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Notes:
Dinkey Lakes Wilderness consists of 16 lakes and numerous streams with Rainbows and Brookies. A wilderness
permit is required and can be picked up at the Ranger Station in Prather. The wilderness was established
in 1984 of 30,000 acres. Most of the wilderness is above 8000 feet elevation. The centerpiece of the area
is First Dinkey Lake at 9,150 feet elevation. First Dinkey Lake has Rainbows, Brookies, and Browns.
As in all of the Dinkey Wilderness lakes and streams, the trout do not get large but they are plentiful.
Brookies are planted by aerial drop into most of the lakes. Expect 8-11 inch classes.
You can reach First Dinkey Lake by the following Dinkey Creek.
Dinkey Creek got it's name from a little dog owned by four hunters, Joe Medley, Marion Medley, Joe Folsom, and Al Yarborough. Dinkey had a fight with a grizzly bear at this creek in August, 1863. The dog was injured and the men called the place Dinkey. Dinkey Creek is a freestone creek
with many small meadows changing the creek to a meadow stream at times. The creek is mostly known for
Brookies but also has some resident Rainbows and Browns. A trail from Dinky Creek Campground will take
you there. It is about 12 miles of trail from the trailhead with a 3000 foot gain. Another trail to the
area is by way of Courtright Reservoir where the trail follows Helms Creek. The trail is about
9.5 miles to First Dinky Lake with a 800 foot gain. Helms Creek starts at Rock Lake and is a freestone
creek with Brookies and Rainbows.
Other lakes include:
Second Dinkey Lake: (elevation: 9,650 feet), consists of Brookies.
Mystery Lake: (elevation: 8,850 feet), consists of Brookies.
Swede Lake: (elevation: 9,100 feet), consists of Rainbows.
South Lake: (elevation: 9,250 feet), consists of Brookies.
Island Lake: (elevation: 9,800 feet), consists of Goldens.
Rock Lake: (elevation: 9,600 feet), consists of Brookies.
Cliff Lake: (elevation: 9,400 feet), consists of Rainbows and Brookies.
From the trailhead at Tamarack Creek you can reach the following lakes:
West Lake: (elevation: 8,800 feet), consists of Brookies
Red Lake: (elevation: 9,000 feet), consists of Rainbows
Coyote Lake: (elevation: 9,000 feet), consists of Rainbows and Brookies
Beryl Lake: ( elevation: 8,790 feet), consists of Brookies
Tamarack Creek consists of Rainbows, Browns, and Brookies. It is also a freestone creek with a large meadow off it's southern fork, Tamarack Meadow
A 4 wd road from Dinkey Creek will take you easterly to a trailhead off of Laurel Creek. From there you can reach:
Swamp Lake: (elevation: 9,100 feet), consists of Rainbows and Brookies.
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| Fishing Regulations
Dinkey Lakes:
Open all year. No restrictions. 5 trout per day. 10 trout in possession.
Cow Creek and tributaries (Fresno Co.) upstream from Forest Service Road 9S10:
Closed to all fishing all year.
Other Rivers and Streams:
From the last Saturday in April through November 15, five trout daily bag limit, 10 trout in possession; and, from November 16 through the Friday preceding the last Saturday in April, 0 trout bag limit, artificial lures with barbless hooks only and trout must be released unharmed and not removed from the water.
Other Lakes within this area:
Open all year. No restrictions. 5 trout per day. 10 trout in possession.
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