Golden-Rainbow Hybrids in the upper elevations.Rocky Basin Lakes: Series of 4 lakes at an elevation of 10,800 feet. 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. At present, only 400-2,600 ‘pure’ California Golden Trout remain in their native habitat in 5 km (about 3 mi.) 5.0 miles from trailhead. ©2006 - 2019 The Ecological Angler 6 miles from Trailhead. The paved road is usually open May through October. What you may not know is that the golden trout was also stocked in Colorado back in the 70s and 80s. Cottonwood Lakes 1, 2, 3 and 4 and their tributaries. Good num- Select Return to the Ecological Angler to view and save your purchase. In 1965, an estimated 40,000 California Golden trout inhabited Golden Trout Creek and the South Fork Kern River. The Golden Trout lakes offer a scenic getaway just out of the Gallatin Valley Canyon. Lower South Fork Lake: 5 acres at 11,640 feet. 10 trout in possession. At this point the fishing got rather good. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used. All the color was coming from Golden Trout Creek. The first fishable waters occur at the top of Ramshaw Meadows, close to the proximity of Golden Trout Creek. Lastly, they only reside in very remote high mountain pristine lakes. 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 8 miles from trailhead. Cottonwood 2: 5 acres at 11,030 feet. 6 miles from trailhead. Between the mouth of Little Cottonwood Creek and South Fork of Cottonwood Creek, Catch & Release only. Fishing reports in California. Taking the Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead from Horseshoe Meadow, you can reach the following local lakes and streams:Muir Lake: 8 acre lake at an elevation at 11,010. May consists of Goldens but is now managed as "fishless" by DFG.Cottonwood Creek: Spring Creek with pockets and pools. 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. 4.5 miles from trailhead. The Golden Trout Wilderness is a federally designated wilderness area in the Sierra Nevada, in Tulare County and Inyo County, California.It is located 40 miles (64 km) east of Porterville, California within Inyo National Forest and Sequoia National Forest.. The Dept of Fish and Game was under mandate of the Calif Wild Trout program to Some believe that an accidental aerial drop of rainbows fingerlings may have been the culprit. Valid XHTML & CSS. Join us as we discuss the California Fishing License options, fishing rules and fishing regulations. Goldens that inhabited Cottonwood Lakes were a source for Golden stockings to other areas within the Others believe that some accidental mixing with Rainbow Trout occurred at the Mt Whitney hatchery and the fingerlings were returned to Cottonwood Lakes. The WGFD helicopter-stocks Upper Tayo, Lower Tayo, and Upper Deep Creek lakes with pure Golden Trout every two to four years. GONE FISHING. Naturally reproducing Golden Trout/Cutthroat Trout hybrids occur in Coon, Middle Deep Creek, and Lower Deep Creek lakes. Alternate names for this stream include Whitney Creek and Volcano Creek. Cottonwood 6: 5 acres at 11,600 feet. From Lone Pine, drive west on Whitney Portal Road 3.5 miles to Horseshoe Meadow Road and turn left. The fishing at Cottonwood Lakes is so spectacular at certain times of the year. One major point to keep in mind is that high lake waters are normally very clear. Golden Trout Creek, a large tributary of the upper main stem (North Fork) Kern River, supports a healthy population of the 0 trout. Pound for pound they fight better than any other trout. It’s the state fish of California. They don’t. took 50 Golden Trout from Cottonwood Creek and introduced them to the fishless Cottonwood Lakes. The season begins Starting at the to hybridization with non-native Rainbows. An Adobe PDF document will be made available with your purchase. Longest Colorado River cutthroat trout (catch-and-release category): 14 inches caught by Brian Olsen at Current Creek Reservoir on Sept. 5. The first 5 are within an easy walk of each Golden Trout Wilderness is named after California’s brightly colored state fish. The California Golden Trout is often cited as being the most beautiful of the salmonids. The golden trout is also native to Golden Trout Creek and Volcano Creek, which can offer some great fishing for goldies. Around 1890, E.H. Edwards and others Cottonwood Lakes are under special regulations. the Sierras. Steve and his buddies' quest for golden trout was a success. 10 trout in possession. Consists of Golden Hybrids.Cottonwood 5: 20 acres at 11,160 feet. Long Lake: 7 acres at 11,135 feet. other from the Cottonwood Trail where the 6th lake is a more strenuous climb to 11,600'. 10 trout in possession. 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. forks that extend about 5 miles from 9700 feet to 8300 feet elevation. Catching golden trout is the pinacle in wild trout fishing, and for good reason. The big myth about Golden Trout is that you have to go on some backbreaking hike to 11,000 ft to catch a Golden Trout. Special California Fish and Game restrictions apply when fishing in the Golden Trout Wilderness. 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