Blue Lake Fishing

Sabrina Basin - Inyo County

Beautiful Blue Lake is the first lake encountered by hikers as they ascend into the spectacular Sabrina Basin. With an elevation of 10,380 feet, Blue Lake is home to a hearty population of rainbow and brook trout. Although the 3.5-long trail could be achieved as a day hike, the climb of 2,150 feet from the trailhead is a strenuous trek that is best enjoyed as a weekend backpacking outing.

Set in the John Muir Wilderness, Blue Lake features a long shoreline with numerous granite outcroppings that provide convenient locations for casting, with lures, bait, or flies. Trees along the eastern and western shores offer many comfortable spots for camping. For those making longer stays at Blue Lake, a number of other wonderful lakes such as Baboon Lakes and Dingleberry Lake make rewarding day trips from camp.

Inlet at Lower End of Blue Lake

Recommended Lures, Books and Maps for Fishing Baboon Lakes

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.
Fly Fishing Eastern Sierra Streams Where to Go, What to Use, and How to Get There, Mike Brown. Great book detailing the best streams in the Eastern Sierra. Color Photographs.
Secrets of Sierra Fishing: Yosemite and the Southern Sierra Nevada Jack Holder describes many of the best roadside trout fishing locations, including Mammoth Lakes, the June Lake Loop, and Sabrina Lake.

Blue Lake

In My Creel

#14 Adams Parachute
#16 Red Quill
#16 Adams
#16 tan Elk Hair Caddis
#16 gnat
#16 Blue Olive Parachute

I like to fly fishing throughout the Sabrina Basin whenever I am in there, catching fish in nearly every lake. I usually have good luck at the upper end of Blue Lake and along the accessible portions of the less-often fished southern shore. As usual, the Adams proved successful along the with gnat.

Sidetrips

Nearby Dingleberry Lake is a 1.5-mile hike along a trail cutting off from the Blue Lake trail about midway along its shore. Dingleberry is known for great fishing, especially at the upper end near the inlet. Another enjoyable side trip follows the main trail up from Blue Lake to the cluster of Baboon Lakes about 1.5 miles to the south. Read details on my Featured Trip to Baboon Lakes.

Dingleberry Lake

Other Nearby Featured Trips in Inyo County

Bottleneck Lake - a steep cross country climb up from Dingleberry Lake
Hungry Packer Lake - spectacular scenery, top fishing spot farther up the trail from Dingleberry Lake
Marie Louise Lakes - an easy hike from South Lake to great fishing

Also see in Eastern Sierra Fishing Maps: Bishop Creek

Sierra Fishing Destinations

HOME

The Trail to Blue Lake

Lake all the other destinations in Sabrina Basin, the trail to Blue Lake begins at Lake Sabrina. From Bishop on Highway 395 in Inyo County, drive west on Highway 168 nineteen miles to Lake Sabrina. Be sure to park before you reach the No Parking signs near the end of the highway. You can park on the shoulder of the highway or in the designated parking area. The trailhead is still about a half mile up the road where there is no overnight parking.

The first mile of the hike is rather easy, climbing slowly away from Lake Sabrina. Soon the trail steepens, crossing two streams that can be slightly challenging early in the season. After the first stream the trail has a number of switchbacks and steps. The challenging uphill climb continues with short sections of relief and longer stretches of uphill.

Eventually the trail levels out and the lower end of Blue Lake comes into view. That spot makes a nice place for a rest, maybe some lunch, and perhaps a test of the waters with your fly or lure. You could set up camp there if you choose.

The trail continues along the western shore of lake, passing several alluring fishing spots. Part way down the lake pass the side trail leading to Dingleberry Lake. Farther on the trail veers slightly away from the lake and passes several nice camping spots. Other locations can be found around the upper end of the lake. Continuing on the trail leads to Baboon Lakes.

Accommodations and Supplies:

There are a number of resorts in the Bishop Creek drainage below Lake Sabrina. Among them are Bishop Creek Lodge, Cardinal Village Resort, and Parchers Resort over by South Lake. Campgrounds are plentiful along Bishop Creek: Sabrina Campground, Forks Campground, Bitterbrush Campground, Big Trees Campground, and others. Dispersed camping is not allowed along Bishop Creek.

California's Best Camping

For complete information about campgrounds in the Eastern Sierra, see

Fishing supplies can be purchased locally at the following places:

Lake Sabrina Boat Landing
High Sierra Tackle, Bishop
Brock's Flyfishing Specialists, Bishop
Sierra Trout Magnet Fly Shop, Bishop
Culvers Sporting Goods, Bishop
Parchers Resort, South Lake