Q-Tip: Try Fremont Lake

Fremont Lake is about a seven mile hike (one-way), off California S.R. 108 (The Sonora Pass Highway).

HOW TO GET THERE: Drive south from Carson City on U.S. 395 for 66 miles to its junction with the Sonora Pass Highway (S.R. 108). Turn onto the Sonora Pass Highway and drive west for about six miles to the U.S. Forest Service Leavitt Meadows Campground.

NOTE: From the campground, backpacker parking area, you will have about a 3-mile hike to reach Roosevelt-Lane Lakes. Fremont Lake is another four miles past Lane Lake.

At the campground, walk across the footbridge on the West Walker River, go about 400 yards and then take the right-hand fork of the trail. The hiking trail is well maintained and just follow it to Roosevelt Lake. Lane Lake is about 100 yards past Roosevelt Lake.

Once you pass Roosevelt Lake, you will begin a gradual ascent as you hike south.

As you travel along the West Walker River, at the far end of the "Gorge," you will reach a junction with the trail to Fremont Lake. Then you will need to cross the river. The final section of the hike is a leg-tiring, lung-testing, steep, switchbacking ascent up the mountainside to the lake.

WHERE TO FISH: From shore, fish on the far side of the lake.

From a float tube or a raft, fish along the edge of the deep drop off in the middle part of the lake.

HOW TO FISH: From shore, use Power Bait or salmon eggs on the bottom or spincast with various types of small lures, such as TOR-P-DO, Kastmaster, Mepps, Panther-Martin, etc.

From a float tube, fly fish with small artificial flies, such as Woolly Worm, Woolly Bugger, soft hackle (Carey Special), bird's nest, Prince Nymph or zug bug.

From a small, inflatable raft, troll with small, silver-colored flasher blades and worms. Or flashers with black/gold or black/silver, No. 5, floating Rapala lures. Or flashers with silver, gold or orange F-4 Flatfish lures.

WHAT YOU'LL CATCH: Rainbow trout, up to 18 inches.

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

MOSQUITO WARNING: Don't forget to take plenty of mosquito repellent or you'll be sorry. At this time of the year, the mosquitoes can be numerous and fierce.

SPECIAL NOTE: If you camp overnight, you will need a wilderness permit, as you will be in the Hoover Wilderness Area. Those permits are available from the camp host at the Leavitt Meadows Campgrounds or at the U.S. Forest Service office in Bridgeport.

FOR INFORMATION: Call the U.S. Forest Service, Bridgeport Ranger District at (760) 932-7070 or Ken's Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport at (760) 932-7707 or the Leavitt Meadows Pack Station at 530-495-2257.