I might be up at Mt. Tam this weekend and was wondering if any of you guys have fished Lagunitas or the surrounding lakes recently. I know it's managed by the DFG as a wild trout fishery but reports I've read here and elsewhere seem to indicate that the quality of fishing doesn't really correlate with its status. If anyone has any information or tips I'd really appreciate it and thanks!
The fact that they don't allow watercraft makes it difficult to fish the lake. There is brush is growing up to the water's edge, blocking some of the best-looking areas.
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"Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught."
I fished Alpine Lake just below Bon Tempe and Lagunitas about a month ago. The best action on these lakes is for bass and blue gill. However, with the weather cooling the trout may be more active near the water surface. I have heard there is a deep water ledge at the southeast end of Lagunitas that often produces trout on buggers fished off a sink tip. I would recommend fishing in the a.m.; later in the evening the wind is miserable. The Marin Municipal Water District enforces a no human contact rule, so wading is not an option. The Water District rangers are also no joke (I had my license fixed to a backpack which I removed while fishing; I was given a rather stern reminder to keep it visible above my waist).
Lagunitas is great lake during the week, but it can get a little crowded on the weekends. I usually ride my bike up the hill with my fly rod and a collapsible spincaster. You can use the fly rod to roll cast into the deeper water. The southeast corner of the lake is good and the small fingers on the north side usually produce. I have used similar flies to Putah with success. Poohpahs, red brassies and micro mayflies. If the area is windy I break out the spincaster and put on a kastmaster. A silver and orange kastmaster has produced fish on every cast. Remember single barbless hooks only at Lagunitas.
Thanks a lot for the info guys. Might not have time to fish this time but I'll definitely take a look at the lake and might come back later in the winter. Otter, what size trout do you usually catch there?
Just about all the fish are planters and as you know those fish are in the 12" range. I have caught a few holdovers in the 16" range, but they are rare. I do have to say the fishing is much better and a lot more fun on Putah.
This is my backyard. Fishing is great when they stock it...terrible when they do not. Early season "fresh off the planter bus" always elicits good mornings and lot's of fish...plus a ton of "old timers" who have great stories to tell and catch a lot of these fish.
By mid summer most of these dumb stockers have been taken by fish eagles, disease and or meat fishermen who just take and take until there's nothing left.
I bike and hike through there all fall and see few if any risers this time of year...stick with Putah, better fishing...that is until the "panter bus comes a ringin'"
