Photo of Lake Spaulding, Nevada County, CA

Nevada County Fishing

Dave's Sierra Fishing

Sierra Fishing Destinations

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Nevada County Fishing

Nevada County offers a broad variety of fishing destinations for anglers of all interests. On the western slope of the Sierra the Middle Fork of the Yuba River (paralleling Highway 49) and the Bear River (paralleling Interstate 80) mark Nevada County's northern and southern borders respectively.

A number of large reservoirs such as Bowman Lake and Spaulding Lake (shown above) are found in the high country on the west side of the summit, while to the east are Prosser Creek Reservoir and Boca Reservoir, both popular as fishing destinations. The Truckee River flowing out of Lake Tahoe is world-renowned for its fly fishing.

Many of the featured trips in this guide are in the Grouse Ridge area. Its popularity comes from its relatively easy terrain and its multitude of lakes. Located north of Interstate 80 off Highway 20, Grouse Ridge's most heavily used access points are at Grouse Ridge Lookout, Carr Lake, Lindsey Lake, and Sawmill Lake. Anglers could set out from any of these points and spend all day fishing from lake to lake.

Donner Lake

Crooked Lake

2½-mile hike in the Grouse Ridge area
Fly fishing and spin casting
Other lakes nearby

Fordyce Creek

Adventurous hike to fish upstream from Lake Spaulding
Rainbows, brooks, and browns

Glacier Lake

3.2-mile hike from Grouse Ridge lookout
Good overnight destination with the possibility of landing golden trout

Lower Lola Montez Lake

3.3-mile hike near Soda Springs, gaining 735'
Makes a nice overnight destination to introduce children to backpacking

Milk Lake

1-mile descent from Grouse Ridge Lookout
One of the best fly fishing lakes in Grouse Ridge

Penner Lake

3 miles in Grouse Ridge, moderate terrain
Visit other nearby lakes
My favorite fishing lake in all of Grouse Ridge

Round Lake

Easy 2-mile jaunt in Grouse Ridge area.
Combine with trips to Milk Lake and Crooked Lake

Fordyce Creek

Recommended Books, Lures, and Flies for Fishing Nevada County

High Sierra Fly Fishing: Basics to Advanced Tactics A great book for fishing Sierra lakes and streams. Covers everything from beginning to advanced tactics.
Mepps Plain Lure Assortment Trouter Kit Spinner blades are silver or gold plated, copper, or polished brass .
Top Trails: Sacramento: Must-do Hikes for Everyone, Steve Evans. Covers hikes from California's Sacramento Valley to the Sierra, including a section on Grouse Ridge.
Panther Martin Best of the Best Trout Lures Kit. Three of their most popular colors in two of our most popular sizes. Razor sharp treble red hooks mimic wounded fish.
Fly Fishing Trout Flies | Essential Flies for Trout | Hand-Tied Dry Flies, Nymphs, Streamers 32 of the most proven Trout flies, well-known for their timeless fish-catching effectiveness.

Sierra Fishing Destinations

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Scattered Lakes and Reservoirs

Near Grouse Ridge are a number of small lakes and reservoirs that offer good fishing. Most are accessible by car, some only by 4-wheel. On the Bowman Lake road Fuller Lake is a popular fishing stop. Nearby are Rucker Lake and Blue Lake, while farther back the Bowman Lake Road and then up a rutted dirt road you find Weaver Lake. Part of the lake is private property, but the public side offers at least one very nice camping spot.

Far out the dirt road past Bowman Lake you will find Sawmill Lake and the Faucherie Lake. Despite their remoteness, they are popular in the summer. If you hike to other lesser visited lakes such as Weil Lake you will have better luck fishing.

At lower elevations are popular fishing spots such as Rollins Lake and Scotts Flat Lake. Sections of the Bear River are known as productive fishing waters.

Not to be overlooked, of course, is sparkling Donner Lake on the east side of Donner Summit, easily accessible off Interstate 80. Although the lake can be challenging to fish at times, experienced anglers have good success. Hiring a local fishing guide is an excellent way to learn the waters and improve your skills.

High Sierra Trails

Sabrina Basin Waterfall

Nevada County Campground Highlights

On the western slope campgrounds can be found at Scotts Flat Lake and along Highway 20.

A unique camping choice is Inn Town Campground on the outskirts of Nevada City. The campground has sites for tents and RVs and trailers as well as some comfortable Glamping sites (canvas tents on wooden platforms, complete with real beds, linens, and electricity.)

Around Grouse Ridge are several good campgrounds which make great base camps for fishing the nearby lakes. Campgrounds are also available at Donner Memorial State Park, Prosser Creek Reservoir, and Boca Reservoir.

California's Best Camping

For complete information about campgrounds in Nevada County and beyond, see

Fishing Supplies

A good selection of fishing supplies, camping gear, and food can be purchased in Nyack, only a few miles west on Interstate 80 from the Highway 20 junction. The store is open 24 hours a day. A gas station and Burger King are located there also. If you are coming up Highway 49/20, stop in Grass Valley at Reel Anglers Fly Shop at 760 South Auburn St.

In Truckee find everything you need at Trout Creek Outfitters, 11320 Donner Pass Road, or at Mountain Hardware and Sports, 11320 Donner Pass Road.