World-renowned Eagle Lake rainbow trout- magic in our own backyard!
by Dean Growdon
When I started thinking about what to write this week, Eagle Lake immediately came to mind. I knew I had to talk about this place, its legendary trout and the excitement of the upcoming opener.
Eagle Lake is a truly magical place to me. I often describe it as an inland ocean because of its vastness, wild mood swings, and unique ecosystem.
Jagged lava rock formations frame the shoreline, and the surrounding mountains glow in the shifting light of sunrise and sunset. Pelicans glide in formation, seagulls wheel and cry overhead, and eagles patrol the skies. Along the shore and in the trees, you’ll find a whole cast of other birds, while bears, deer, and other wildlife quietly move through the background. There is always something alive and moving here.
The weather and lake conditions can change in a heartbeat and, as California’s second-largest natural lake, Eagle can whip up towering, treacherous waves that look and feel more like the open ocean than a high desert lake.
Eagle Lake Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss aquilarum) are as distinctive as the lake itself—a unique form of rainbow trout native only to Eagle Lake and Pine Creek. Their history is dramatic, including a brush with extinction, and today they survive thanks to hatchery programs.
These fish grow fast, fight with the raw power and attitude of a steelhead, and their deep orange flesh is more reminiscent of salmon than your typical trout.
When I think about opening day at Eagle Lake, a rush of memories comes back. I remember fishing from the shore as a kid, my hands and feet numb from the cold, staring at my rod tip and willing it to move, hoping desperately to connect with one of these legendary fish I’d heard so much about.
I can still feel the weight and electric energy of that first Eagle Laker in my hands and the surge of pride that came with it. I think about the smell of coffee and pancakes drifting through the chilly morning air at Camp Ronald McDonald, visiting with Irene and Kenny Doyle and the other volunteers, and seeing old friends. And, of course, I remember the long, slow lines at the boat ramp—a yearly ritual in themselves. These days, I usually try to skip the chaos at the marina altogether and find a quiet stretch of shoreline instead.
If you’re planning to fish Eagle Lake this weekend, a few thoughts. Shore fishing should be good, especially in the mornings and evenings, but with the warm weather and limited snowmelt we’ve seen, the bite may shut down earlier in the day as fish slide off into deeper, cooler water.
Fly anglers should come prepared with woolly buggers stripped on an intermediate sink or sink-tip line, along with balanced leeches, scuds, and midges fished under an indicator. Keep an eye out for damsel flies as well. When the damsels start hatching, both damsel nymphs and delicate dries can turn a slow day into something unforgettable.
If you’re heading out in a boat, do everyone a favor and show up prepared. Have your gear organized, your boat ready to launch, and a game plan in mind so you can get off the ramp and onto the water quickly. Be patient in line and remember that everyone is chasing the same opening-day magic.
Once you’re out there, keep a close eye on the sky. The wind on Eagle can come from nowhere, stacking up big, breaking waves in short order and turning a carefree morning into a dangerous situation for smaller watercraft. No fish is worth taking foolish risks.
Eagle Lake is a rare place, drawing people from around the world, yet it sits right here in our own backyard. If fishing isn’t your thing, come for the changing colors on the water, the distant call of birds, and the sight of mountains and bright blue sky. Stop by Camp Ronald McDonald for the pancake breakfast, soak up the atmosphere, and watch the boats heading out into the morning light. However you choose to experience it, don’t overlook this gem we’re lucky enough to call home water. Share it with your family, and let Eagle Lake work its magic on you.
