North Lake
North Lake Kayak, Canoe, SUP & Kayak Fishing Information
Just a short distance west of Bishop along State Route 168, the environment changes from high desert sage and arid climate of the wide open Owens Valley floor to an alpine wonderland of pine forest, rushing streams and gorgeous deep-blue lakes surrounded by jagged mountain peaks of the Eastern Sierra.
Well maintained roads lead to three out
of the four major lakes. North Lake is located at
the end of a steep, narrow dirt road (proceed with
extreme caution especially after a recent rain).
The Piute Pass Trail leading into the John Muir Wilderness begins at the North Lake Campground one-half mile beyond North Lake. Parking is located near the Bishop Pack Outfitters station. No boat rentals or services of any kind are offered at North Lake. While the lake is the smallest of the four in Bishop Creek Canyon, it doesn’t fall short of natural beauty or great trout fishing. This is the perfect retreat for kayak fishing, relaxing and soaking in the sun and natural beauty. NOTE: You have to hand portage your kayak twenty feet or so through overgrown underbrush.
|
The Ultimate Paddlers Guide to 264 Extraordinary Flat Water Destinations in California. BUY HERE Kayaking California's Flat Waters is the most beautiful and informative resource available for California paddling enthusiasts. |
 |
Get your fishing gear packed and leave the city behind; North Lake Campground is just the place to get away for a long weekend. It offers breathtaking scenes, cold mountain water loaded with an abundance of big trout. Brown, Brook, and Alpers (hybrid) trout are also taken here.
The lake has good shore fishing access and is heavily stocked with rainbows by the California DFG and with Aplers by Adopt-A-Creek. For more information on the Adopt-A-Creek planting schedule call: Ph: 760 873-4483
| Average Temp |
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| High | 54 | 58 | 64 | 72 | 81 | 92 | 98 | 96 | 96 | 88 | 760 | 62 |
| Low | 22 | 20 | 31 | 36 | 44 | 51 | 56 | 54 | 55 | 47 | 47 | 27 |
Open: The lake and campground are usually open June 5th through September 12th. During the wintertime the lake access road is closed due to snow.
Fees: There is a fee to camp, but no day use or
launch fees.
Lake Facilities: North Lake offers breathtaking scenes, cold mountain water loaded with quality trout and hiking along the John Muir Trail-Pacific Crest Section. Swimming is allowed if you are brave enough to take a plunge in the icy-cold water.