Highland Lakes fishing
Highland Lakes
Trout fishing is particularly popular in the Highland Lakes. Anglers can expect to catch rainbow, brown, and brook trout, with rainbow trout being the most prevalent. Bass fishing is also a popular activity, with both largemouth and smallmouth bass present in the area. Catfish can be caught throughout the year, but are most active during the summer months.
To increase chances of catching fish, anglers should try using lures that imitate the natural food sources of the fish, such as small jigs or worms for trout, and topwater lures for bass. Live bait, such as nightcrawlers and minnows, can also be effective.
The best time to visit the Highland Lakes for fishing is typically between late spring and early fall, with the average temperature ranging from 70-80°F. During the summer, anglers may want to fish early in the morning or later in the evening when the water is cooler, as fish tend to be more active during these times.
Aside from fishing, the Highland Lakes also offer a variety of activities for visitors. Hiking trails can be found throughout the area, offering scenic views of the surrounding mountains and wildlife. Camping is also available in the nearby national forests, with several campgrounds located within a short drive of the lakes.
What's biting at Highland Lakes
Species commonly reported here -- tap any card for techniques, target seasons, and other waters where it's been caught.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Highland Lakes -- updated continuously from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| E F Carson R Bl Markleeville C Nr Markleevilleca | 475 cfs | → |
| Leviathan C Ab Mine Nr Markleeville Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Leviathan Mine Adit Drain Nr Markleeville Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Leviathan C Channel Underdrain Nr Markleeville Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| 4l C Nr Markleeville Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Aspen C Abv Leviathan Mine Nr Markleeville Ca | 0 cfs | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest campgrounds, parks, boat launches, and reservoirs so a fishing run can grow into a weekend.
Campgrounds
- Highland Lakes Campground
- Highland Lakes
- Bloomfield 2
- Bloomfield I
- Bloomfield Campground
- Sherrold Lake
Parks
- Heenan Lake Wildlife Area
- Toiyabe National Forest
- Wildlife Area Slinkard / Little Antelope
- Wilderness Carson-Iceberg
- Grover Hot Springs State Park
- Wilderness Mokelumne
Reservoirs
Boat launches
- Summit Lake Trail Alpine County
- Indian Creek Camp Ground Day Use Area
- Amador County
- Topaz Park Road Douglas County
- Ramp Road Mono County
- Forest Route 1n04, Groveland
Paddle runs
- Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Middle Fork Stanislaus
- Headwaters To Wilderness Boundary
- Highway 4 To Salt Springs Reservoir
- Source Sec 24, T6n, R21e To Centerville Flat
- Headwaters To Confluence With East Carsonriver
- Confluence With Clark Fork To Donnell Reservoir
Angling safety & ethics
- Know the regulations
- Check local fishing rules, seasons, size limits, and license requirements to ensure legal and sustainable angling.
- Handle fish responsibly
- Use wet hands, minimize air exposure, and release fish gently to improve survival rates when practicing catch-and-release.
- Choose the right gear
- Match your rod, line, and tackle to the species and conditions to increase success and reduce unnecessary harm to fish.
- Respect the waterway
- Avoid disturbing habitat, prevent bank erosion, and keep a safe distance from spawning areas to protect ecosystems.
- Keep it clean
- Pack out all line, hooks, bait containers, and trash. Discarded gear can injure wildlife and degrade waterways.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Highland Lakes as a favorite, set a custom threshold (water temperature, streamflow, snowpack), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Highland Lakes
What fish species are found at Highland Lakes?
Snoflo tracks the species commonly reported at Highland Lakes -- see the Fish Species panel above for the live list with images and links to per-species pages.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data comes live from USGS streamgauges, also refreshed continuously.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this area, set a threshold (water temperature, streamflow, snowpack), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Do I need a fishing license?
Yes. Check your state agency's regulations for license requirements, seasons, size limits, and any waterbody-specific rules before fishing Highland Lakes.
How do I get to Highland Lakes?
Tap Open in map in the hero above to center the Snoflo interactive map on this area, or grab the coordinates from the location facts panel.
Other angling spots near here
Snoflo-tracked fishing areas within driving distance of Highland Lakes.