Fishing at Kings Canyon's Lake 10315
Kings Canyon National Park
Lake 10315 is tucked against the foot of 12,905-foot Mt. Clarence King in a hanging valley, miles from any road or trail, in Kings Canyon National Park. The few anglers who have reached this beautiful lake have backpacked for at least two days, climbing more than 5,000 feet along rugged high Sierra trails. The final two miles are cross-country, up a steep hillside above Woods Creek. This un-named lake is known only by its elevation marked on maps - 10315.
The few who visit Lake 10315 do so as a side-trip from the John Muir Trail, which leads up Woods Creek to the popular Rae Lakes. John Muir Trail hikers are usually more intent on covering the miles ahead of them than diverting up a rocky hillside to an unnamed lake. For anyone camped along Woods Creek with a day to spare, however, Lake 10315 is worth the hour and a half climb. Bring your camera, your fishing rod, your lunch and plan to arrive at sunrise. You'll want to spend the whole day at this pristine mountain lake fishing for rainbow and brook trout.
Early Morning at Lake 10315
Sidetrips
- Baxter Lakes: Rarely visited Baxter Lakes offer excellent fishing, especially in the hour before sunset. The trail to Baxter Lakes cuts off the John Muir Trail at Dollar Lake. The un-maintained trail climbs about 900 feet to the lakes in 3 miles.
- Dollar Lake, Arrowhead Lake, Rae Lakes: The series of lakes all have great fishing, mostly for brook trout. You could spend a week there, moving from lake to lake, and not grow tired of the spectacular scenery and the easy fishing.
- Paradise Valley: The ever-changing South Fork of the Kings River through Paradise Valley is another excellent place to spend time fishing.
Other Featured Trips in Fresno County
- Bear Creek - fishing begins as soon as you hit the trail
- Bubbs Creek - Fish your way up Bubbs Creek in Kings Canyon National Park.
- Evolution Valley - a multi-day backpack trip from Florence Lake
- Graveyard Lakes - basecamp at 9800' and fish all day
- Rose Lake - a high alpine lake close to Sandpiper Lake
Paradise Valley Trail and the Sphinx in the Distance
In My Creel
- Berkley Gulp Salmon eggs
- Panther Martin
- Super Duper
- Royal Wulff
- Yellow Humpy
- Adams
- Kings River Caddis
Although I spent most of my time fishing at Lake 10315, I couldn't pass up fishing at many of the places I fished as a youth when I first hiked in this area. I brought along fly fishing gear, a spin casting outfit, and a few hooks with bobbers. Salmon eggs worked well in the pools along Woods Creek. For the lakes all the way up to upper Rae Lake, I used flies and lures with great success.
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Recommended Books, Lures, and Flies for Fishing in Kings Canyon National Park
- Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks: Your Complete Hiking Guide, Mike White. An excellent guide to Kings Canyon National Park, including detailed maps, trail descriptions, and photographs. Trip descriptions include the John Muir Trail. Learn about the best campsites, the giant Sequoias, swimming spots, and much more.
- High Sierra Fly Fishing : Basics to Advanced Tactics A great book for fishing Sierra lakes and streams. Covers everything from beginning to advanced tactics.
- 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.
- FISHINGSIR Fly Fishing Flies Kit - 64/100/110/120pcs Handmade Fly Fishing Lures - Dry/Wet Flies,Streamer, Nymph, Emerger with Waterproof Fly Box - Large selection of flies includes trusted patterns (such as Adams, Woolly Bugger, Elk Hair Caddis, Griffith's Gnat, Stimulator, Egg Fly, etc.) used by anglers around the world.
Middle Rae Lake
Climb from Woods Creek to Lake 10315
