Q-Tip: Kirman Lake brookies

This week's special Q-Tip is about a nearby, hike-in lake in California known as Kirman (Carmen) Lake. That small lake contains a nice population of very impressive Eastern brook trout.

If you're interested in that type of trout fishing, here is what you need to know:

LOCATION: Kirman Lake, also known as Carmen Lake, is located about three miles off California S.R. 108 (The Sonora Pass Highway) in Mono County.

HOW TO GET THERE: Drive south from Carson City on U.S. 395 for 66 miles to its junction with the Sonora Pass Highway. Turn onto the Sonora Pass Highway (S.R. 108) and drive about a mile to where you will see vehicles parked on both sides of the highway.

Note: From this parking area, you need to take a very easy, three-mile hike on a dirt road to reach the lake. No motorized vehicles are permitted on that privately-owned, dirt road.

WHERE TO FISH: The best fishing is from a flat tube, an inflated raft or a small canoe. Shore fishing is restricted due to the abundance of reeds along the shoreline.

HOW TO FISH: From a tube, raft or canoe.

WHAT YOU'LL CATCH: Trophy-sized Eastern brook trout. They can weigh up to five pounds or larger!

SPECIAL REGULATIONS: You must wear your California fishing license where it is readily visible above the waist.

SPECIAL REGULATIONS: Minimum size of 16 inches. Only artificial lures or flies with barbless hooks may be used. The limit is two trout.

SPECIAL REGULATIONS: On the hike into Kirman Lake, you will pass Junction Reservoir, which is closed to fishing. Kirman Lake tributaries are also closed to fishing.

SPECIAL NOTE: On weekends and holidays, you can expect to find a good number of fly fishermen in float tubes on the lake.

SPECIAL NOTE: Most of the lake's fishermen voluntarily practice catch and release fishing.

SPECIAL NOTE: This lake will close to fishing on Oct. 31.

FOR INFORMATION: Call the Region No. 2 office of the California Dept. of Fish and Game at (916) 358-2935 during regular hours or Ken's Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport, Calif. at (760) 932-7707.