Photo of Wrights Lake, El Dorado County, CA



El Dorado County Fishing

Dave's Sierra Fishing


El Dorado County Fishing

Fishing El Dorado County offers a broad diversity of waters in which to try your luck, ranging from the eastern shores of Folsom Reservoir on the western fringe of the county to Lake Tahoe on the east. Popular flat water accessible by car include Wrights Lake (shown above), Union Valley Reservoir, Ice House Reservoir, and Loon Lake. To my mind the best fishing in El Dorado County is in the high country, off the beaten path.

A popular trailhead into the Desolation Wilderness is at Echo Lakes near Echo Summit on Highway 50. From the Echo Chalet you can catch a water taxi to the far end of Upper Echo Lake, saving yourself 2½ miles of hiking and putting you well on your way to fishing in the Desolation Wilderness.

From the northern end of Echo Lakes it is only 3 miles to island dotted Lake Aloha. A half dozen other small lakes are in the area. Some of these lakes have been designated for habitat restoration of the yellow-legged frog and, consequently, all fish have been removed from Lucille, Margery, Tamarack, Ralston, Cagwin, LeConte, and Jabu lakes as well as from connecting streams and a pond west of Lake Lucille. But many other lakes in Desolation Wilderness continue of offer great fishing.

Photo of Gerle Creek Reservoir

Gerle Creek Reservoir

Dardanelles Lake

  • Near South Lake Tahoe
  • Hike 3.25 miles to the lake
  • Fish for brook trout

Eagle Lake

  • An easy 1-mile hike
  • Magnificent views of Emerald Bay and Tahoe along the trail

Loon Lake

  • Deep in the Crystal Basin
  • Great campgrounds and free boat launch ramp
  • Stocked with rainbow trout

Susie Lake

  • A Desolation Wilderness gem
  • A 4-mile hike from Fallen Leaf Lake
  • great base camp for fishing other lakes

Velma Lakes

  • Desolation Wilderness, 4 miles from Emerald Bay
  • Fish for brook and rainbow trout
  • Camp lakeside

Wrights Lake

  • Tucked in the Crystal Basin
  • Family campgrounds and no motorboats
  • A beautiful setting for fishing

Fallen Leaf Lake, El Dorado County, California

Fallen Leaf Lake

Recommended Books, Lures, and Flies for Fishing El Dorado County



More Desolation Wilderness Destinations

Another popular entrance to the Desolation Wilderness for good fishing is from Fallen Leaf Lake. The trail leads up to a cluster of lakes such as Gilmore Lake, Susie Lake, Half Moon Lake, and Heather Lake (see Susie Lake). The Emerald Bay trailhead (see Eagle Lake) leads past Eagle Lake to all the Velma Lakes, Dicks Lake, and beautiful Fontanillis Lake. On the west side of the Desolation Wilderness many people like to start their fishing outing at Twin Bridges or Wrights Lake. Like the Fallen Leaf trailhead, these begin with a stiff uphill hike.

Meiss Country

Located southwest of Lake Tahoe near the Luther Pass road, the Meiss Country offers solitude and beautiful scenery without the high elevations and steep climbs of the Desolation Wilderness. The Dardanelles Lake trip, one of our featured trips, takes you into the heart of Meiss Country. Scotts Lake is only a 2.5 miles hike from the trailhead. Fishing is not allowed in Meiss Lake. Check your California Fish and Game site for special fishing regulations for the Upper Truckee River.


Crystal Basin

A surprising number of people don't know about the wonders of the Crystal Basin, a region of reservoirs and streams off Highway 50 just a few miles east of Pollock Pines. Camping, boating, and fishing abound in places like Union Valley Reservoir, Ice House Reservoir, and Loon Lake. See our featured trip to beautiful Wrights Lake. For maps and more information about the Crystal Basin, see our sister website Discover Echo Summit.

High Sierra Trails

Kings Canyon National Park trail, California

John Muir Trail, Kings Canyon National Park

High Sierra Trails website logo


El Dorado County Campground Highlights

The greatest selections of outstanding campgrounds in El Dorado County are divided between the beautiful Crystal Basin northeast of Placerville and the shores of sparkling Lake Tahoe.

Crystal Basin campgrounds are gathered around its many lakes, from the popular Union Valley Reservoir to secluded Loon Lake. Other scenic campsites are found at out-of-the-way Gerle Creek Reservoir and on the shores of charming Wrights Lake. Most campgrounds offer reservations available 6 months in advance of arrival.

At Lake Tahoe three state parks stand out as resplendent camping destinations for family vacations and rewarding fishing - Sugar Pine Point State Park, D. L. Bliss State Park, and Emerald Bay State Park. All three take reservations, but make your plans early because they fill up fast in the summer and over holiday weekends.

California's Best Camping

For complete information about campgrounds all around El Dorado County, see

California's Best Camping website logo

Fishing Supplies

On your way to El Dorado County you can stop for fishing supplies in Placerville at Off the Hook Fly Shop, 1351 Broadway or at Mosquito Creek Outfitters, 3000 Mosquito Road. Big 5 Sporting Goods is located at 284 Placerville Drive.

Anyone coming from Lake Tahoe can find fishing gear at these locations in South Lake Tahoe.

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