Fallen Leaf Lake has kokanee salmon, Mackinaw trout, brown trout, and rainbows. Lahontan cutthroat trout were fished out at Fallen Leaf decades ago, but have recently been reintroduced.

Fishing is good almost anywhere on the lake. While some anglers targeting Mackinaws favor the early morning, others have had good success in the afternoons. Mackinaws tend to stay deep, near the bottom, often below 100 feet. Many trollers prefer the east side of the lake, especially along the northern end. Anglers seeking brown trout in particular like the shorelines.

From the shore fishermen do fairly well near the inlet of Glen Alpine Creek and around the campground at the north end of the lake. Float tubers, wary of the winds, have had good success close to shore in Sawmill Cove. Underwater investigations of the lake have found the remnant of ancient forests on the bottom, perhaps thousands of years old.

Trophy Fish Lurking in Fallen Leaf Lake

Mackinaw Trout: Reports of Mackinaws weight up to 20 pounds.
Kokanee Salmon: A 3-pound 12 ounce kokanee was caught in 2001.

Mackinaw: Trolling with minnows (from the lake), Flatfish, J-Plugs, Gibbs Minnow Jigs, Apex Trolling Lures

Kokanee Salmon: Troll with Needlefish, Apex Kokanee Specials, Mack's Wedding Rings, Father Murphy's Kokanee Bugs, Hum Dingers, Cripplures

Brown Trout: Troll with Rebels, Rapals, Rapala Floaters

Rainbow Trout: Nightcrawlers, Kastmaster Lures, Panther Martins, Salmon eggs, Mepps Lures