saddlebag lake

[simijab]

I'll be heading up there in a couple weeks. I won a couple tickets to go across the lake and a couple breakfasts at the cafe there at the Fred Hall show. I never fished this lake before or any of the lakes that you can hike to on the other side of the lake. If anybody has any info on this lake or maybe which one of the lakes on the other side is worth hiking to. Thanks for the help.

[jmurillo74]

I've never had a bad day of fishing at Saddlebag. That place is loaded with brookies. I usually rent a boat and head directly across from the boat dock to the springs that come down the mountian into the lake (look for the green strips of vegatation). Pieces of worms work good for me. Big fish by dam.

[dockboy]

as said, the main lake has a lot of fish. people rarely leave without fish. the loop hike is good fishing too. it sees a little more pressure than some high country lakes, but its still a lot of fun. certain lakes produce more fish, per usual. brookies are the most common, and green and wasco lakes right next to the trailhead are full of them. ive seen goldens in the lakes, including some nice fish that aren't your average GT. and, lee vining creek provides excellent fishing trailside. keep a few brookies, they are plentiful and make a good meal or two :)

[sierraslam]

I caught this fish in the 2o lakes basin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7IJYzRLrcA

[simijab]

I caught this fish in the 2o lakes basin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7IJYzRLrcA

nice golden. not familiar with 2o lakes basin. what is 2o

[Natural Lefty]

20 Lakes Basin is the hike-in area to the north of Saddlebag Lake which has about 20 lakes and some streams, most with good populations of trout. You can take the water taxi to the north end of Saddlebag Lake and hike from there to make it easy.

[Natural Lefty]

Oh, I see you already won the water taxi tickets, so that part is taken care of. You can fish that end of Saddlebag Lake, or take either of two trails to the other lakes. The one to the left up the main inlet goes to the most lakes and they mostly have good fishing. I agree that it's a good area to keep some tasty Brookies to eat, and it probably helps the fishing since the Brookies tend to overpopulate the area.

[simijab]

Cool thanks guys sound like it is all good up there. I'll be sure to post something when I get back.

[JimmisLine]

I caught this fish in the 2o lakes basin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7IJYzRLrcA
That's a beautiful trout, SS. Makes me wish I up there, again

[SierraPeaks]

You can also do well just to the right of where the taxi docks. There are always hogs cruising the shoreline there. I've pulled in several holdover bows in the 3 pound range. But have always had better luck from a boat at Saddlebag.

[AngryAgent]

What are the dates that you are going?

[simijab]

What are the dates that you are going?

I'll be there from the 16th to the 19th

[bstolton]

I was thinking about doing the water taxi thing also after reading Jareds book. It sounds like pretty easy hikes to the many lakes in the area.I will have the wife and dog with me, the wife is not much for hiking.Anybody have any info on the distances and difficulty of the trails to the lakes. We will be leaving for the loop on the 17th for a week.
Thanks Bill

[Sierra_Smitty]

I was thinking about doing the water taxi thing also after reading Jareds book. It sounds like pretty easy hikes to the many lakes in the area.I will have the wife and dog with me, the wife is not much for hiking.Anybody have any info on the distances and difficulty of the trails to the lakes. We will be leaving for the loop on the 17th for a week.
Thanks Bill

The 20 Lakes Basin is probably the easiest hiking in the Sierra next to the Little Lakes Valley so your wife should do fine....just make sure she takes her camera so she has an excuse to stop when she's out of breath. I'd recommend getting a topo map prior to your hike so you can plan which lakes you want to visit. It will be pretty chilly at that elevation so bring some warm gear.

[bstolton]

So would it be too much for one day to also take the trail to Bennettville?
Thanks for your help Jared.
Bill

[sierraslam]

Saddlebag lake water taxi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxPAsb1c_9k 20 lakes basin scenery http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqsgYKQE6Qg 20 lakes basin trout http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2Zzq8q2dR0

[Sierra_Smitty]

So would it be too much for one day to also take the trail to Bennettville?
Thanks for your help Jared.
Bill

You could do both in the same day if you got an early start. It also depends on how much time you want to spend in the 20 lakes basin.

[Natural Lefty]

BStolton, I would recommend going to Greenstone Lake, at least for starters. That is the first lake up on the main inlet to Saddlebag Lake, and it has really good fishing, primarily for average size Brook Trout, but it has a few Rainbows, even Goldens and hybrids that come down from Conness Lakes, plus great scenery, interesting green stones (thus the name) and beautiful clear water.

[bstolton]

sierraslam, awesome videos thanks for posting them. I definitly want to go now.
natural lefty thanks for the recondmendation.
sierra smitty thanks for your help and once again for the book.

bill

[sierraslam]

have a great time. I'll packing out of the rockcreek area saturday. good luck, good fishin!