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California · Fishing
Inyokern sits at the edge of the southern Sierra Nevada, and while the town itself is high desert, it puts you within reasonable striking distance of a cluster of backcountry lakes that most California anglers never bother to reach.
9 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 9 spots
Inyokern sits at the edge of the southern Sierra Nevada, and while the town itself is high desert, it puts you within reasonable striking distance of a cluster of backcountry lakes that most California anglers never bother to reach. The fishing around here is almost entirely lake fishing — think alpine and subalpine lakes tucked into the Golden Trout Wilderness and the Sequoia National Forest. Big Five Lakes, Little Five Lakes, Wright Lakes, Coyote Lakes, and Lake South America are the names you'll see on topo maps and trail registers. Crytes Lake rounds out the list on the quieter end. None of these are drive-up spots. Getting to most of them means a multi-mile hike with elevation gain, which is exactly why they hold fish and don't get hammered the way roadside waters do. Long Valley Campground offers river fishing and works as a base camp for some of these routes. If you're coming from Inyokern, plan for the approach — trailheads in this zone typically require a Kern River Ranger District permit during peak season, and the hikes range from moderate to genuinely demanding depending on your starting point.
The lakes in this zone — Big Five, Little Five, Wright Lakes, Coyote Lakes, Lake South America, and Crytes Lake — are alpine and subalpine waters in the southern Sierra that historically support trout. Golden trout are native to this part of the Sierra Nevada and are present in some of these waters, though stocking schedules and wild populations vary by lake and year. Check current conditions with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife before your trip.
A valid California fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older. Many of these lakes fall within the Golden Trout Wilderness, which requires a wilderness permit for overnight trips during quota season, typically late spring through early fall. Day hikers fishing these waters should still check current regulations with the Kern River Ranger District, as rules can vary by specific water body.
Whitney Portal
~28 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Buckeye Flat Campground
~33 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Sentinel Campground
~50 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Lone Pine
~32 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Wishon
~34 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Grouse Valley Cabins
~38 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Wishon Cabin
~35 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Crytes Lake
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Belknap
~36 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Johnson Lake
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Quaking Aspen Cabin
~36 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Big Five Lakes
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Most of these destinations are not casual day hikes. Big Five Lakes and Little Five Lakes in particular involve significant mileage and elevation gain from the nearest trailheads. Wright Lakes and Coyote Lakes are similarly remote. If you're not comfortable carrying a pack over rough Sierra terrain, start with Long Valley Campground, which offers river fishing with much easier access.
A lightweight pack rod in the 7 to 9 foot range works well for alpine lake fishing. Small spinners, dry flies, and small nymphs are standard for Sierra trout. Because you're hiking in, keep your tackle minimal and prioritize weight. A valid fishing license, a California fishing regulations booklet, and a bear canister for overnight trips are all practical necessities.
The high-elevation lakes near Inyokern are typically accessible from late June through October, depending on snowpack. Early morning fishing tends to be most productive on calm days before afternoon winds pick up, which is common in the Sierra. Avoid planning a trip before the snow has cleared the passes — call the Kern River Ranger District or check trail conditions online before committing to a date.
