07-06-2017, 03:45 AM
Hiked to Upper Bell's Canyon Reservoir for an overnighter on July 1. Its a tough hike of about 4 miles each direction and about 1000 feet of elevation gain per mile. The trail is rough but defined for 3 miles and then it is like everyone has taken a different path to get the last mile. I would recommend a GPS to make things a little easier. The lake itself doesn't have a ton of good camping around it because the slope is so steep, but it is not too difficult to find places to camp among the trees and rocks (and at this time of year there were still huge snowbanks).
As far as the fishing, it looks like the last time it was stocked with fingerlings was in 2015 according to the DWR site. I fished for about an hour and caught one 9" cutt on a wooly bugger. I saw a few fish cruising the surface when the water was calm but nothing of any size. The area is supremely beautiful. Mile 2.5-3.5 are filled with waterfalls and crystal clear streams and amazing views.
I just thought I'd post a little report because it has been a long time since anyone provided a fishing report for this destination.
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As far as the fishing, it looks like the last time it was stocked with fingerlings was in 2015 according to the DWR site. I fished for about an hour and caught one 9" cutt on a wooly bugger. I saw a few fish cruising the surface when the water was calm but nothing of any size. The area is supremely beautiful. Mile 2.5-3.5 are filled with waterfalls and crystal clear streams and amazing views.
I just thought I'd post a little report because it has been a long time since anyone provided a fishing report for this destination.
[signature]