Notes: Upper NF Mokelumne: The Upper North Fork Mokelumne river has snow until May. After the snow melt, the best fishable periods are June and July before the river becomes low and quite clear. The headwaters of the North Fork Mokelumune is the outlet from Highlands Lake at 8,554′ elevation and the river flows for 28 miles southwest to Salt Spring Reservoir at 3,993′ elevation. The Upper North Fork Mokelumne river used to receive about 1200 rainbows around the campgrounds, Bloomfield and Hermit Valley. This stocking was discontinued in June of 2018 when the river received a “Wild and Scenic River” designation. The Upper North Fork Mokelumne contains Rainbows, Brookies, and an occasional Brown. All of these are wild populations.
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Alpine Lake (179 acres) elevation 7200 feet was constructed in 1885. It consists mainly of Rainbows in the 8-15 inch range as well as some up to 24 inches. The DFG plants over 15,000 rainbows annually into the lake. Alpine Chamber of Commerce adds another 1,000 lbs. of trophy rainbows 3-10 lbs as well as the Alpine Fish and Game Commission. It has access with a trail running around the perimeter of the lake. Many fish the lake with bait and trolling hardware is popular. It is also an excellent lake in which to float tube. Bugger patterns are popular as well as dry midge patterns and mosquitos, particularly in the morning and evening hours. During August, a damsel fly hatch comes off within the shallows. Try using a damsel nymph with a callibaetis nymph dropper with a Type II sinking line. The Callibaetis hatch will continue on through October. The wild fish are generally within the flats as the planted trout are schooled within the middle of the lake. (Click the area of Alpine Lake within the above map for a more detailed map)
Kenney Lakes is a real treasure in that a number of trout species can be caught within a relatively small area. Within a 8 mile hike from either side of Highway 4 at Kinney Reservoir, you have an opportunity to catch: Rainbows, Lahonton x Rainbow Hybrids, Paiute Cutthroats, Brookies, and Goldens. Kenney Reservoir, as well as, the Upper and Lower Kinney Lakes were created during the late 1890’s by a group of farmers who farmed downstream along the EF Carson River. They dammed a tributary of Silver Creek to form the lakes and constructed a concrete dam on Lower Kinney in 1926. The dam on Upper Kinney was completed in 1990. (Click the area of Kenney Lakes within the above map for a more detailed map) Kinney Reservoir: (33 acres) at 8,353 feet elevation. The Reservoir is planted with Rainbows and Brookies , size 9-11 inches. The Reservoir can be fished by float tube and is often fished from shoreline by bait fishermen with easy access from Highway 4. The reservoir is drawn down heavily through the summer, so CDFW plants only about 2,000 trout in the early summer.
Lower and Upper Kinney Lake: Lower Kinney is 36 acres at 8500′ and Upper Kinney is 18 acres at 8700′. Both are best fished from a float tube. Upper and Lower Kinney lakes are stocked with Lahontan X Rainbow hybrids. Most of the fish are in the 10-15 inch range although there have been some 20 inch lunkers reportedly caught as well. The lakes are a short one mile hike from Kinney Reservoir. Camp sites are available, particularly around Upper Kinney on the western side. Midges and emergers are popular particularly during low light conditions. Streamers will also provide good action using a Type III sinking line to get down to 4-8 feet. During midday, fishing can be difficult due to high winds.
Highland Lakes: Two lakes, the lower, at 8584′ elevation, feeds the NF Mokelumne and the higher, at 8613′ elevation, feeds Highland Creek which flows into Spicer Reservoir. The road is usually closed until May due to snow. The lakes have been known as a good Brookie lake that was planted with fingerlings annually by CDFW. In 1996, a survey found Yosemite toads in the lake’s drainage and the decision was to stop planting brookies. The lake continues to have a self-sustaining Brookie population in the 8-10 inch class. Highland Lakes are generally fished from a float tube.
Mosquito Lakes: Two small and shallow lakes (4 acres) located next to Hwy 4 at the Pacific Grade Summit. It is heavily planted so there are plenty of trout. The lower lake has more weeds and can be fished better by fly rods. About 2,000 9-11 inch rainbows are stocked within these two lakes annually. Alpine County also puts in 3- 5 lb. brood trout for trophy catches.
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| Fishing RegulationsAlpine Lake and Kinney Lakes: Open all year. No restrictions. 5 trout per day. 10 trout in possession. Other Lakes and Reservoirs: Open all year. No restrictions. 5 trout per day. 10 trout in possession. Upper NF Mokelumne:
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. All creeks and tributaries: 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.
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