Alpine County Fishing
Alpine County is almost hidden away in the Sierra Nevada. Located a few miles south of Lake Tahoe, Alpine County has the smallest population of any California county. Its largest towns are Markleeville and the resort community of Bear Valley. Kirkwood Ski Resort is also in Alpine County.
Alpine County Lakes
Despite its diminutive population, Alpine County boasts some of the finest fishing waters in the state. Alpine County lakes attract anglers every year. Along Highway 4 are Lake Alpine (shown above), Mosquito Lakes (shown below), Highland Lakes, and Kinney Lakes. The latter two are featured trips in this guide.
Along Highway 88 are the popular Caples Lake, Red Lake, and the cluster of superb fishing lakes south of Hope Valley: Upper Blue Lake, Lower Blue Lake, and Twin Lake, to name a few. On the slopes of Monitor Pass is Heenan Lake. Near Markleeville is Indian Springs Reservoir.
Alpine County Rivers and Streams
The rivers and streams of Alpine County are equally as renowned for fishing. The headwaters of the east and west forks of the Carson River run from Alpine County's high country eastward toward Nevada. Wolf Creek and Silver King Creek flow into the East Carson. On the west slope the Mokelumne River rushes down from one of the Highland lakes and through Hermit Valley.
Eastern Sierra Fishing Books
- Fly Fishing Eastern Sierra Streams, Mike Brown. Covers streams from Lone Pine to Mono Lake.
- Fly Fishing Mammoth, Mark J. Heskett. Equipment, flies, lakes and streams around Mammoth.
- California's Best Fly Fishing: Premier Streams and Rivers from Northern California to the Eastern Sierra, Chip O'Brien. An up-to-date guidebook, complete with maps, detailed descriptions of fishing locations, analysis of the seasonal differences which affect fishing, and fly patterns.
Wild Trout Waters
The lower portion of the East Carson River from Hangman's Bridge to the Nevada state line has been designated Wild Trout Waters and is subject to special fishing regulations. Only barbless hooks on artificial lures may be used. It is a catch and release area.
Closed to Fishing
Above Carson Falls the East Carson River and its tributaries are closed to all fishing at all times as wildlife personnel attempt to expand the habitat for the threatened Paiute trout. This includes Silver King Creek.
Other streams closed to fishing in Alpine County are Corral Valley Creek, Coyote Valley Creek, Milk Ranch Creek, and Murry Canyon Creek. Meiss Lake is closed to fishing.
Heenan Lake is subject to a number of special regulations. The season at Heenan Lake is from Friday before Labor Day to last Sunday in October, with fishing only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Barbless looks, catch and release.