Dave's Sierra Fishing

Fishing Dardanelles Lake, El Dorado County

Dardanelles Lake Overview:

Dardanelles Lake is a gem of a mountain lake for fishing with numerous rocky points jutting out from the shore, several quiet coves tucked along its long shoreline, and dramatic cliffs rising out of the water. It is situated in the Meiss Country at the headwaters of the Upper Truckee River. The trailhead for Dardanelles Lake is only a twenty minute drive from South Lake Tahoe.

Recommended Books for Dardanelles Lake
and Nearby Streams

• Desolation Wilderness and the South Lake Tahoe Basin, Jeffrey P. Schaffer. Schaffer, a leading trail author, devotes a whole section to the Dardanelles Lake area along with complete coverage of the nearby Desolation Wildnerness. A book you will use again and again.
• Trout Flies for Rivers: Patterns from the West that Work Everywhere, Carol Ann and Skip Morris. (2009) Filled with both hot new flies and proven, reliable standards plus tips on how, where, and when to fish these patterns. Step-by-step instructions for tying the most effective trout flies for rivers across North America. Includes DVD.

Approach to Dardanelles Lake:

To reach Dardanelles Lake from South Lake Tahoe follow Highway 50/89 south toward Echo Summit. Just beyond Myers turn on Highway 89 toward Markleeville and go 5 miles to the Big Meadow trailhead parking lot on the left side. It is several miles from Luther Pass. This well developed trailhead is part of the Tahoe Rim Trail. The trail to Dardanelles Lake is 3.25 miles and climbs nearly 1000 feet.

The trail takes you immediately across the highway to the beginning of the trail to Round Lake. Follow this trail, climbing at first and then passing through Big Meadow before the climb to the top of the ridge. After descending the other side of the ridge watch for a trail junction (2 miles from trailhead). Follow the sign toward Christmas Valley. Less than a quarter mile down this trail you will come to the marked junction of the trail to Dardanelles Lake.

Three stream crossings are between you and Dardanelles Lake. In late summer the streams are easily crossed on well placed rocks as shown in the photo on the right. During times of high runoff the crossing may be a problem. Follow the trail down the valley and then make a short climb to Dardanelles Lake.

On your way back from fishing at Dardanelles Lake you may want to make the short detour to Round Lake. It's a little more than half a mile from the Christmas Valley sign post that you passed on the way in and is only about a 120 foot elevation gain. Since it is along the popular Tahoe Rim Trail circuit, it sees a lot more traffic than Dardanelles Lake. There are some dramatic bluffs overlooking Round Lake, but in general I found it far less appealing than Dardanelles Lake.

In My Creel:

Dardanelles Lake has often been windy when I have visited it. On my most recent trip I brought along an assortment of heavier lures for the main part of the lake and flies for the quieter inlets:

Accommodations and Supplies:

Plentiful lodging is available those fishing Dardanelles Lakes at nearby South Lake Tahoe and Stateline, Nevada. For those who would prefer less hectic accommodations, Sorensons Resort in Hope Valley on Highway 88 is a great place to stay. Camping is available around Lake Tahoe, but it is usually difficult to find an empty site. You will have better luck by crossing Luther Pass to the Carson Pass area. For backpackers, there are numerous sites around Dardanelles Lake. I liked the ones on the south side.

Fishing supplies and other necessities can be found easily in Myers and in South Lake Tahoe at the following shops:

• Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters, 2705 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
• Sportsman, 2556 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
• Tahoe Bait and Tackle, 900 Ski Run Blvd., #102