Basics
- Location:
- 15 miles north of Susanville
- Setting:
- Forest, Desert
- Size:
- 24,000 acres
- Max. Depth:
- 85 feet
- Elevation:
- 5100 feet
- Season:
- Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through December 31
Description
Eagle Lake, named for its large population of ospreys and bald eagles, is the second largest of California's natural lakes, wide and deep, but its size is not its primary attraction. Though home to only a limited selection of fish species due to its alkaline conditions, Eagle Lake is the only place where rainbow trout flourish naturally. Fish typically grow to about 1 1/2 pounds, but can get up to 9 pounds and 5 to 7 pound fish are prized, and not unusual, catches.
The shoreline is as beautiful as anglers will find the fish, with a shoreline that takes in both pine and cedar growing close and green. The northern end is desert, high-elevation scrub. And all the shoreline, north and south, is rocky and well-sheltered, perfect for fishing.