Duck Lake

Duck Lake in Inyo County is a lake in California and covers about 17.7 acres, reaches about 19.5 feet at its deepest point and holds roughly 138.1 acre-feet.

On a water as small as this water, one weed edge or deeper pocket can hold much of the day’s activity; try the windblown bank, then match the hook and line to the named target.

Fish and Baits

Fish listed for Duck Lake include Brook Trout, Golden Trout, and Rainbow Trout.

The first rainbow trout pass on Duck Lake should cast a small spoon, inline spinner, light jig, or fly through cool water.

How to Read the Water

Use wind as a clue; a light push can carry food toward a bank, but hard wind may muddy it, so look for a clean edge near a point or protected pocket; follow the old channel through the lake, then test the drop before leaving.

Season by Season

In spring, start with warming banks, creek mouths, and shallow cover; summer usually pushes the better bite toward the outside weed edge or a nearby drop; fall can bring bait back to windblown points, while winter calls for smaller moves and a slower pace; start beside deeper water, then let a light jig fall beside the break.

A Simple Tackle Plan

A light spinning rod, thin line, a few small spoons, inline spinners, and jigs cover the listed trout; carry one slightly heavier setup when other fish or windy water call for more control; fish the edge from top to bottom; keep one slow bait ready.

Record the wind, water color, depth where fish bit, and cover after a bite; those four notes are more useful on the next trip than a long list of spots that did not produce; match lure size to the visible food, then use wind to narrow the search.