in the wooded alpine setting. The Sierra Nevada is home to hundreds of freshwater lakes. You can pull up your car or RV to the water’s edge for some of them. More remote lakes require a hike, especially those with coveted golden rainbow trout.

California High Sierra Alpine Fishing

For the fisherman who wants an opportunity to catch fish in an alpine setting, a trip to the high country means mentally and physically preparing. The journey may be demanding but always a rewarding fishing trip. An excellent place to begin your high sierra fishing trip is Lone Pine. From here, you can find numerous trailheads.

Cottonwood Lakes Basin

Cottonwood Lakes Basin is located at the southern edge of the John Muir Wilderness. Home to California’s state fish — the Golden Trout and native Brook trout. Many unspoiled lakes and creeks are in this pristine area between Cirque Peak and Mount Langley, including Cirque Lakes, South Fork Lake, Muir Lake, and Long and High Lakes.

Mammoth Lakes Fishing

Mammoth Lakes has five gorgeous lakes only a ten-minute drive from town. Surrounded by acres of forest wilderness areas, fishing opportunities are available for families and backpackers. June Lake Loop offers three famous fishing lakes: June Lake has two marinas where you can rent a boat or launch your own. Gull Lake has the best campgrounds and is the favorite of fishermen. Rounding out June Lake loop fishing options are Silver Lake, the most attractive of the lakes to hikers interested in exploring the backcountry, and Grant Lake, the largest lake in the loop. https://junelakeloop.com/

California High Sierra Wilderness Fishing

Fishermen traveling into the Sierra Nevada High County from the north can access several lakes in the Twenty Lakes Basin area, northwest of Saddlebag Lake, just outside Yosemite in the Hoover Wilderness area. With its fantastic jade color appearance, Saddlebag Lake Resort hosts numerous outdoor activities, including hiking, boating, and fishing. Stocked with trout, the lake, like many others in the area, results from the Conness Glacier runoff.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has an extensive stocking program, so chances are you will catch fish on this trip. Preparing for a High Sierra fishing adventure requires several other things, including a California fishing license. https://wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/online-sales

California High Sierra Fishing

Overnight and backcountry permits are also needed here to stay and explore the area, which can be obtained from Mono County Visitors Center in Lee Vining, California, or the Ranger Station in Yosemite. Anglers will also need to study the year’s snowpack and terrain, considering that big or late snowstorms can delay the opening of many trails and lakes. With so much to see and plenty of fish to catch, a trip to the high country will create a lasting memory for all who venture into the craggy peaks of the Sierra Nevada.

---

California’s High Sierra Region

Highway 395 Mono County

Mammoth Lakes California

---