Big Pine Lakes Fishing Inyo County

Sierra Fishing Destinations

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Big Pine Lakes Fishing

Inyo County

The seven Big Pine Lakes are tucked against the dramatic crest of many of the highest and most rugged peaks in the Sierra Nevada - the Palisades, Temple Crag, and Thunderbolt Peak. The cluster of lakes is only a day's hike from the trailhead on Big Pine Creek, southwest of Bishop and east of Kings Canyon National Park.

These are great lakes for spin casting or fly fishing. I saw most of the activity just around sunset. Fish were rising all around the lakes. The Fourth Lake sees the most people, so is more heavily fished than the others. I especially enjoyed my time at the Fifth Lake and fishing for rainbow, brook and brown trout around creek inlet on the First Lake.

Lke 5, Big Pine Lake, Inyo County, California

Lake 5

Ambitious anglers could rise early, hike to the lower lakes in a couple of hours, and spend the day fishing from lake to lake and returning to the trailhead before evening. The lakes are better fished by spending at least two or three days camped among them. If you're not a backpacker, the great people at Glacier Pack Train (760-938-2538) can pack you and your gear into a base camp. You will find their pack station located right at the trailhead.

Sidetrips

An alternate fishing destination is the South Fork of Big Pine Creek. The trail is near Glacier Lodge. A short hike will take you to some nice little sections of creek. Four miles of hiking and 2,200 feet of climbing leads to Brainard Lake.

Other lakes in the Big Pine Lakes area are worth fishing, including Black Lake and Summit Lake.

Nearby Featured Trips in Inyo County

Marie Louise Lakes - a short hike from South Lake
Hungry Packer Lake - spectacular scenery, top fishing spot
Baboon Lakes - beautiful lakes to explore, days of good fishing
Bottleneck Lake - hike into this remote lake where you almost certainly will be the only one there

Temple Crag and Lake 2, Big Pine Lakes, Inyo County, California

Lake 2 and Temple Crag

In My Creel

Rooster Tail
Panther Martin
Daredevle Skeeter
#14 Partridge & Yellow Soft Hackle
#16 Red Quill
#14 Adams

These are great lakes for spin casting or fly fishing. I saw most of the activity just around sunset. Fish were rising all around the lakes. The fourth lake sees the most people, so is more heavily fished than the others. I especially enjoyed my time at the Fifth Lake and fishing for rainbow, brook and brown trout around creek inlet on the First Lake.

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Recommended Books, Lures, and Flies for Fishing Big Pine Lakes

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.
FISHINGSIR Fly Fishing Flies Kit - 64/100/110/120pcs Handmade Fly Fishing Lures - Dry/Wet Flies,Streamer, Nymph, Emerger with Waterproof Fly Box - Large selection of flies includes trusted patterns (such as Adams, Woolly Bugger, Elk Hair Caddis, Griffith's Gnat, Stimulator, Egg Fly, etc.) used by anglers around the world.
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.

Lake 7

Sierra Fishing Destinations

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Making Your Way to Big Pine Lakes

The trailhead to Big Pine Lakes is 9 miles east of Big Pine on Highway 395, 15 miles south of Bishop. If you are planning to spend the night in the wilderness, be sure to pick up a wilderness permit from the Inyo National Forest.

Park in the hiker's parking area adjacent to the pack station. An early morning start is best because the first several miles of trail traverse an open hillside with no shade. The night before you could camp in one of the campgrounds near the trailhead.

The trail to Big Pine Lakes leads out from the trailhead parking lot along the hillside, climbing at an easy grade. There is a lower trail which starts at the end of the road down by the river. It eventually merges with the upper trail.

The first 2 miles of trail are along the arid hillside well above the North Fork of Big Pine Creek. Then the trail cuts over to the creek above the falls and stays mostly among the trees for the next 2½ miles to the first lake at 10,000 feet. The turquoise color of the first three lakes is caused by glacial silt known as flour. The climb to the first lake is 2,300 feet. Another 1½ miles of hiking and 750 feet more of elevation gain takes you to the popular fourth lake. Most of the lakes can be accessed within a 4-mile loop.

Lodging and Camping

At the First Lake a good backpacking campsite is down in the hollow where you first see the lake from the trail. I didn't see any good camp sites at the Second Lake. At the Third Lake sites were situated well back and up from the water. Fourth Lake (shown in masthead photograph) has many good sites. Fifth Lake has nice spots tucked in among the small trees near the outlet.

The old Glacier Lodge built in 1917 burned down recently, but cabins and campsites are still available there on Big Pine Creek. Cabins are available for rent. Glacier Lodge also have a store, a free trout pond, and showers for a modest fee during the day. Contact Glacier Lodge.

Forest Service campgrounds are located along Big Pine Creek near the trailhead - Big Pine Creek Campground, Sage Campground, and Upper Sage Campground. The sites can be reserved ahead of time. More accommodations are found back in Bishop, about 25 miles from the trailhead.

California's Best Camping

For complete information about campgrounds near Big Pine Lakes, see

Fishing Supplies

Fishing supplies can be purchased locally at the following places:

Glacier Lodge General Store, Big Pine Creek
Brock's Flyfishing Specialists, 100 North Main Street, Bishop
Sierra Trout Magnet Fly Shop, 2272 North Sierra Highway, Bishop
Mac's Sporting Goods, 425 North Main Street, Bishop
High Sierra Tackle, 156 South Main Street, Bishop
Lake Sabrina Boat Landing

Big Pine Lakes FishingInyo County

Sierra Fishing Destinations