Without a doubt the best kept secret in regards to excellent fishing in Lake County is Indian Valley Reservoir. Recently this gem of a lake has been providing some excellent trout action as well as bass. In fact, the next two months should see the fishing improve even more and by April the kokanee fishing should take off.
This is not a small lake, with a length of more than eight miles and a width of two miles, it has dozens of coves that harbor giant bass plus plenty of open water for trout. The good news is that the fishing pressure is practically nil.
Recently the more successful fishermen have been trolling red/gold Kastmasters or Needlefish at a depth of 10 to 15 feet. The best areas have been from the middle of the lake to the north end. Most of the fishermen have been limiting out on trout that will range in size from 14 to 18 inches.
The lake was created in 1974 as a water source for Yolo County. Trees were left standing to provide ideal habitat for the fish. Largemouth bass were taken from Clear Lake and stocked in the lake as breeder stock. Eagle Lake?strain trout were also stocked in the lake. Within five years, huge bass and trout were being caught.
Despite being more than 30 years old, the lake still hasn”t proven popular with fishermen. Although a few local fishermen treasure this lake and usually keep their success to themselves. The 12 mile dirt road into the lake also deters fishermen. Most of the local fishermen don”t want the road improved. As one local angler said, “If they improve the road then everyone will come here and we won”t have the lake to ourselves.” Actually with the exception of being a little dusty during the summer months, the road is maintained in good shape and is fine for trucks with travel trailers or RVs.
Another reason the lake receives little fishing attention is because it”s nearly impossible to get a fishing report. The local fishermen who frequent the lake stay close mouthed and the Indian Valley Store doesn”t have a telephone. This is one lake where you don”t really need a fishing report. As long as the weather cooperates the fish will bite.
The lake is stocked with trout only once a year, in October, but the trout that are put into the lake are of the Eagle Lake strain and grow to a hefty size of up to 5 pounds, with an average weight of well over a pound.
Bass fishing is excellent throughout the year with the prime time starting in late February. Starting in early March the bass will move into the shallows in preparation for spawning and by April hundreds of large bass can be seen on the spawning beds. Because the water is so clear, it”s a sight- fisherman”s dream. Bass as large as 14 pounds have come out of the lake and 5 pounders are common. The average will run between 2 and 3 pounds.
Plastic worms and white spinnerbaits are the lures of choice for the fishermen who know the lake. There are several flooded old roadbeds in the north end of the lake over which the bass will suspend. A plastic worm or spinnerbait worked over these gravel areas will usually draw an arm jolting strike. Other fishermen prefer to shake a plastic worm off the rocky points or tight to the base of the flooded trees.
Most of the fishermen visit the lake for its trout fishing. The Department of Fish and Game annually stocks the lake with about 5,000 adult Eagle Lake-strain trout. The trout feed on a rich diet of freshwater shrimp and grow rapidly. The successful fishermen troll the standard hardware like a Needlefish, Cripplure or a small Rebel minnow in the rainbow trout pattern rigged behind a small Sep”s Flasher. During the winter the trout hold near the surface so little or no weight is needed.
The lake also has a kokanee salmon, although they won”t start biting until later in the spring.
There is a campground and launch ramp at the dam, but for local anglers it”s an ideal day trip. The fee for day use and launching is $6 per day for up to three people.
To get to the lake take Highway 2o east and turn off at the Walker Ridge Road. This is a gravel road and it”s 12 miles into the lake. The lake is approximately 30 miles from Clearlake.
