Photo of Round Lake, Nevada County, CA

Round Lake Fishing
Nevada County


Round Lake Fishing

Grouse Ridge - Nevada County

Map

Round Lake is a pleasant little fishing spot tucked away at the end of a side trail in the Grouse Ridge region of Nevada County, north of Highway 80. The close proximity of a dozen other lakes and an easy approach hike make Round Lake an attractive destination for a relaxed fishing day trip.


Sidetrips

The entire Grouse Ridge area is speckled with little lakes, many of them offering good fishing. From Round Lake you can easily hop over to nearby Milk Lake or down to Island Lake. Nearby lakes found in this guide are shown below.

Staying on the right route while moving from lake to lake can be tricky in the Grouse Ridge area, especially if you strike out cross country. Carry good maps and a compass or a reliable GPS.

Round Lake, Grouse Ridge, Nevada County, California

Round Lake

Nearby Featured Trips in Nevada County


Round Lake, Nevada County, California

Round Lake


In My Creel

  • Daredevle Skeeter
  • 1/8 oz. black/orange Panther Martin
  • Acme Kastmaster
  • salmon eggs
  • 3/16 oz. Blue Fox Vibrax spinner
  • Adams

For fishing at Round Lake, I brought along a small assortment of trusted lures, flies and baits, along with a few new ones to try out.



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Recommended Books, Lures, and Flies for Fishing the Grouse Ridge Area



Freeley Lake, Grouse Ridge,, Nevada County, California

Freeley Lake


Island Lake, Grouse Ridge,, Nevada County, California

Island Lake


Getting to Round Lake

The way to Round Lake from Highway 80 west of Donner Summit is fairly simple. Take the Highway 20 exit and follow it west 4 miles until you come to the turnoff to Bowman Lake. Follow this paved road 8.2 miles to the turnoff to Carr Lake. Travel on a slow, bumpy dirt road for 3 miles to a trailhead parking area at Carr Lake. 4-wheel drive is not necessary unless spring snow is still on the road. (34 minutes travel time from Hwy 20 to Carr Lake.)

Hike 2 miles to Round Lake, climbing 300 feet. Soon after leaving the trailhead you will pass Feeley Lake. The water level in this reservoir is drawn down in the late summer. After a short climb you will spot Little Island Lake on your left. Keep on going and you will soon see Big Island Lake, also on your left. Although it has good fishing it is a popular destination, so you could pass it by. Just beyond this lake you will come to a trail junction.

Continue toward Round Lake, following the Glacier Lakes trail. After a short, stiff climb watch on your left for glimpses of Long Lake. Soon after that you will come to a sign pointing the way to Round Lake. Forest service maps show Round Lake to the left of the trail, but it is actually to the right as shown on USGS maps.

High Sierra Trails

Buck Lakes, Emigrant Wilderness, California

Buck Lakes, Emigrant Wilderness

High Sierra Trails website logo


Lodging and Camping

After fishing all day at Round Lake, you will find lodging available at nearby Cisco Grove, Soda Springs, or Norden. For a relaxing night with plenty of good restaurants nearby, cross over Donner Summit to Truckee. There you will find a wide assortment of accommodations a plenty of excellent restaurants.

Campsites can be found at Carr Lake, Lake Spaulding, Rucker Lake, and Lindsey Lake. The best backpacking campsite at Round Lake is located at the southern end.

California's Best Camping

For complete information about more campgrounds in the Grouse Ridge area, see

California's Best Camping website logo

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.

Fishing supplies can also be found at these places on either side of Donner Summit:

  • Will Fish Tackle, 11944 Masters Ct., Auburn
  • Reel Anglers Fly Shop, 760 South Auburn St., Grass Valley
  • SPD Market, 735 Zion St., Nevada City, California
  • Mountain Hardware, Exit 85 to Donner Pass Road, Truckee
  • Truckee River Outfitters and Fly Shop, 10200 Donner Pass Road, Truckee
  • Cabela's, Interstate 80 at Boomtown, Nevada