Fishing Lower Kinney Lake
Ebbetts Pass - Alpine County
Lower Kinney Lake is a wonderful fishing destination hidden away back in the woods about a mile from Highway 4, which crosses Ebbetts Pass in Alpine County, California. Most fishermen like the convenience of Kinney Reservoir, which is adjacent to Highway 4; but by walking a mile along a dirt road you can reach the much-less-often-visited Lower Kinney Lake and spend a day working its shores. Nearby Upper Kinney Lake is only a half mile farther along the road. (All three lakes are actually reservoirs, serving as water supply.)
Lower Kinney Lake and Upper Kinney Lake have both brook and Lahontan cutthroat. Fly fishing and spin casting alike produce good results, especially at the sheltered upper ends of the lakes. At Lower Kinney Lake I did my best fishing in the southeastern cove. At the upper lake I saw fishermen doing well working from the rocks along the base of the cliff on the southern side of the lake. All the lakes can be fished from float tubes; except be wary of strong afternoon winds.
Lower Kinney Lake
Lower Kinney Lake (the largest of the three lakes, 495 acre feet) is situated at an elevation of 8,500 feet while Upper Kinney Lake (320 acre feet) is about 200 feet higher. The Pacific Crest Trail skirts the western edge of the upper lake, making it a popular camping location for backpackers. However, few of them ever venture down to Lower Kinney Lake.
Sidetrips
If you enjoy hiking, head south on the Pacific Crest Trail and try your luck fishing for brook trout at Noble Lake. It's a 3-mile hike from the PCT parking lot on Ebbetts Pass with only a few hundred feet changes in elevation.
Another good destination is west on Highway 4 in Hermit Valley. The Mokelumne River meanders through the meadow there, offering some nice fishing spots along its bank. The fence is intended to keep stock inside, not to keep anglers out. There are several primitive camping areas along the river. Adventurous fishermen might decide to follow the river on downstream from Hermit Valley.
Other Nearby Featured Trips in on Ebbetts Pass:
- Silver Creek - a lively stream, best mid to late summer
- Highland Lakes - great fishing with easy access, camping available right next to the lakes
Upper Kinney Lake
In My Creel
- #16 Adams
- #14 Royal Coachman
- #14 Gray Hackle
- #16 Olive Elk Hair Caddis
- Panther Martin
- 3/8 oz. Kastmaster
- 1/3 oz. Daredevle Skeeter
For fishing in Lower Kinney Lake I was concerned about how the wind would affect my fly casting, so I carried spin casting outfit along with my fly rod. At the sheltered western ends of the lakes fly casting was not a problem. The Panther Martin proved as reliable as always, especially late in the day.
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Recommended Books, Lures, and Flies for Fishing Kinney Lakes
- High Sierra Fly Fishing : Basics to Advanced Tactics This is the book I go back to again and again to improve my Sierra fishing skills.
- Mepps Lure Assortment Available in a variety of sizes, perfect for Sierra lakes and streams.
- California's Best Fly Fishing: Premier Streams and Rivers from Northern California to the Eastern Sierra, Chip O'Brien. An up-to-date guidebook, complete with maps, detailed descriptions of fishing locations, analysis of the seasonal differences which affect fishing, and fly patterns.
- Flies Direct Elk Hare Caddis Olive Assortment Trout Fishing Flies (1-Dozen) Hand-Tied By Professionals Who Take Great Pride In Their Craftsmanship .
Upper Kinney Lake
