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.

Lake 10315, Kings Canyon National Park, California

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

The Sphinx and trail to Paradise Valley, Kings Canyon National Park, California

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.

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

Route up hillside to Lake 10315, California

Climb from Woods Creek to Lake 10315

Sierra Fishing Destinations

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Making Your Way to Lake 10315

The shortest route to Lake 10315 is from the trailhead at Road's End in Cedar Grove, a popular destination for visitors to Kings Canyon National Park. To reach Cedar Grove drive east from Fresno on Highway 180 to Grant Grove and then down the park road to Cedar Grove, about 80 miles.

Anyone intending to head to Lake 10315 should allow at least 5 or 6 days backpacking in the wilderness. The 18-mile hike involves more than 5000 feet of climbing, best divided into 2 or more days. There are so many other wonderful places to visit in the area, you will not want to limit your fishing to just this one lake. Make it part of an excursion of the Rae Lakes area or even consider doing the famous Rae Lakes Loop. Wilderness permits are required. During the summer you should reserve your permit ahead of time.

The first day begins easy for about three miles and then becomes a strenuous climb on switchbacks leading into Paradise Valley. Three camping areas are designated in the valley. Camping at the Upper Paradise site puts you 9 miles beyond the trailhead.

The second day's trail leads up Woods Creek through Castle Domes Meadow and on to the junction with the John Muir Trail after about 6.5 miles. Across the Woods Creek bridge is a popular Muir Trail camping area. Finding a decent campsite once you leave the trail junction is difficult for the next 3.5 miles. You may want to go all the way to Dollar Lake or Arrowhead Lake where beautiful, lakeside campsites can be found.

The outlet stream from Lake 10315 is 1.5 miles up Woods Creek's South Fork from the John Muir Trail junction. You can climb up to the lake from either side of the stream. Pick your way up the hillside with care. In a few places you may need to use your hands to help your balance on the rocks, but mostly it is just an uphill hike. Near the top stay on the right (west) side of the outlet creek.

Lodging and Camping

In Cedar Grove you will find a small lodge, a counter-service restaurant, store, and visitors center along with several campgrounds. During the summer reservations for lodging or camping are advised. There are no gas stations in Cedar Grove. More accommodations and campgrounds are found back at Grant Grove when you first enter the park and in adjoining Sequoia National Park.

The first backpacking sites are in lower Paradise Valley, 6 miles from the trail. In Paradise Valley you must camp in one of the three designated areas: lower, middle, and upper. There you will find numbered campsites, bear boxes, and even an outdoor toilet at the lower two camping areas.

Beyond Paradise you can camp almost wherever you please (following their rules about being 100 feet from water, etc.). Good sites are found about two miles above Paradise Valley, about a mile above Castle Domes Meadows, at the John Muir Trail Junction, and around all the lakes from Arrowhead Lake to Rae Lakes. Camping is limited to two nights in many of these areas. Campsites can be found along Woods Creek, but they tend to be small and less appealing than other locations.

California's Best Camping

For complete information about campgrounds in Kings Canyon and Sequoia, see

Fishing Supplies

On your way to the trailhead at Cedar Grove, you can pick up fishing supplies at the following places:

Cedar Grove store
Grant Grove store
Fisherman's Warehouse, 4320 W. Shaw Ave, Fresno
California Bait and Tackle, 4516 E. Belmont Ave, Fresno
Sportsman's Warehouse, 1650 W Visalia Pkwy., Visalia

High Sierra Trails