Dave's Sierra Fishing

Fishing Eagle Lake, El Dorado County

Overview of Eagle Lake:

Only a mile from the trailhead at Lake Tahoe's Emerald Bay, Eagle Lake offers great fishing for rainbow trout in a high Sierra setting. Although it attracts a lot of day hikers during the summer, early risers can be there at dawn and get in several hours of quiet fishing before the first knapsacker arrives. It is only a short hike, but Eagle Lake is not a great place to take small children for fishing because access to the lake along the shoreline is impeded by trees and bushes. However, experienced anglers will have no problem.

Approach to Eagle Lake:

To reach Eagle Lake drive on Highway 89 along the west shore of Lake Tahoe to Emerald Bay. There at the bend of the road turn into the Eagle Falls Trailhead parking lot. There is a $3 fee to park there. If you can find a parking space outside the lot, it is free. Fill out a day hiking permit there at the kiosk. The hike to Eagle Lake is actually slightly less than a mile and only climbs about 450 feet, but because of the many steps it will seem a little longer and higher.

During the spring and early summer Eagle Falls is roaring. My photo journey was in the late fall, so only a small amount of water was running then. The bridge crosses the creek at Eagle Falls. Not long afterward you arrive at a clear area with spectacular views of Emerald Bay and Lake Tahoe.

When you reach the turnoff to Eagle Lake, you are almost there. Continue on a short distance and you will soon catch glimpses of the lake ahead through the trees. The elevation of Eagle Lake is about 7000 feet.

In My Creel:

I stuffed a number of lures and spinners into my daypack:

Recommended Books for Eagle Lake and the Desolation Wilderness

• Desolation Wilderness and the South Lake Tahoe Basin, Jeffrey P. Schaffer. Schaffer, a leading trail author, provides complete coverage of hiking in the Eagle Lake area. A book you will use again and again.
• Lake Tahoe's Desolation Wilderness Fishing Guide, Jermoe Yesavage. Thorough book on fishing in the Desolation Wilderness with information on nearly every lake and stream. Also available in Kindle edition at a greatly reduced price.
• California's Best Fishing Waters. From Wilderness Adventures Press. 182 detailed maps of the best fishing rivers and streams in California.
• 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.

Accommodations and Supplies:

Tahoe is a busy area in the summer and on weekends, so be sure to have reservations if you plan to stay in the vicinity. Lodging is available at South Lake Tahoe (where there is a Holiday Inn Express) and in Stateline, Nevada.

Closer to Emerald Bay you can find lodging at Fallen Leaf Lake, Camp Richardson, Meeks Bay, and Homewood. Vacation cabin rentals abound in the area. Bayview and Eagle Point are the two nearest campgrounds. You could also consider D. L. Bliss State Park or Sugar Pine Point State Park. There are several designated backpack campsites at Eagle Lake. Campsites there must be at least 500 feet from the lake.

For more information about camping, lodging, boating, and fishing in the Tahoe area, see California's Greatest Lakes coverage of South Lake Tahoe.

You can find fishing supplies at the north end of Lake Tahoe in Truckee at these stores:

• Mountain Hardware and Sports, 11320 Donner Pass Road
• Trout Unlimited, 10356 Donner Pass Road, #3

Closer to Eagle Lake, fishing supplies are available almost anywhere you stop from Tahoe City at the north end of Lake Tahoe to South Lake Tahoe where you will find these places:

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