Fishing

No matter what your experience level is, the MFP reservoirs are excellent places to fish for trout in a beautiful location. People new to trout fishing and trout fishing fanatics will enjoy what French Meadows and Hell Hole reservoirs have to offer.

Please read this important safety information about fish consumption at French Meadows and Hell Hole reservoirs .

French Meadows Reservoir

Experienced anglers consider French Meadows reservoir among the top trout lakes in the Sierra Nevada. At 5,200 feet in elevation, French Meadows is a large reservoir with more than eight miles of shoreline. Boat access is available at two boat launches, French Meadows Boat Ramp on the south shore and McGuire Boat Ramp on the north shore.

The submerged river channel and natural contours of the lake provide deep cold-water sanctuary for trout while tree stumps left from the developed reservoir provide the trout with plenty of cover.

Placer County Water Agency annually stocks French Meadows reservoir with catchable sized rainbow trout. Wild rainbow and brown trout also can be found. The rainbow trout average 12 to 22 inches while trophy brown trout can be caught by more experienced anglers.

Hell Hole Reservoir

The Hell Hole Reservoir area is magnificent, remote, and rugged. Hell Hole Reservoir covers over 1,250 surface acres at 4,700 feet of elevation and is formed by the unspoiled waters of the Rubicon River. Hell Boat Ramp, located on the west end of the reservoir, provides easy boat access.

The lake is stocked annually by the Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) with fingerling brown trout and fingerling Kokanee. Placer County Water Agency will begin stocking catchable rainbow trout (12-18”) in 2025. Wild rainbow, brown, and lake trout populations also reside in Hell Hole reservoir. The Kokanee in Hell Hole reservoir are a quick catch for experienced anglers. The trout at Hell Hole reservoir don’t strike as easily as at French Meadows Reservoir, but their size makes up for it.

Angler Surveys

Angler (or creel) surveys are an important tool in fisheries management, providing critical information about effort and harvest, species and size, and angler satisfaction. Please consider reporting your fishing trip at the following CDFW (CIRAS) website to help us better manage the fisheries at French Meadows and Hell Hole reservoirs.