I am trying to plan a trip in the High Sierra's. Would like to find some info what lakes & streams don't contain fish anymore. I did a search of this site but just couldn't come up with anything. Trying to also avoid the controversy and just looking for info. Anyone have any results in this area? Thanks
Intrek Interestingly a surprising number of pocket waters in the Sierras have black bullheads, presumeably brought up from the Sacramento area by birds. Lakes with resident free range cattle often have no remaining native species, but the bullheads do well in the polluted water.
However any wild fish in the Sierra, or remaining plant, should be carefully released, because there are so few and their existence is threatened, especially the Golden, which I have only been fortunate enough to see a few of and never caught one. Jim
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These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.
I was researching the same topic for the high country in Mt. and Wy. I found some of the Quadrangle maps had stocking info marked for most of the lakes in those states. I did a quick search to see if the same company covered the Sierra's with no luck. you might have better luck since you have a better idea of the area. Otherwise check with the state DNR they might have the info posted.
I'm mostly interested in the area around the Silver Divide. However, It would really help assist with trip planning to have access to as much info as we can on the area's we visit on just one site. Not just fishing info, but water quality, recent burns, landslide, trail info, etc. But then again, maybe something like this would just take away from the exploration of it all.
I have yet to come across any catfish up in the High Sierra's and hope it to remain that way. If I had my way, I would reintroduce wolves back into Yosemite to help bring back a little balance. But then, that's just me. Have a Happy New Years Everyone..
After a little browsing I found this site, http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Resources/WildTrout/WT_Staff/index.asp And after a few e-mails, : MESSAGE: Hello, I am an avid backpacker and enjoy occasionally fishing on my trips. My question is, is there a map available of all the lakes not containing fish due to habitat restoration. It would just be helpful when planning our trips. Thanks for your good work.
This is no scientific study- but I hiked the Roper's High ROute this summer and many lakes had fish. In one 11-day stretch we had enough fish for dinner every night. If you simply want to catch fish to eat - no problem- they are just all quite small. If you want to catch larger fish or sport fish those who know are very closed-lipped about the location of these lakes.
The fishing sub-forum on SierraTopix forum is far superior to our fishing topic forum. There is good information there but no secrets are spilled! In general lakes off the trails are better bets than those right along the JMT or other popular trail. There are however exceptions - a LOT of JMT hikers are not fishermen.
Registered: 08/16/10
Posts: 1590
Loc: San Diego CA
I have always used the topo maps as my guide and thus far have not been disappointed. What I have learned from some working biologist's that I know is that they used to stock everything they could until somewhere in (the mid?) the 70's. So anything that freezes solid is generally no good. After that it depends upon available food sources. Half the fun is figuring it out for yourself. Pan size is what you can usually expect, but there are definitely 18" trout out there. As wandering_daisy said, go to the out of the way places/hard to get to places.
Although this was a while ago, I have always had good luck at Gem Lake off the Silver Lake Loop trial entrance. Plenty of spots to check out at that lake without getting into anybodys way.
Registered: 12/26/08
Posts: 382
Loc: Maine/New Jersey
That is a beautiful fish, I wonder if it tasted as good as it looks
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