Graveyard Lakes Fishing

Fresno County

Sierra Fishing Destinations

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Graveyard Lakes Fishing

Ansel Adams Wilderness - Fresno County

Graveyard Lakes in Fresno County make a great Sierra destination for both fly fishing and spin casting. Situated at about 10,000' elevation, Graveyard Lakes have that High Sierra feeling while still being low enough to be well forested.

The 8-mile hike to Graveyard Lakes climbs 2,200' feet, making it a perfect long-weekend backpacking fishing trip. The cluster of Graveyard Lakes offers a variety of great fishing venues all within easy walking distance of a basecamp at the lowest of the lakes. You'll find fishing for Brook trout excellent in lower Graveyard Lake and fishing for larger Rainbows exhilarating in the upper lakes.

Lower Graveyard Lake

Sidetrips

From your camp at the lowest of the Graveyard Lakes, a great fishing day-trip is to follow the trail along the east side of the lake up to the higher lakes. A whole string of lakes awaits you, and I found my best fishing at the higher lakes.

Another possible fishing sidetrip would be to retrace your steps to the Goodale Pass trail and follow it up over its 11,000' crest and drop down on the other side to Papoose Lake, Chief Lake, and Lake of the Lone Indian. The hike from Graveyard Lakes to Papoose Lake is 4.5 miles.

A quick sidetrip might be to retrace your route down the trail past Upper Graveyard Meadow and then travel cross-country up to Shelf Lake. I confess, I have never been there, but reportedly the fishing is good for brook trout. It's only 1½ miles from the lowest of the Graveyard Lakes.

Nearby Featured Trips in Fresno County

Bear Creek - fishing begins as soon as you hit the trail
Evolution Valley - a multi-day backpack trip from Florence Lake
Rose Lake - a high alpine lake close to Sandpiper Lake
Sandpiper Lake - a beautiful mountain lake with golden trout
San Joaquin River - miles of excellent fishing near Florence Lake

Lower Graveyard Lake

In My Creel

#16 Black Gnat
#14 Adams
#14 Brown Elk Caddis
Moosetail Adams
#14 gray Sparkle Dun
#18 mosquito
Panther Martin

For Graveyard Lakes I used my fly fishing rod and was landing fish pretty regularly. My best luck came from the flies listed above. Spin casting did well with Panther Martin lures.

Recommended Books, Lures, and Flies for Fishing in the John Muir Wilderness

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.
The Definitive Guide to Fishing Central California Chris Shaffer. The book details more than 380 lakes, rivers and streams around Central California. The full color guide has more than 500 color photos.
Panther Martin Pro Guide Anywhere 6 Pack Great trout lures almost guaranteed to catch fish.
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.

Upper Graveyard Lake

Fishing Supplies

On your way to Graveyard Lakes you can pick up fishing supplies at

Fisherman's Warehouse, 4320 W. Shaw Ave, Fresno
California Bait and Tackle, 4516 E. Belmont Ave, Fresno
Valley Rod and Gun, 2704 Clovis Ave., Clovis
Friant Trading Post, 17142 N. Friant, Friant
Sierra Anglers, 700 McHenry Ave., Modesto
Shaver Lake Marina, Shaver Lake

Sierra Fishing Destinations

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Making Your Way to Graveyard Lakes

Graveyard Lakes are in the Ansel Adams Wilderness north of Lake Thomas A. Edison. Because Graveyard Lakes are in a Wilderness Area, you will need to pick up a Wilderness Permit for overnight camping. It's best to do that at the Ranger Station in Prather, but permits can also be obtained at the High Sierra Ranger Station, about 8 miles from Lake Edison. During peak use times, it's wise to make a permit reservation.

The drive to Lake Edison from the Fresno area takes about 3 hours. The second half of the drive, beyond Huntington Lake, winds up and over Kaiser Pass before dropping down to Lake Edison. Kaiser Pass is usually open by Memorial Day, but sometimes heavy snow keeps it closed longer. The paved road is narrow and steep in places. Be sure to fill up on gas in Prather or Shaver Lake before starting up the Kaiser Pass Road.

To reach the Graveyard Lakes trailhead follow the road around the western end of Lake Edison, passing Vermilion Valley Resort, and continuing to a trailhead parking area just a short distance beyond. The High Sierra Pack Station is located less than a mile farther along the road. Clear signs mark all the locations.

Following the Trail to Graveyard Lakes

The hike to Graveyard Lakes begins at the trailhead and for a little over a mile follows the contour of the mountainside along the northern shore of Lake Edison. Within a quarter mile you will pass the turnoff to Devil's Bathtub. Stay on the trail headed for Goodale Pass.

After a little more than a mile you will reach a trail junction. Take the left turn toward Goodale Pass. The other trail continues up to the head of Lake Edison and to Mono Creek. After making the turn you will begin the first of several steep climbs. Those who want to break up the hike will find good campsites after crossing Cold Creek at mile 4.

After mile 4 the trail levels off in Graveyard Meadows where you get a mile of easy hiking. Then you climb again to Upper Graveyard Meadow (mile 7). There at a trail junction you wave good-bye to the Goodale Pass trail and turn left for Graveyard Lakes. A final steep, strenuous 1-mile hike takes you to the lower lake.

Find good camping sites along the shore to the left or by continuing on the trail along the east side of the lake. There are also camping sites at the higher lakes. Campfires are no longer allowed at any of the Graveyard Lakes. I found my best fishing along the western shore of the lowest of the Graveyard Lakes.

Another option to backpacking is to be packed in by High Sierra Pack Station, which I have done and reccomend.

Lodging and Camping

Lodging is available at Vermilion Valley Resort located at the west end of Lake Edison, only a short distance from the trailhead. The friendly people there offer meals, showers, and simple motel rooms. The resort is a popular stopping place for backpackers on the John Muir Trail. Only a few miles away is Mono Hot Springs Resort which has cabins, a restaurant, and a store. More lodging, including vacation cabin rentals, can also be found at Huntington Lake and Shaver Lake.

Several campgrounds are located in the area of the trailhead: Vermilion Valley, Mono Creek, Mono Hot Springs, Ward Lake, Jackass Meadow, and Bolsillo. Others are found along the way back to Huntington Lake.

California's Best Camping

For complete information about more campgrounds in the Lake Thomas A. Edison area, see