Mackinaw - Gilmore lake

[Natekursow]

I'm planning a backpacking trip up to the Desolation next summer and am thinking about spending a day at Gilmore. I've seen that there are Macks up there, and I would like to try to catch my first one. I would be doing both spin and fly fishing, but I'm wondering if anyone has any advice on getting them from shore. Any advice helps. Thanks!

NK

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I have heard they are shallow in the late Fall, Winter and early Spring.

The rest of the time they go deep.


I had a friend catch one from the shore in the Winter at Donner lake on a fly rod.


I would use a White Zonker streamer or Clouser Minnow on a very fast sinking shooting head.


I found this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ii_vWWhqgFE

[Mr T]

I have been able to get Macks to bite using a Booby fly on sinking line from shore up at Donner. Strip - pause - and expect bites on the pause.

[Jcolin]

I've wanted to hike up there too after ice out or later in the fall. Tend to spend most of my time in the Sierras on the eastside though. Have seen the pictures of big Mackinaws caught on fly rods from that lake, they were from the 80s and 90s however. Have spoken to two anglers that have fished it in the past few years, one was totally skunked and the other got a few very small Brookies. They could still be in there, only one way to find out.

[TahoeJeff]

They could still be in there

Don't worry, there are still a ton of them in there:

http://www.highsierratopix.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=16853&p=127028&hilit=mack#p127028

http://www.highsierratopix.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=13178&p=98892&hilit=mack#p98892

I would bet good money there is an over 10# Mack in there.

[Charlie Gonzales]

I really need to get over to Union Valley reservoir and try for the Macks, maybe Sly Park too.