PHOTO TO ADD
Middle Fork Feather River: forest shade and a genuine river reach.
THE FEATHER RIVER
Explore the Feather River ↗
THE LOST SIERRA
ON
THE WATER
FIELD NOTES / 05
PHOTO TO ADD
A genuine Lost Sierra fishing scene: early light, pines and a quiet cast.
PHOTO TO ADD
Lake Davis: an authentic shoreline and open-water photograph.
PHOTO TO ADD
Lakes Basin: granite shoreline, clear water and mountain pines.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF FISHING DAY
Smith and Long Lakes suit a hike-and-fish plan. Rock, Jamison, and Wades ask for more time, equipment, and mountain experience. Choose the walk as carefully as the water.
Explore Lakes Basin ↗
PHOTO TO ADD
Jamison Creek: a genuine creekside scene near Johnsville.
JAMISON CREEK / JOHNSVILLE AREA
Explore Jamison Creek ↗
TWO LAKES. TWO DIFFERENT DAYS.
LOWER SARDINE
For the boat.
Seasonal rental boats and limited shore access. No swimming. Plan around current resort services and conditions.
Lower Sardine fishing guide ↗
UPPER SARDINE
For the walk.
A rough-road hike to an undeveloped brook-trout lake. Plan it as a different outing from Lower Sardine.
Upper Sardine fishing guide ↗
BEFORE YOUR FIRST CAST
You can buy online for the days you plan to fish. Choose your dates and license type with California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Anglers age 16 and older generally need a California sport fishing license. Check current fees, any required validations, and the rules for your exact water with CDFW.
CHECK YOUR WATER, TOO
Find the exact lake, tributary, or river reach in the current rules. Check season, tackle, harvest, and any special restrictions.
Current CDFW regulations ↗
YOUR NEXT GOOD FISHING DAY
Find your
kind of water.
Compare the approach before you commit. Every guide includes access notes, a fishing starting point, and a suggestion from your hosts.
20 destinations / Drive estimates are one way. Walking time is additional.
ReservoirPortola
Lake Davis
A proper trout day, without a mountain hike.
- FROM THE LODGE
- 20–25 min
- THE APPROACH
- Roadside shore & boat launches
- FISHING FOCUS
- Rainbow trout
ReservoirEastern Plumas County
Frenchman Lake
A quieter reservoir rhythm.
- FROM THE LODGE
- Plan a half- or full-day outing
- THE APPROACH
- Developed shore access & launches
- FISHING FOCUS
- Rainbow trout
River & creekFeather River corridor
Middle Fork Feather River
Read the seams. Slow the day down.
- FROM THE LODGE
- Varies by reach
- THE APPROACH
- Legal public access; wading varies
- FISHING FOCUS
- Wild trout
First castsGraeagle
Graeagle Mill Pond
A first cast can be the whole adventure.
- FROM THE LODGE
- A short village outing
- THE APPROACH
- Village pond shoreline
- FISHING FOCUS
- Trout when stocked
Road-access alpinePlumas-Eureka State Park
Eureka Lake
Mountain water below Eureka Peak.
- FROM THE LODGE
- Allow time for the approach
- THE APPROACH
- Rough road or mapped hike
- FISHING FOCUS
- Mountain trout
Road-access alpineLakes Basin
Gold Lake
Big water in the heart of the basin.
- FROM THE LODGE
- A Lakes Basin half-day or longer
- THE APPROACH
- Public launches & selected shoreline
- FISHING FOCUS
- Trout, lake trout & kokanee
First castsSierra Buttes area
Packer Lake
A small lake. A manageable day.
- FROM THE LODGE
- A relaxed mountain half-day
- THE APPROACH
- Road access; select legal shore
- FISHING FOCUS
- Rainbow & brook trout
Road-access alpineLakes Basin
Upper & Lower Salmon Lakes
Two lakes. Two different fishing days.
- FROM THE LODGE
- Allow a mountain half-day
- THE APPROACH
- Different access at each lake
- FISHING FOCUS
- Rainbow & brook trout
Road-access alpineSierra Buttes
Lower Sardine Lake
The postcard view, with a rod in hand.
- FROM THE LODGE
- 40–50 min to the area
- THE APPROACH
- Limited shore; seasonal rental boats
- FISHING FOCUS
- Rainbow trout
Hike-in alpineSierra Buttes
Upper Sardine Lake
A short climb into a wilder basin.
- FROM THE LODGE
- 40–50 min + walk
- THE APPROACH
- About 0.5–0.75 mi each way
- FISHING FOCUS
- Brook trout
Hike-in alpineLakes Basin
Long Lake
Carry a rod. Earn a quieter shoreline.
- FROM THE LODGE
- 35–45 min + hike
- THE APPROACH
- About 1 mi each way to the lake
- FISHING FOCUS
- Wild rainbow & brook trout
River & creekJohnsville area
Jamison Creek
Small water. Close attention.
- FROM THE LODGE
- A flexible creekside outing
- THE APPROACH
- Legal public reaches; uneven footing
- FISHING FOCUS
- Small-stream trout
Hike-in alpineLakes Basin
Smith Lake
A compact hike. A whole lake at the end.
- FROM THE LODGE
- 25–35 min + hike
- THE APPROACH
- About 1.1 mi each way
- FISHING FOCUS
- Rainbow & brook trout
Hike-in alpineAbove Plumas-Eureka
Rock & Jamison Lakes
A fishing day becomes a backcountry day.
- FROM THE LODGE
- 30–40 min + substantial hike
- THE APPROACH
- Roughly 3 mi each way; route varies
- FISHING FOCUS
- Primarily brook trout
Hike-in alpineLakes Basin backcountry
Wades Lake
Go farther. Give the water time.
- FROM THE LODGE
- 30–40 min + long hike
- THE APPROACH
- About 3–4 mi each way by route
- FISHING FOCUS
- Rainbow & brook trout
Longer day tripNortheastern Plumas
Antelope Lake
Change the scenery. Change the fish.
- FROM THE LODGE
- 1½–2 hr each way
- THE APPROACH
- Developed launch & selected shore
- FISHING FOCUS
- Trout, bass & panfish
Longer day tripWest of Quincy
Bucks Lake
A bigger fishing plan. A lake afternoon.
- FROM THE LODGE
- 1 hr 20–40 min each way
- THE APPROACH
- Shore access & boat facilities
- FISHING FOCUS
- Trout, Mackinaw & kokanee
Longer day tripNear La Porte
Little Grass Valley Reservoir
Remote water that deserves the whole day.
- FROM THE LODGE
- 1 hr 45 min–2 hr 15 min each way
- THE APPROACH
- Boat ramps & shoreline trail
- FISHING FOCUS
- Trout, kokanee & bass
Longer day tripChester & Lake Almanor
Lake Almanor
A destination fishery with several moods.
- FROM THE LODGE
- 1 hr 20–45 min each way
- THE APPROACH
- Public launches; much private shore
- FISHING FOCUS
- Trout, Chinook & smallmouth bass
River & creekSierra City & Downieville
North Yuba River
Pocket water and canyon light.
- FROM THE LODGE
- 50–60 min to Sierra City; farther to Downieville
- THE APPROACH
- Legal public access along the corridor
- FISHING FOCUS
- Wild trout
01 / GEAR & LOCAL ADVICE
Mountain Hardware & Sports is a practical local stop. Ask about the exact water you plan to fish, suitable tackle, and recent conditions before heading into the mountains.
Blairsden store & contact ↗
02 / A GUIDED DAY
Lost Sierra Fly Guide offers local fly-fishing outings. Discuss your group’s experience and desired pace; confirm the chosen water, included gear, availability, and current pricing directly.
Talk with Lost Sierra Fly Guide ↗
03 / A SEASONAL BOAT
Sardine Lake Resort offers seasonal rowboat and electric-motor rentals. Reserve directly and check operating dates, requirements, and lake rules before planning around a boat.
Boat rentals & fishing ↗
Reservoir opportunities may arrive before alpine roads open. Snowmelt can make rivers cold, high, and difficult to wade.
Go early, plan for wind, and ask about water temperature. Switch plans when warm water or low flows make trout fishing a poor choice.
Cooler conditions can be rewarding. Services may close, nights cool sharply, and an early storm can change mountain access.
Snow changes roads and facilities. Do not assume a summer access point works in winter or that lake ice is safe.
01 / WHERE TO GET FISHING GEAR
Start in Blairsden.
Mountain Hardware & Sports is a local stop for sporting goods. Ask about tackle for your chosen water and confirm stock before making a special trip.
Mountain Hardware & Sports ↗
02 / THE WAY IN
Confirm the road, lawful public access, launch, and closures. A nearby road or lakeside resort does not make every bank public.
Plumas Forest access & facilities ↗
03 / THE DAY ITSELF
Ask about flows, water temperature, wind, and actual recent fishing. A planned plant is not a guaranteed delivery or catch.
Live fish-planting schedule ↗
Where should we start if we are new to fishing?
Graeagle Mill Pond suits a short first-cast outing, subject to current conditions. Lake Davis is our broader starting point for a full trout-fishing day. Choose for the least-experienced person and ask locally about recent fishing.
Do we need a California fishing license?
Anglers age 16 and older generally need a valid California sport-fishing license. Children under 16 generally do not, but fishing regulations still apply. Check current license requirements, any applicable exceptions, and the exact water’s rules with CDFW.
Which lake has fishing-boat rentals?
Sardine Lake Resort offers seasonal rowboats and boats with electric motors on Lower Sardine Lake. Confirm operating dates, reservations, and requirements directly. Lower Sardine is not a swimming lake.
Do we need a boat?
No. Designated shoreline access supports many outings, particularly at Davis and Frenchman. Some alpine shorelines are steep, brushy, or limited. Boats expand access but add weather, cold-water, and equipment decisions.
Does stocked mean we will catch fish?
No. Scheduled plants can change, fingerlings are not immediately catchable trout, and completed plants do not guarantee a bite. Use the live schedule as one planning input and ask about actual recent conditions.
Can non-anglers come along?
Yes. A picnic, a village stop, or a nearby walk can make a mixed-group day work well. Choose the shoreline and access for everyone’s comfort, and keep hooks away from swimmers, walkers, and working boat ramps.
Can we keep fish for dinner?
Only when the current rules for that exact water allow it, within the applicable limits. Check current fish-consumption advisories as well. Do not assume rules at one lake apply to its tributaries or the next river reach.
Check dates for your group, or send your hosts a question about the Lodge and the Lost Sierra.
A question. A detail. A trip taking shape.
Tell us who is coming, the dates you have in mind, and what would help you decide. Travis and Brittany are happy to help.
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