If you’ve ever driven up Ice House Road past the more crowded spots, you know that Loon Lake feels like a different world. It’s high. At 6,410 feet, the air is thinner, the granite is whiter, and the water is so clear it’s almost unsettling. Most people come here for the Rubicon Trail or to hide out in the Desolation Wilderness, but loon lake ca fishing is the real reason to haul your gear up this far. It’s a 1,100-acre alpine reservoir that somehow manages to feel like a private pond if you time it right.
Honestly, the lake is kind of a paradox. It’s massive, yet the granite shelves drop off so sharply that you can be standing on a rock and have fifty feet of water right under your toes.
What You’re Actually Catching Up There
You aren't going to find warm-water slab crappie or bass here. This is a cold-water game, through and through. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) keeps this place stocked pretty heavily with rainbow trout, usually in the 10-to-12-inch range. But the real prizes are the wild ones.
The Big Browns
There are brown trout in Loon Lake that have seen it all. They hide in the deep shadows of the granite boulders and near the submerged stumps of the old forest that was flooded back in the 60s. We’re talking three-pounders being common, with some absolute tanks pushing much higher. They are notoriously spooky. If you're throwing a giant, flashy lure in the middle of a sunny day, they'll just laugh at you.
Rainbows and Kokanee
The rainbows are the bread and butter. You’ll see the stocking trucks every few weeks during the summer. But don't sleep on the Kokanee salmon. They were introduced to provide some variety, and while they aren't as famous here as they are at nearby Union Valley or Stampede, they are definitely present. They school up in the deeper pockets where the water stays icy.
Tactics That Actually Work (And Some That Don't)
Most people show up, throw out a glob of neon PowerBait, and sit in a lawn chair. Does it work? Sometimes. But the water clarity is around 36 feet. Think about that. The fish can see your 12-lb test line from a mile away.
- Go Light or Go Home: Use 2-lb or 4-lb fluorocarbon leaders. It makes a massive difference.
- The Mid-Day Myth: In the Sacramento Valley, you have to fish at dawn. At Loon Lake, the water stays so cold that the bite often peaks between 10 AM and 2 PM. I’ve had days where 7 AM was dead quiet, but noon was a literal feeding frenzy.
- Trolling vs. Shore: If you have a boat, troll the edges of the old river channel. If you’re on the shore, head to the north side near the inlets.
The bottom of this lake is basically a graveyard for tackle. It's all granite slabs and old timber. If you’re using a downrigger, keep a pair of wire cutters handy. You will snag eventually, and sometimes it's better to lose the weight than to tip the boat.
The Best Baits for 2026
- Kastmasters: Silver/Blue or Gold. These are classics for a reason. They cast a mile and mimic the small minnows.
- Panther Martins: Go with the yellow body and red dots.
- Salmon Eggs: If you’re fly fishing or using a light drift rig, natural cured eggs are hard to beat when the rainbows are picky.
- Mini Jigs: A 1/32 oz white or marabou jig under a slip float can be deadly for the browns hanging near the rocks.
The Seasonal Reality Check
You can’t just roll up here in March and expect to fish. Well, you can, but you'll be walking on top of the water. Loon Lake freezes solid most winters. The road (Ice House Rd) is usually plowed, but the access to the boat ramp and the campgrounds is often buried under ten feet of Sierra snow until June.
Spring (June - Early July): This is the sweet spot. The ice has just melted, the fish are hungry, and the water is rising from the snowmelt.
Summer (July - September): Great for families, but the wind can be brutal. By 1 PM, the "Loon Lake chop" usually kicks in, making it tough for small kayaks or rowboats.
Fall (October - November): This is when the big browns get aggressive as they prepare to spawn. It’s chilly, but the crowds are gone.
Logistics: Getting There and Staying Sane
Loon Lake is located about 45 miles east of Placerville. You take Highway 50 to Ice House Road and just keep climbing. It's a winding road that eats brake pads for breakfast, so take it slow.
There is a developed boat ramp near the main campground, but it’s pretty basic. There aren't any docks to tie up to for long periods, so be prepared to beach your boat or pull it out. There are about 30 parking spaces for trailers, and they fill up fast on weekends. If you want a bit more privacy, there’s a "boat-in" campground called Pleasant Campground on the far side. It’s one of the coolest spots in the Sierras, but you have to earn it.
Regulations and Licenses
You need a standard California fishing license if you're 16 or older. The limit is usually 5 trout, but always check the current CDFW handbook because rules for the Rubicon River drainage (which feeds the lake) can sometimes be different than the lake itself. Barbless hooks aren't required in the lake, but honestly, it’s a good habit to have if you’re doing catch and release.
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A Quick Word on the Environment
The granite around Loon Lake is beautiful but fragile. Because there isn't much soil, human impact sticks around for a long time. Pack out your line. Those little snips of monofilament are death traps for the ospreys and eagles that hunt here. Also, bears are a very real thing. If you’re cleaning your catch at the shoreline, don't leave the guts in the shallows near the campsites unless you want a 400-pound visitor at 2 AM.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
- Check the flow: SMUD manages the water levels. If they are drawing down the lake for power, the boat ramp might be high and dry. Check the SMUD website before you leave.
- Gear Up: Bring 4-lb test line and a variety of small spoons.
- Watch the Wind: If the whitecaps start forming, get off the water. The lake is deep and cold; it’s not a place where you want to go for an accidental swim.
- Explore the Inlets: If the main lake is slow, hike toward the Buck-Loon tunnel or the Pleasant Lake trail. The moving water often holds more active fish.
Loon Lake isn't the easiest place to fish in California, but that's why it's worth it. You have to deal with the altitude, the wind, and the snaggy granite, but when you hook into a wild brown trout with the Sierra peaks reflecting in that crystal-clear water, you’ll forget all about the lost lures.