Fishing

Big Pine Creek.
Click on the image for a larger picture. (~40 sec @56k)

To locate good high country fishing in the Big Pine and Glacier Lodge areas, turn west at Crocker Street in the middle of Big Pine, and drive into Big Pine Canyon about 11 miles.

Big Pine Creek at times runs right alongside the road, affording easy vehicle access for anglers. At road's end (just beyond where the turn-off to Glacier Lodge is posted ), the creek flows north and south into the backcountry. The California Dept. of Fish and Game stocks Big Pine Creek from Sage Flat Campground to Glacier Lodge, and the Glacier Lodge pond, with rainbow trout weekly, totalling 34,000 fish in 2001.

Parking at the trailhead to the string of backcountry lakes is free. Additional parking is located approximately 3 miles back along the road toward Big Pine. No overnight parking is permitted at the Glacier Lodge site unless you are staying there. See exceptions.

Big Pine Creek Canyon North and South Fork trails pass a chain of 15 lakes on the way to the glacier areas. These spectacular rugged glacier fed lakes are well stocked with good sized trout, the higher ones with the ever-treasured golden trout. Day hikers or riders should plan a full day for this trip.

The North Fork Big Pine Creek trail will take you to:

• A string of (8) Big Pine Lakes - ele. 9975 - 11,150 Brooks, browns, rainbows. Lake 8 has goldens.
• Black lake - ele. 10,690 Brooks, browns and rainbows.
• Hidden Lake - ele. 10,700 Goldens
• Sam Mack Lake - ele. 12,000 Rainbows
• Baker Lake, Baker Creek, and Thunder and Lightning Lake

The South Fork Big Pine Creek trail will take you to:

• Willow Lake - ele. 9600 Brooks and rainbows
• Brainard Lake
• Finger Lake
• Lake Eleanor

Fishing Links