Emigrant Wilderness

Fishing season runs from the last Saturday in June through November 15 unless otherwise restricted. Peak angling activiy happens in July, August, and September. The ice-out period (e.g., late June to early July) is optimal for actively feeding trout and fewer people. The first big snow typically closes the area by late October.

 

Camping

Wilderness Permits

Permits are required for all overnight trips into the Emigrant Wilderness. For more information about entering the Emigrant Wilderness go here.

Bears & Your Food

The National Forests recommend bear-resistant canisters and panniers as the best methods of food storage in the Emigrant Wilderness.

 

Fly Fishing the Emigrant Wilderness

Fly Fishing for Trout in the Emigrant Wilderness takes you to High Sierra Lakes

The 113,000 acre Emigrant Wilderness is bordered by Yosemite National Park on the south,the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest on the east, and State Highway 108 on the north. The wilderness area resides within California's Sierra Nevada mountains and stretches about 25 miles in length and up to 15 miles in width. Containing the headwaters of both the Stanislaus and Tuolumne Rivers as well as over 100 lakes, the fishing opportunities are endless.

Emigrant Wilderness is home to California Golden Trout

Elevations range from below 5000 feet near Cherry Reservoir to 11,570 feet at Leavitt Peak. Precipitation averages 50 inches annually, 80 percent of it in the form of snow. Snowpacks typically linger into mid summer, sometimes later following very wet winters. Summers are generally dry and mild, but come prepared for afternoon thundershowers and nighttime temperatures dropping below freezing. The mosquitoes in the Emigrant Wilderness can also get thick near wet areas during June and July.

Trout Fishing in the Sierra Nevada

A number of established trailhead provide access to the Emigrant Wilderness. You can access the Emigrant from Bell Meadow, Bourland Meadow, Box Springs, Crabtree, Coyote Meadow, Eagle Meadow, Gianelli, Kennedy Meadows, Waterhouse and Sonora Pass. 

Rainbow Trout caught in the Emigrant Wilderness in California

Fishing Gear - What to Bring

As a multiday backpack, you'll want to keep your fishing gear as simple and light as possible. A 7.5 to 9 ft., 3 or 4 weight fly-rod combined with at least a matching floating line is a must-have. If you want to fish streamers in the deeper water, then also pack a reel or spool with a fast sink-tip line. I would also pack at least two extra 7 to 9 ft. leaders in the 4X to 6X range along with tippet spools. Thankfully, the flies you'll need are light, so bring several of each! You'll want to bring the fly patterns I've listed here - Fly Patterns for the High Sierra.

Sierra Nevada mountains reflecting on Huckleberry Lake in the Emigrant Wilderness

Trout Lakes in the Emigrant Wilderness

Besides being a remote, rugged mountain wilderness in the heart of the Sierra Nevada, the Emigrant Wilderness holds snow fed lakes with wild trout throughout its length. In one person's life-time, it would be impossible to fish them all. (But, certainly a life well sent if you could afford to.) The goal here isn't to provide a complete inventory of all the lakes in the Emigrant Wilderness. But rather cover a handful of lakes which can be accessed within one day's hike of the trailhead and requiring just one base-camp.

Fly Fishing Emigrant Wilderness for Rainbow Trout in California

The Emigrant Wilderness Lakes profiled on The Ecological Angler will be:

  • Huckleberry Lake - Coming Soon