Fallen Leaf Lake

Tucked into California, United States, Fallen Leaf Lake is a lake that fishes differently season to season. Spring brings fish into the shallows to spawn or feed on early baitfish; midsummer pushes them to cooler, deeper water; autumn turns them aggressive again as they pack on weight before winter. Anglers planning a trip to Fallen Leaf Lake should check water temperature and recent weather — a sudden cold front can shut a lake like this down for a day.

Location

38.9004, -120.0618 · View on OpenStreetMap →

Species at This Spot

Cutthroat troutRainbow troutLahontan cutthroat troutBrown troutLake charKokanee salmon

Fishing Techniques

• For Cutthroat trout

  When fishing streams, cast upstream and retrieve with the current to mimic natural drift, increasing your chances of hooking wary cutthroat trout.

• For Rainbow trout

  Vary your retrieve speed when using spinners to find what triggers a strike; sometimes a slow, steady retrieve works best, while other times a faster, erratic retrieve is more effective.

• For Lahontan cutthroat trout

  Use polarized sunglasses to spot cruising trout near the surface and cast slightly ahead of their path.

Recommended Gear

Tackle commonly used to target the species at Fallen Leaf Lake.

Plan Your Trip

Before fishing Fallen Leaf Lake, make sure your licence covers California, United States and that any species-specific seasons are open. Local regulations change year to year, so check the current rules rather than going from memory.

Nearby Spots in California

See all fishing spots in California →

Other Fishing Regions in United States