Photo of Loon Lake, Crystal Basin, El Dorado County, CA



Loon Lake Fishing
Crystal Basin


Loon Lake Fishing

Crystal Basin - El Dorado County

Map

Loon Lake offers uncrowded fishing around a beautiful Sierra lake in the Crystal Basin of Eldorado National Forest. Loon Lake is 29 miles north of Highway 50 at a well-marked turnoff 9 miles east of Pollock Pines. Paved Ice House Road leads to the 988-acre lake. Boats can be launched from a free boat ramp near the Loon Lake Campground. At an elevation of 6,378 feet, Loon Lake receives considerable snow in the winter. Spring fishing is dependent of the weather. Every other week, beginning in May and continuing through August, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife plants rainbow trout in Loon Lake. Some brown trout are occasionally caught.

Sidetrips

Within easy driving distance of Loon Lake are a number of other reservoirs in the Crystal Basin. They are operated by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), which does a great deal to promote recreation in the basin. Among the leading fishing destinations are Union Valley Reservoir, Ice House Reservoir, Gerle Reservoir, and our favorite Wrights Lake.

Loon Lake, Crystal Basin, California

Loon Lake

Nearby Featured Trips in El Dorado County

  • Wrights Lake - a serene mountain lake free power boats.
  • Eagle Lake - less than a mile from Lake Tahoe's Emerald Bay
  • Dardanelles Lake - in Meiss Country near South Lake Tahoe, a beautiful mountain lake
  • Velma Lakes - Backpack from Emerald Bay to these wonderful mountain lakes with good fishing.

Loon Lake, Desolation Wilderness, California

Loon Lake

In My Creel

  • Panther Martin
  • Mepps Trout Lures
  • Sling Blades
  • Rapalas
  • Power Bait Natural Scent
  • South Bend Nickel/Red Head Super Duper
  • Gold and Silver Cripplures Spoons

Fishing is good all around the lake. Trolling is especially popular near the dam and near the intake tunnel from Buck Island Lake. Fishing from the shore can be productive with Power Bait north of the boat ramp.

Shop Amazon for
Trout Fishing Best Sellers




Recommended Books, Lures, and Flies for Fishing Loon Lake





Making Your Way to Loon Lake

From Sacramento drive east on Highway 50. Then 9 miles past Pollock Pines watch for the well-marked turnoff on Ice House Road, the main artery through the Crystal Basin. Expect to take a little longer than you might imagine on this paved mountain road - maybe 50 minutes to cover the 29 miles. When you reach Loon Lake turn right toward the campgrounds to find the boat launch ramp. Many good areas for fishing are accessible by vehicle all around the western and northern shores.

An alternate route is from the town of Cool on Highway 49. From Cool, drive east on Highway 193 to Georgetown and then east on Wentworth Springs Road, eventually connecting with Ice House Road, just south of Loon Lake. The entire drive from Cool is 52 miles and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Lodging and Camping

For lodging, check to see if the Loon Lake Chalet is available: Recreation.gov - Loon Lake Chalet. Owned by the Forest Service, the chalet is rented year-round. The accommodations are rustic.

Campgrounds are found all around the lake. On the southwest side of the lake are Loon Lake Campground, Loon Lake Group Campground, and Loon Equestrian Campground. On the north side are Northshore Campground and Red Fir Group Campground. For an interesting adventure, take your boat to the northeast corner of the lake to Pleasant Boat-in Campground. Check for details of each campground in the Eldorado National Forest website or check California's Best Camping (see below).

California's Best Camping

For complete information about campgrounds throughout the Crystal Basin, see

California's Best Camping website logo

Fishing Supplies

On your way to Loon Lake you can stop for fishing supplies in Placerville at Off the Hook Fly Shop, 1351 Broadway or at Mosquito Creek Outfitters, 3000 Mosquito Road. Big 5 Sporting Goods is located at 284 Placerville Drive.

Anyone coming from Lake Tahoe can find fishing gear at these locations in South Lake Tahoe.

  • Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters, 2705 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
  • Sportsman, 2556 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
  • Tahoe Bait and Tackle, 900 Ski Run Blvd., #102


High Sierra Trails

Desolation Wilderness, California

Gilmore Lake and Desolation Wilderness from Mt. Tallac

High Sierra Trails website logo