Independence Lake
Independence Lake is a hidden gem in the high sierra and a great option to beat the heat this summer. There’s not too many places left in California where you can catch native trout in a pristine setting that are accessible by road.
Nestled in the mountains at just under 7,000 feet elevation, the lake’s water keeps cold and clear all year long. Independence Lake is located between the towns of Truckee and Sierraville off the hwy 89 corridor. It’s roughly a 20 minute drive via dirt road off the main highway.
The lake holds one of only two native wild lake-based populations of Lahontan Cutthroat Trout left in California. This, the fact that it’s a holding lake for some of the most pristine drinking water for the Truckee River watershed, among other factors, led to the purchase of the lake by the Nature Conservancy in 2010 from Nevada Energy. This purchase will help ensure that the lake will remain undeveloped and pristine for generations to come.
Lahontan Cutthroat are native to the lake and still abound in good numbers and size. There are also Kokanee salmon, brook trout and some brown trout left in the lake. Fishing regulations call for only barbless hooks and artificial lures. All Cutthroat must be released but you are allowed to keep five Kokanee, brook or brown trout. The goal is to eradicate, or at least knock back, these invasive species that were introduced in the early 1900’s to create less competition for the native cutthroat. Anglers are not allowed to fish in any of the tributaries flowing in or out or within 300 feet of the mouth of any tributaries leading into or out of the lake. These regulations are in place to protect the spawning LCT. In the spring this is a great place to observe spawning Cutthroat Trout. Anglers are not the only ones these spawning fish attract. Bears, eagles, osprey and other wildlife target these fish and can often be seen doing so.
Photo courtesy of The Nature Conservancy Nevada Chapter