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California · Fishing
Fishing near Trona, California is a niche pursuit, and that's putting it mildly. The listings here center on the Salt Evaporator, an industrial evaporation pond system tied to the mineral extraction operations that define this corner of the Mojave Desert.
3 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
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Fishing near Trona, California is a niche pursuit, and that's putting it mildly. The listings here center on the Salt Evaporator, an industrial evaporation pond system tied to the mineral extraction operations that define this corner of the Mojave Desert. This is not a weekend bass tournament destination or a place to bring a fly rod and wade a cold stream. The Searles Valley landscape is stark, alkaline, and unforgiving, and the fishing opportunities reflect that environment. If you're in the area and curious about what's actually fishable, the Salt Evaporator listings represent the local options on record. Access, water conditions, and what species if any are present can shift based on industrial activity and seasonal evaporation cycles. Anyone planning a trip specifically for fishing should verify current conditions and access permissions before making the drive out to Trona, which sits roughly 80 miles northeast of Ridgecrest on the edge of Searles Dry Lake. Come with realistic expectations, a full tank of gas, and plenty of water for yourself.
The Salt Evaporator is classified as a lake fishing site, but it is an industrial evaporation pond rather than a natural lake. Conditions here are shaped by mineral processing operations, so water levels, salinity, and fish presence can vary significantly from visit to visit.
California fishing license requirements apply broadly to freshwater and some saltwater fishing across the state, but access to the Salt Evaporator may also depend on permissions from the industrial operators who manage the site. Contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the site operators directly before your trip to confirm what's required.
Salt Evaporator
~1 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Long Valley Campground
~1h 22m drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Salt Evaporator
~1 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Salt Evaporator
~1 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Salt Evaporator
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Salt Evaporator
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Idustrial Waste Ponds
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Industrial Waste Ponds
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Industrial Waste Ponds
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Searles Lake
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Searles Lake
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Industrial Waste Ponds
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Also worth it near here
The available listings do not specify target species for the Salt Evaporator. Given the highly alkaline and mineral-rich nature of the water in this area, do not assume standard Mojave-region species like bass or catfish are present. Verify with local sources before planning a trip around a specific catch.
Desert heat in the Searles Valley is extreme from late spring through early fall, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If you're visiting for fishing, late fall through early spring offers far more tolerable conditions. Early morning is the practical window during any warmer months.
With only three listings all pointing to the same site, Trona is not a destination fishing location in the conventional sense. It makes more sense as a stop if you're already traveling through the eastern Mojave or combining it with other activities in the region, like exploring Trona Pinnacles nearby.
