20 Lakes Basin Hike

I hiked into the 20 Lakes Basin in Northern Yosemite for a little fishing. Caught a few dinks in the high lakes before the wind started, then headed back down and around Saddlebag Lake. 

 

I stopped at a nice looking spot on the Norteast corner of Saddlebag and probably hooked about 30 trout and landed around 25ish (not positive on the fish totals...I wasn't counting at the time). The biggest was the last of the day at about 18 inches. I was using a variety of Spoon lures and the action was non-stop for about 3 hours. Fishing barbless hooks and all fish caught were released alive. 

 

No photos of Saddlebag. I need to start clipping my GoPro to me when fishing so I can get more pictures. My main concern is always getting the fish back in the water ASAP, so I rarely bother with pictures. I usually have a nice mirror-less camera with me, but it's not near the water.

 

 

Mount Conness distant left, North Peak right center.

 

Hummingbird lake.

Eagle Lake - November 2025

A couple days fishing from shore at Eagle Lake in Lassen County, Northern California.

 

I didn't take any pictures, but using this post as a place to log information for now.

 

Two fish caught fly fishing using a balanced Crowley Perch pattern under a slip bobber. Both released alive. The big one was approximately 24 inches long and estimated to weigh 5lbs. Thinking back, this is the biggest trout I've caught at Eagle Lake.

 

- Fishing along shore in the Osprey Overlook area 

- 9 foot 5 weight rod and a WF floating fly line with a slip bobber on a 9 foot leader. Crowley Perch balanced fly.

- Also stripped patterns with a Type II sinking tip.

Top: Actual Tui Chub.   Bottom: Crowley Perch Streamer.

A version of the Crowley Perch balanced fly used.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NorCal Fishing Odds & Sods

Some shots from a recent fish outing to Northern California where I also did some exploring to look at future fishing areas. A lot of fish caught at Baum Lake and Hat Creek, but I release all my fish and seldom take the extra time to get pictures of fish (unless they are a really nice) as I try to get them back in the water as fast as possible.

 

 Crystal Lake above Baum Lake. I didn't know this, but this shallow impoundment is open to fishing with regulations.

Baum Lake on Hat Creek. Fun fishing here. Limited shore fishing options. Best fished from a small craft or float boat.

Some wild crab apples.

 

The dam at Lake Britton.

Lower Burney Creek above Burney Falls.

North Battle Creek Reservoir near the town of Shingletown on highway 44.

Hat Creek Valley Camping and Fall Foliage

We recently spent a week in Northern California's Hat Creek Valley camping, fishing, hiking, and enjoying the changing season. What an amazing place and one of our favorites for getting away and just relaxing.