Eldorado National Forest

Recreational Activities: Fishing

Available Fishing Opportunities on the Forest

On the Eldorado National Forest, we offer the angler many opportunities to experience the fine fishing we have available. The Forest has many coldwater reservoirs, most with developed boating access ramps and campgrounds. Hundreds of lakes lie in the Desolation Wilderness and Mokelumne Wilderness for your backpacking or horsepacking enjoyment. Many are stocked by nature with reproducing brook trout. Presently most reservoirs are stocked with trout by California Department of Fish and Game, and several of our rivers on the forest are stocked with catchable trout. We offer a variety of fishing experiences for you to discover and enjoy. As you use our site, we hope you find much useful information to guide you in your fishing exploits.

Note: California Department of Fish and Game stopped stocking lakes in Desolation Wilderness several years ago as part of a study on frog species. Please direct any questions regarding stocking to them.

Reservoirs

• Bear River Reservoir
• Blue Lakes
• Caples Lake
• Hell Hole Reservoir
• Ice House Reservoir
• Loon Lake
• Silver Lake
• Stumpy Meadows Reservoir
• Union Valley Reservoir

Natural Lakes

• Gertrude Lake
• Grouse Lake
• Hemlock Lake
• Island Lake
• Lyons Lake
• Maude Lake
• Smith Lake
• Sylvia Lake
• Twin Lakes
• Wrights Lake

RIVERS

• Middle Fork Cosumnes River
• Rubicon River
• Silver Fork American River
• South Fork American River

SMALL STREAMS

• Camp Creek
• Cole Creek
• Gerle Creek
• Lower Long Canyon