Parker Lake Fishing

Ansel Adams Wilderness - Mono County

Parker Lake makes a wonderful alternative to the popular June Lake Loop fishing destinations. This beautiful alpine lake is tucked between the shoulders of Mount Lewis and Parker Peak at an elevation of 8,309 feet. The 2-mile trail to the lake is along an easy-to-follow path, best done in the cool of morning due to the lack of shade for most of hike. Anglers are rewarded at the lake with opportunities to land both brook and brown trout.

Sidetrips

To the north of the Parker Creek drainage is Bloody Canyon, so named for the injuries to pack animals crossing the Sierra here in the years before good roads were constructed. Part way up the canyon is Walker Lake, which can be reached by trail from a trail leading over a ridge on the south side. A trailhead is located close to the Parker Lake road. Walker Lake (also known as Little Walker Lake) has good fishing for rainbow and brown trout. Private property and cabins dominate the lower end of the lake, but the upper portion is public land.

Parker Lake

Other Featured Trips in Mono County

Conness Lakes - a series of high lakes near Saddlebag Lake
Mammoth Lakes - a dozen great fishing lakes
Fern Lake - a pretty mountain lake with a 2-mile hike in from the Gull Lake area.
Green Lake - another Eastern Sierra fishing gem, close to Bridgeport

Road to Parker Lake, MonoCounty, California

Road to Parker Lake Trailhead

In My Creel

#12 Royal Wulff
#16 Blue Olive
#14 Adams Parachute
#16 Red Quill
#16 Adams
Panther Martin
Mepps trout lures
Red and gold Thomas Bouyants

As I often do, I carried both my fly fishing rod and a spinning outfit with me. I quickly discovered I did better with the fly rod, even though casting was difficult with trees standing so thickly along the shore. I should have carried in a float tube.

Recommended Books, Lures, and Flies for Fishing Parker Lake

Fly Fishing Eastern Sierra Streams Where to Go, What to Use, and How to Get There, Mike Brown. Great book detailing the best streams in the Eastern Sierra. Color Photographs.
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.
Mepps Plain Lure Assortment Trouter Kit Spinner blades are silver or gold plated, copper, or polished brass.
Panther Martin Pro Guide Anywhere 6 Pack Great trout lures almost guaranteed to catch fish.
Flies Direct Elk Hare Caddis Olive Assortment Trout Fishing Flies (1-Dozen) Hand-Tied By Professionals Who Take Great Pride In Their Craftsmanship.

Parker Creek

Sierra Fishing Destinations

HOME

Making Your Way to Fern Lake

The Parker Lake trailhead is at the end of a 2½-mile dirt road diverging from Highway 158 (the June Lake Loop) near Grant Lake. The turnoff is well marked. A small parking area is at the trailhead. The first third of the 2-mile hike is the most difficult, climbing steadily without much shade.

A sign marks the boundary of the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Eventually the trail levels off somewhat and the sound of nearby Parker Creek can be heard. As you approach the lake you will enter a pine and aspen forest with Parker Creek running along the side of the trail. The climb from trailhead to the lake is about 500 feet. In early season the mosquitoes are thick among the trees around the lake.

An alternate (but not recommended) approach to the Parker Lake is along a 5-mile trail from Silver Lake in the June Lake Loop. The Silver Lake trail joins the Parker Lake trail a quarter-mile from the lake.

I fishing with good success along the southern shore, finding occasional breaks in the trees where casting was easier. Then later I found a log crossing over Parker Creek and worked my way up the northern shore with good success. Although I didn't fish Parker Creek, I have heard that some good fishing can be found for several miles downstream from the lake.

Lodging and Camping

Lodging available around the June Lake Loop. Because it is a popular fishing destination, finding a vacancy can sometimes be difficult early in the season. Another lodging option is to drive south a short distance to Mammoth Lakes where is a greater selection of accommodations. At Mammoth, winter is the high season, so rates in summer are reasonable. For more information about lodging in Mono County, see Mono County - California's Eastern Sierra.

Backpacking campsites can be found at the lower end of the lake and across the creek on the northern shore. Since Parker Lake is in the Ansel Adams Wilderness, permits are required for overnight stays. Established Forest Service campgrounds are located all around the June Lake Loop. Some take reservations, others are first come, first served. If you have an RV, nearby Deadman Creek Campground is another alternative.

California's Best Camping

For complete information about campgrounds around June Lake and Mammoth Lakes, see

Fishing Supplies

On your way to the Parker Lake, you can pick up fishing supplies at the following places:

Ernie's Fishing Tackle in June Lake
June Lake Marina
Gull Lake Marina
Beaver's Sporting Goods, Lee Vining
The Trout Fly and Troutfitter, ShellMart Center, Hwy. 203, Mammoth Lakes
Performance Anglers, 26 Old Mammoth Rd., #L2, Mammoth Lakes
Kittredge Sports, 3218 Main Street, Mammoth Lakes