Waugh Lake is a reservoir in California, near Mono County.
Waugh Lake is a reservoir in Mono County, California and covers about 179 acres, reaches about 49.4 feet at its deepest point and holds roughly 5,280 acre-feet.
A point, weed edge, or small drop is more important than simply covering the whole shoreline; pause the bait on each small drop, then separate open water from cover. Deep water at Waugh Lake gives fish room to move away from shore as summer heat and bright light build.
Fish listed for Waugh Lake include Brook Trout, Golden Trout, and Rainbow Trout.
For rainbow trout on Waugh Lake, cast a small spoon, inline spinner, light jig, or fly through cool water.
Start where two things meet: weeds and open water, rock and mud, a point and a drop, or clear water and dirty water; fish that edge at more than one depth before leaving it; search one cove before changing areas, then use one moving lure and one slow bait.
Early in the year, protected water and the first warm afternoon can be the best clues; as the water heats up, check deeper edges without assuming every fish is on the bottom; cooling fall water often makes points and firm banks useful again; test the clearest edge, then keep one slow bait ready.
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; save the heaviest tackle for deep cover; use a moving lure to search.
Record the wind, water color, depth that gave up a fish, 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; use water color to choose the first lure, then slow down after the first bite.
Explore nearby waters, including local Featured destinations. Check each page for access and fishing restrictions.
Distances are straight-line estimates between mapped water locations.