Fishing Dardanelles Lake

El Dorado County

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.

Sidetrips

On your way back from fishing at Dardanelles Lake you may want to make the short detour to Round Lake. Round Lake is 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.

Dardanelles Lake

Only a short drive south on Highway 89 from the Dardanelles Lake trailhead the road crosses Luther Pass (a low rise more than a pass) and descends into fabulous Hope Valley. The West Fork of the Carson River meanders through the valley proving many enticing spots to fish, easily accessed from Highway 88.

For even more adventure drive out Blue Lakes Road, which departs from Highway 88 only 2½ miles west of the Highway 89 junction. Blue Lakes are popular fishing destinations, especially for those with float tubes or hand-launched boats.

Round Lake

In My Creel

Mepp's Syclops
Bear Valley
South Bend Super Duper
Joe Hopper
Royal Coachman
Stonefly Nymph

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 working the quieter inlets.

Nearby Featured Trips in El Dorado County

Eagle Lake - only a mile from Emerald Bay on Lake Tahoe
Susie Lake - basecamp for fishing the Desolation Wilderness
Velma Lakes - hike 4 miles from Lake Tahoe's Emerald Bay to these wilderness lakes with brook and rainbow trout.
Wrights Lake - a magnificent mountain lake in the Crystal Basin. Campgrounds on its shores. Fish practically from your doorstep.

Dardanelles Lake

Recommended Books, Lures, and Flies for Fishing Dardanelles Lake

High Sierra Fishing, Basics to Advanced Tactics, Billy Van Loek. This is the book I go back to again and again to improve my fishing technique in the high Sierra.
Fly Fishing Trout Flies | Essential Flies for Trout | Hand-Tied Dry Flies, Nymphs, Streamers 32 of the most proven Trout flies, well-known for their timeless fish-catching effectiveness.
Mepps Plain Lure Assortment Trouter Kit Spinner blades are silver or gold plated, copper, or polished brass.
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.

Dardanelles Lake

Sierra Fishing Destinations

HOME

Making Your Way 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 (a small subdivision back along Highway 89). 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. 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.

Lodging and Camping

Plentiful lodging is available for those fishing Dardanelles Lakes at nearby South Lake Tahoe and Stateline, Nevada. For those who would prefer less hectic accommodations, Desolation Hotel (formerly Sorenson's) in Hope Valley on Highway 88 is a great place to stay. Camping is available around Lake Tahoe, but it can be 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 southwestern side.

California's Best Camping

For complete information about campgrounds at Tahoe, in the Crystal Basin, and along Carson Pass, see

Fishing Supplies

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