Winnemucca Lake is a large, deep, ice-cold, hike-in lake located in the Mokelumne Wilderness Area of California.
HOW TO GET THERE: Take a combination of U.S. 395 and Nevada S.R. 88 and California S.R. 88 south from Carson City for about 41 miles to Kit Carson Pass.
From the paved, U.S. Forest Service parking area at the pass, take the well-marked hiking trail for about two miles to the lake.
About one mile into your hike, you will pass Frog Lake on your left side. Frog Lake is a small lake containing rainbow trout, up to about 16 inches.
WHERE TO FISH: The best place is the back side of Winnemucca Lake (behind the two small islands).
HOW TO FISH: From shore, use artificial flies, small red/white lures or Power Bait.
From a float tube, fly fish with various artificial flies.
From a small, inflatable raft, fish along the deep drop-off between the islands and the shoreline. Troll with small, silver flasher blades and nightcrawlers or troll with small lures such as black/gold or black/silver, No. 5, floating Rapalas or silver or gold, F-4 Flatfish.
WHAT YOU'LL CATCH: Eastern brook trout, up to about 13-14 inches and Kamloop trout, up to about 17-18 inches.
When you catch one, the brookies will fight you deep and the Kamloops will make spectacular leaps into the air.
SPECIAL FISHING REGULATIONS: You must wear your California fishing license where it is readily visible above the waist.
The limit is five trout, however, you can catch and keep an additional 10 Eastern brook trout, if those "brookies" are less than eight inches in length.
SPECIAL HEALTH NOTE: You'll be hiking at an elevation of about 9,000 feet, so be sure to take it slow and easy if you're not used to high altitude exercise.
SPECIAL FISHING NOTE: Winnemucca Lake is prone to lots of wind, beginning about mid-morning and lasting the rest of the day. If that should occur, just return to Frog Lake, which is more protected, and enjoy its rainbow fishing.
FOR INFORMATION: Call the U.S. Forest Service, Eldorado National Forest Information Center at (916) 644-6048.
