The Sierras are one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in North America, and there is no shortage of places to enjoy the outdoors to take in all their natural beauty. Popular hiking and camping locations offer plenty of outdoor fun for the whole family. These bustling places are easy to find, but can lack the serenity we crave from the Sierras simply because of the congestion of vacationers they attract.
Sometimes we’re looking for that hidden gem, that back country fishing hole where we can unload our tackle box, sit back and listen to the subtle ripples of a mountain lake, the friendly chirping of birds, the deep billows of native frogs. Places like these are kept secret, hidden from outsiders, for a reason… the locals don’t want the rest of us crowding their fishing holes.
Often only the locals know of destinations like these, and normally you’d have to talk with one personally to get directions. And yet even then, they may not reveal their secret fishing spots. I want to share a few of these spectacular fishing spots with you today. 
One lake you must visit is Jackson Meadows. Tucked back in the hills just north of Truckee, Jackson Meadows is packed with kokanee, rainbow and brown trout. Many anglers find it difficult to distinguish the red-meated beauties found here from wild fish – just one more reason to love this glorious country. Jackson Meadows is not the most remote area; it’s a fair sized lake with sufficient campgrounds that may be moderately populated in the summer months. Yet it’s still considered a favorite by the locals.
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Even more hidden is Catfish Lake, which sits just south of Jackson Meadows. You can even cast a line and snatch up a grayling, which are usually found in the cold Arctic waters of Alaska and Canada. There are very, very few of these legendary fish in the high elevation waters of the Sierra Nevadas. What’s amazing is they were never planted there. In fact, fishery biologists believe the grayling came from another lake higher in the mountains. You’re lucky to snag one of these beauties.
Be sure to bring your 4WD when visiting these spots and don’t bother running through the car wash before you go either. The access roads are not for city slickers, according to the locals!
For more information on these and other recreational lakes in the Truckee area, contact Tahoe National Forest, Sierraville Ranger District, (530) 994-3401 or fax (530) 994-3143. For fishing information, contact Mountain Hardware in Truckee (530) 587-4844.
©Ted McCaleb
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