Sierra Fishing at Its Most Spectacular
Dave's Sierra Fishing takes you to some of the best fishing destinations to be found in California's Sierra, places most people have never visited.
The Sierra fishing trips in this guide have been divided by counties and then by fishing destinations. (Yosemite has its own separate category.) Each Featured Trip has its own individual page with all the information to plan your Sierra fishing outing:
- Photographs of the Sierra lakes and streams
- A Sierra fishing trip Overview
- Directions for driving and hiking to the Sierra fishing destination
- A list of what I carried in my creel for that particular fishing trip
- Accommodations in the area, including lodging and campgrounds, and the best backpacking camp sites
- Where to buy fishing supplies
- Sidetrips to nearby Sierra fishing destinations
- Tips on fishing and camping gear best suited for the Sierra
Choose any of the counties listed under Sierra Fishing Destinations to learn more about that area and to find a list of my Featured Trips. Or pick the County Overview to see a map of all Sierra Nevada counties and a menu of all the Featured Trips.
Recommended Sierra Fishing Books
- Sierra Trout Guide, Ralph Cutter. The best resource available on Sierra trout, their environment and food. Excellent information on fly fishing tackle and fishing techniques.
- High Sierra Fly Fishing, Billy Van Loek. Great book on techniques for fishing successfully in the High Sierra.
- Sierra Fly Fishing, Vol. 2/ The Golden Trout Wilderness (DVD). Rave reviews from California Fly Fisher Magazine (February 2009). 5 Stars on Amazon. Beautiful images of the Sierra fly fishing experience.
- Kindle. For the weight of a single paperback you can carry a whole library with you. Dozens and dozens of fly fishing books available in Kindle format, some for as little as 99 cents.
Dardanelles Lake
El Dorado County
Solitude in the Sierra
The best Sierra fishing includes at least a short walk to put you beyond the most heavily fished waters and into the most spectacular fishing country in the Sierra. I have always found the rewards well worth the effort, and the morning walk as much a part of the experience as the time spent fishing. I usually stop to dabble my line into creeks and lakes I happen to pass along the way.
By following Dave's Sierra Fishing guide, you will discover the pleasures of fishing alone from the shore of a beautiful alpine lake or casting your fly into a deep pool along a meandering Sierra valley stream.
Sierra Fishing Destinations
Forty years of exploring the backcountry of California's Sierra Nevada have led me to dozens of fabulous out-of-the-way lakes and streams which offer great fishing, but are often overlooked by other anglers. I find myself returning to them again and again. Many of them are listed here in Dave's Sierra Fishing; others are coming soon.
Newly Added Sierra Fishing Destinations
- Alpine County - high in the Sierra and down the eastern slopes
- In Alpine County: Highland Lakes - a great late summer destination
- In Alpine County: Lower Kinney Lake - most neglected of the 3 lakes
- In Alpine County: Silver Creek - a great stream filled with surprises
Most of the Sierra fishing outings listed here make great day hikes while others can be overnight backpacking trips. With every Featured Trip you will find complete directions and a selection of photographs to help you plan your Sierra fishing trip.
Eastern Sierra Fishing Maps
A new feature here at Dave's Sierra Fishing is the collection of Eastern Sierra Fishing and Camping Maps showing the major fishing waters in the Eastern Sierra. Not only do the maps detail the most popular fishing places along the Eastern Sierra, they provide information about camping, fishing supplies, and state fishing regulations.
Yosemite National Park Current Conditions
Visit the Yosemite National Park page for current conditions in Yosemite, including. . .
- Road conditions - which roads are open or closed, any expected delays
- Weather report - current average daily highs in the valley
- River conditions
Sierra Fishing Rewards
While some people are content to do their Sierra fishing at convenient locations with their cars parked nearby, those with a little more adventurous spirit and a willingness to explore new places in the Sierra will discover the pleasures of standing alone on the shores of an alpine lake or picking their way from pool to pool along a boisterous mountain stream.
Evolution Lake
Fresno County
My idea of good fishing has always included a generous splash of solitude and adventure as I wander amidst breathtaking Sierra panoramas in pursuit of wily mountain trout. Admittedly they sometimes take a little more patience and cunning to coax onto my hook than do the hatchery bred species, but I enjoy the challenge. I measure my fishing day's success not only by the number and size of my catch, but also by the experience of venturing into the Sierra and the pleasure I draw from my surroundings.
Even if fishing is not the main thing that draws you to the Sierra, Dave's Sierra Fishing offers great mountain trips for day hikes, backpacking, photography, bird watching, wildflower viewing, and a myriad of similar interests. Dave's Sierra Fishing is as much a Sierra hiking guide as it is a fishing guide.
Sharon Lake
Tuolumne County
Each fishing trip described on Dave's Sierra Fishing has been selected because it offers a rewarding experience in the mountains beginning with interesting approach hikes through spectacular scenery and always culminating with great fishing. You'll return from every one of these Sierra fishing outings telling yourself, I can't wait to go back and try my luck there again!
Visit this site again soon since new fishing destinations are being added regularly.
Last updated, September 2010