The Golden Trout lakes offer a scenic getaway just out of the Gallatin Valley Canyon. The aptly named Golden Trout Creek, a 9-mile tributary of the South Fork Kern River that starts in the High Sierra Nevada flows through the Golden Trout Creek Volcanic Fields, is a key location for California golden trout. It is the ancestral home to the Volcano Creek Golden Trout and this particular area has the purist strains. trailhead (10,040'), it is a 4.5 mile hike to Cottonwood 1 at 11,008'. of Volcano Creek, representing a decrease of 95% from historical numbers. Steve and his buddies' quest for golden trout was a success. Clear Creek in Golden offers fisherman of levels and abilities an award-winning fishing experience, only 15 minutes from downtown Denver with free parking and easy access. Pool after Pool Invited a Cast. Cottonwood Lakes #1,2,3, and 4 are Catch & Release only. At this point the fishing got rather good. Cottonwood 2: 5 acres at 11,030 feet. The Wind River Mountains have the largest Golden Trout in the world. Consists of Golden Hybrids.Cottonwood 5: 20 acres at 11,160 feet. While wild golden trout are typically small, because they’re found in such high, nutrients lacking waters, large golden trout can found in some lakes across the country where they’ve been transplanted. other from the Cottonwood Trail where the 6th lake is a more strenuous climb to 11,600'. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used. Consists of Volcano Creek Goldens (Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita) and EASY ACCESS. Golden Trout – A Timeline for Conservation The historic distribution of California golden trout includes two watersheds draining the Kern Plateau of the southern Sierra Nevada Mountain range in California: Golden Trout Creek and the South Fork Kern River. The golden trout is California’s state freshwater fish. The creek has about 14 miles of fishable water from just below Rocky Basin Lakes at 10,500 feet to above Volcano Falls next to the Kern River at 7,500. Volcano Creek is a tributary into Golden Trout Creek above Volcano The first fishable waters occur at the top of Ramshaw Meadows, close to the proximity of Golden Trout Creek. From Lone Pine, drive west on Whitney Portal Road 3.5 miles to Horseshoe Meadow Road and turn left. Detailed information on Golden Trout Creek's native California golden population along with a map and directions to access this remote Sierra Nevada stream can be purchased here. Later, some of the Goldens were transplanted from Cottonwood Creek to Cottonwood Lakes which the DFG used as a Golden Trout Brood Stocking program. A lava flow from the Groundhog Cinder Cone at Tunnel Meadow flowed down Golden Trout Creek about 10,000 years ago and divided the watershed. Family Fishing Lake 2 ha. 4.5 miles from trailhead. At present, only 400-2,600 ‘pure’ California Golden Trout remain in their native habitat in 5 km (about 3 mi.) The California golden trout is closely related to two rainbow trout subspecies. 8 miles from trailhead. Inyo County, Southwestern portion, in all waters bounded by the Inyo County line on the south and west, Independence Creek on the north (open to fishing), and Highway 395 on the east: First Saturday in Mar. Golden trout lakes is a 5-mile rout trip hike with the opportunity to fish for Golden Trout. 4.6 miles from trailhead.Consists of Golden Hybrids. This allows the Goldens to spawn during the Spring without fishing pressure. The Golden Trout Creek drainage flows roughly 19 miles total moving south and then west from the Cirque Peak-Siberian Pass area of the southern Sierra Nevada. California golden trout Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful trout in the world. The typical rainbow and brown trout caught in the Loyalhanna are in the 10 to 15 inch range. Cottonwood Lakes 1, 2, 3 and 4 and their tributaries. the Sierras. Next morning we moved camp up river five miles to our exit trail up Rattlesnake Creek. ©2006 - 2019 The Ecological Angler Rapids, cascades, and sheer falls of large proportions and natural beauty follow each other in a series of drops. Since these fish put Golden Trout Creek at risk in maintaining genetic purity, they have been removed by gill netting in 2001 to 2003. You thought a California Golden didn’t get bigger than 10”, right? May consists of Goldens but is now managed as "fishless" by DFG. Falls. No restrictions. The Kern here and for some miles upstream is populated with good sized, feisty Kern River Rainbows who rose gladly to a well presented dry fly. Dry Flies:Parachute Adams #12Elk Hair Caddis #14-16Stimulator #12 Madam X #10-12 Royal Wulff #12, Nymph Flies:Pheasant Tail Nymph #14-18Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear #14-18Prince Nymph #14-18Bird's Nest #14-18Bird's Stonefly Nymph #8-10Copper John, Black #18-22, Streamer Flies:Muddler Minnow #8-10Woolly Bugger, Black or Olive #8-10. Cottonwood Lakes are under special regulations. This lake has been suggested to receive pure strains of Goldens.Hidden Lake: 6 acre lake at an elevation at 10,850. 5 trout per day. It kept the flow from Golden Trout Creek westward to the Kern River. Cottonwood Pass. These lakes were planted with Golden Hybrids from the Cottonwood spawning program. Pound for pound they fight better than any other trout. next to the Kern River at 7,500. 4.5 miles from trailhead. Golden Trout from Golden Trout Creek were introduced to the headwaters of Mulkey Creek in 1872 by Samuel Mulkey. An Adobe PDF document will be made available with your purchase. Longest golden trout … Consists of Goldens, Brookies, and Browns.South Fork Kern River: About 11 miles from trailhead over Mulkey Pass. No restrictions. High Lake: 6 acres at 11,500 feet. About 10.25 miles from the trailhead over Cottonwood Pass.Funston Lake: This lake is close to Rocky Basin Lakes but is on the other side of the divide at Boreal Plateau. through Nov. 15. open at least one lake and 25 miles of stream each year. Trout from Mulkey Creek and introduced them to Cottonwood Creek. into the lake system and contaminated the gene pool. The Golden Trout is also known as the California Golden Trout and is native to Golden Trout Creek, Volcano Creek, and the South Fork Kern River. California golden trout are native to two stream systems on the eastern side of the Kern River: Golden Trout Creek and the South Fork Kern River (Tulare County). It has been introduced in hundreds of lakes and streams outside the native range, though most of these populations did not last or hybridized with cutthroat trout and other subspecies of rainbow trout. Fishing reports in California. These fish are native to the upper South Fork of the Kern River and Golden Trout Creek in the southern Sierra-Nevada Mountains of California and were historically found in about 450 miles of stream The creek has about 14 miles of fishable water from just below Rocky Basin Lakes at 10,500 feet to above Volcano Falls Consists of Golden Hybrids. Around 1890, E.H. Edwards and others However, during that 30 year period, Rainbow Trout made their way Mulkey consists of abot 8 miles of stream. Golden Trout Creek was instrumental in providing the brood stock of most Goldens planted throughout It is 303,511 acres (1,228.3 km 2) in size and was created by the US Congress in 1978 as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. 10 trout in possession. 0 trout. Fish have not been removed from this lake and it consists of Golden Hybrids, some of them are known to be of large size.Volcano Creek: About 14.5 miles from the Cottonwood Trailhead. 5 trout per day. through Nov. 15. best Golden Trout fishing opportunities within the Wind River Mountains. Cirque Lake: 7.5 acres at 11,060 feet. Brood Hatcheries were established within the Cottonwood Lakes. 10 trout in possession. Select Return to the Ecological Angler to view and save your purchase. The paved road is usually open May through October. Consists of Golden Hybrids. You can find the golden trout at elevations from 6,890 to 10,000 feet above sea level. Get scientific based angling intel in The EcoAngler Report - Golden Trout Creek. The Dept of Fish and Game was under mandate of the Calif Wild Trout program to Continue 20 miles to the Cottonwood Lakes trailhead (not the nearby Horseshoe Meadow trailhead). It is typically found in the Golden Trout Creek, which is a tributary of the Kern River, the South Fork Kern River, and Volcano Creek, which is a tributary of Golden Trout Creek. Consists of Golden Hybrids. A golden rainbow trout is shown at the Huntsdale State Fish Hatchery in Carlisle, Pa. Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019. hooks with a limit of 5 fish. The guys did a "shakedown trip" to ensure their gear and legs were ready for the challenging adventure. Cottonwood 3: 25 acres at 11,045 feet. This stream and its tributaries were designated by the California Department Fish and Game Commission as A Wild Trout water in 1997. Golden Trout Creek offers native golden trout as well as an amazing alpine meadow in Big Whitney Meadow and canyon settings in the lower section. All lakes and tributaries within the Cottonwood Drainage require artificial lures or flies with barbless GONE FISHING. In 1965, an estimated 40,000 California Golden trout inhabited Golden Trout Creek and the South Fork Kern River. The contamination nullified the lakes as a source for pure strains of Goldens and pressure was created to open the lakes to fishing. The trail follows the creek through Mulkey Meadows, then you'll need to follow the creek down to the SF Kern. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used. However, 100% pure strains were found within Volcano Creek and these populations are being protected from further intrusions. The lower section – running west of Tunnel Meadows to its confluence with the Kern River – is markedly different. Consists of Golden Hybrids. Secondly, they are the most beautiful trout imaginable. Be sure to check out our full guide on Trout Fishing Tips. All the color was coming from Golden Trout Creek. No restrictions. From the Cottonwood Pass Trailhead you can reach:Golden Trout Creek: Starts at the headwaters of Big Whitney Meadow and Rocky Basin Lakes. 5.0 miles from trailhead. Located in a park on the east of the town, with an adjacent caravan park. 13 of these fish were transported to Cottonwood Creek in 1876. Join us as we discuss the California Fishing License options, fishing rules and fishing regulations. From its headwaters to its intersection with the western end of Tunnel Meadows, the creek drops about 1,300 to 1,600 ft. What you may not know is that the golden trout was also stocked in Colorado back in the 70s and 80s. The “ Golden Mile” of Clear Creek is a popular spot to fish for trout, including browns, brook, cuttbow, cutthroat, and rainbow. Yet some very large trout come out this stream too. They don’t. Kern River Rainbows. state since 1918. There are also campspots with fire pits if you want to make it an overnight. These two factors combined opened the lake system Cold inflows and deep holes and hideouts allow many of the trout to remain in the creek year round. Golden Trout Creek: Starts at the headwaters of Big Whitney Meadow and Rocky Basin Lakes. 5.8 miles from trailhead. Get the latest fishing conditions, water flows, weather, maps, guides, and fishing access in California Pine City native Keith Youngs was on a fishing trip to Stony Fork Creek Campground near Wellsboro when he hooked a hefty golden rainbow trout. Game and Fish helicopter-stocks Upper Tayo, Lower Tayo, and Upper Deep Creek lakes with pure golden trout every two to four years. Naturally reproducing Golden Trout/Cutthroat Trout hybrids occur in Coon, Middle Deep Creek, and Lower Deep Creek lakes. The fishing at Cottonwood Lakes is so spectacular at certain times of the year. Listen to the Cast & Spear Podcast Goldens that inhabited Cottonwood Lakes were a source for Golden stockings to other areas within the Consists of Golden Hybrids. The first 5 are within an easy walk of each Golden Trout Creek is a stream located just 25.9 miles from Lone Pine, in Tulare County, in the state of California, United States, near Mineral King, CA. Lastly, they only reside in very remote high mountain pristine lakes. The Pictures don’t do them justice. Trout by Calif Fish and Game. 5 trout per day. Long Lake: 7 acres at 11,135 feet. 5.0 miles from trailhead. 4.0 miles from trailhead. It is the state freshwater fish of California. May consists of Goldens but is now managed as "fishless" by DFG.Cottonwood Creek: Spring Creek with pockets and pools. Longest Colorado River cutthroat trout (catch-and-release category): 14 inches caught by Brian Olsen at Current Creek Reservoir on Sept. 5. took 50 Golden Trout from Cottonwood Creek and introduced them to the fishless Cottonwood Lakes. The golden trout is normally found in the Golden Trout Creek (tributary to the Kern River), Volcano Creek (tributary to Golden Trout Creek), and the South Fork Kern River. to fishing in 1998. 6 miles from Trailhead. The Cottonwood Lakes are the land of the giant Goldens. Coloration is spectacularly bright: the belly, opercula, lower jaws, and lateral line are a vivid red to red-orange. About 8 miles from the trailhead over : (1) Cottonwood Creek and tributaries upstream from the confluence of South Fork Cottonwood Creek, (2) Little Cottonwood Creek and tributaries, (3) South Fork of Cottonwood Creek and tributaries, and (4) The unnamed tributary flowing through Horseshoe Meadow. 4 volcanic centers have been identified at the Golden Trout Creek volcanic field. Its confluence with the Kern River is within the Kern River Canyon just inside the boundary of Sequoia National Park. SUBSCRIBE NOW $3 for 3 months. It is the State Freshwater Fish of California and has long been recognized for its unparalleled beauty. The golden trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita) is a subspecies of the rainbow trout that is native to Golden Trout Creek, Volcano Creek and the South Fork Kern River. The Volcano Creek Golden trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita), also referred to as Golden Creek Golden Trout, has been isolated for tens of thousands of years above impassable barriers in … The WGFD helicopter-stocks Upper Tayo, Lower Tayo, and Upper Deep Creek lakes with pure Golden Trout every two to four years. to hybridization with non-native Rainbows. : July 1 through Nov. 15. This spring, Pennsylvania will begin stocking streams and creeks with golden rainbow trout as part of a plan to release more "trophy" trout prized by anglers. The Golden Trout is native to the southern Sierra Nevada, including the upper reach and tributaries of the South Fork of the Kern River, and Golden Trout Creek and its tributaries. Consists of Golden Hybrids. Off-road parking, picnic tables. Golden offers fabulous fishing options for spin casting and fly-fishing from the shore or boat, and even ice fishing in the winter. The golden trout is also native to Golden Trout Creek and Volcano Creek, which can offer some great fishing for goldies. Toowa valley is a broad and open valley about 8600 feet high, dotted with cones rising 100-200 m above the valley floor. Lower South Fork Lake: 5 acres at 11,640 feet. Open all year. 5 trout. May consists of Goldens but is now managed as "fishless" by DFG.Cottonwood 1: 7 acres at 11,000 feet. The SF Kern was directed eastward to the main river channel. fishing from 1966 to 1998 while the lakes were used as breeding ponds for Golden Records show that Cottonwood Creek was fishless until 1876 when Colonel Sherman Stevens brought 12 Golden 4.3 miles from trailhead. California golden trout. Those fish are very small anyway. 10 trout in possession. The lakes had been off-limits to Planning a trip to Golden Trout Creek? Cottonwood Creek main stem between mouth of Little Cottonwood Creek and South Fork of Cottonwood Creek. The creek has two Golden Trout Wilderness is named after California’s brightly colored state fish. It's interesting to note that these two streams are within 1/4 mile of each other and flow in opposite directions to the Main Kern and South Fork Kern within Tunnel Meadow. Not true. Others believe that some accidental mixing with Rainbow Trout occurred at the Mt Whitney hatchery and the fingerlings were returned to Cottonwood Lakes. 5 miles from Trailhead. Alternate names for this stream include Whitney Creek and Volcano Creek. Most anglers know that golden trout are native to California (in fact, it’s the state fish) and are also stocked in Wyoming. Genetic testing has shown that the purity of most of the Goldens within the Golden Trout Creek is 93-96%. It is managed as a Family Fishing Lake and stocked with advanced yearling rainbow trout and golden perch for special events (see Introduction). Catching golden trout is the pinacle in wild trout fishing, and for good reason. Valid XHTML & CSS. Cottonwood 6: 5 acres at 11,600 feet. Starting at the However it occurred, the planting of Golden Trout throughout many of the high elevation lakes during this period were from these contaminated sources, estimated to be 83-88% pure. These rare fish are native to the Southern Sierras and often found between 7,000 and 10,000 feet elevation.The upper reaches of South Forks of the Kern, Golden Trout Creek, Volcano Creek and its tributaries are full of these fish. There are 6 numbered-lakes within the Cottonwood Lake system. Designated a Wild Trout Stream by DFG. In this relatively level section of Golden Trout Creek, the water flows gently with the occasional rapid, and small cascades boosting the current and the oxygen level of the water. Consists of Golden Hybrids.Cottonwood 4: 20 acres at 11,150 feet. (The section pictured above illustrates the changes including more willows along the creek and more large rocks throughout it's course.) Mulkey Creek: About 5 miles from Cottonwood Trailhead over Mulkey Pass. Results show that the Tayo and Deep creek-drainage lakes near Wind River Peak currently offer some of the best golden trout fishing opportunities within the Wind River Mountains. Some believe that an accidental aerial drop of rainbows fingerlings may have been the culprit. Golden-Rainbow Hybrids in the upper elevations.Rocky Basin Lakes: Series of 4 lakes at an elevation of 10,800 feet. Barriers have been erected at Ramshaw Meadows, Templeton Meadows, and upper Monache Meadows (Schaeffer Barrier) to help the Goldens retain habitat. Most of the same techniques used for fishing for trout at lower elevation lakes will work for fishing for Golden Trout. About 8 miles from the trailhead over Cottonwood Pass. Good num- 01:40 6 miles from trailhead. Light leaders (usually 4 pound test or less) and a stalking approach are needed as the fish can see out of the lakes extremely well. 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