costuros Loc: Petaluma, CA

For those of you familiar with the lakes at Crystal Basin : Ice House, Union Valley, Loon and Dark lakes. Have you ever fish Junction Reservoir at the base of Union Valley Dam? This is a little known and little fished beautiful body of water filled with mostly German Brown trout. If you go toward Union Valley Dam just before you get to the dam you cross a little creek bridge. There is a small turnout there where you can park and walk down to the creek. Follow the creek to the lake only a short walk. You will often see browns surfacing for bugs. I cast a night crawlers with no weight to the rising fish and catch them. If you have a small boat, raft, float tube or fishing kayak there is an unmarked road down to the lake where you can easily launch. The road is steep and mostly unpassable in the winter or when wet. You'll need a 4 wheel drive vehicle jeep or truck. You can find it by driving back down from the creek access away from the dam and turn onto the only road that goes down toward the lake. Once you get on the water you'll be in Brown Trout heaven. I always cast worms, but also cast or troll spinners. Again, cast a worm at rising fish. I use an electric motor on an inflatable raft and explore the whole lake. It's glassy, quiet, and beautiful. If you don't float, you can shore fish from there also. Let me know if you've been there, or if you go.

Papa D Loc: Mantweeka, Ca

I like the looks of it and will check it out next time I'm up that way.

If I can't get my kayak into Junction I'll use the ramp at the Union Valley Dam.

Thanks for the post!

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

Thanks for the info. I just might give it a try this year after we get all moved back to Tahoe. Thanks.

costuros Loc: Petaluma, CA

You can get your kayak in at the little bridge on the way up to the dam.

Papa D Loc: Mantweeka, Ca

I don't see a bridge over Junction Reservoir. Can you snap me a map screenshot or mark the one below?

Junction Reservoir

doncruzon Loc: Lincoln, Ca

How hard of a hike is it to get to the lake ? I am 72 and not in the best of shape but would love to go. Thanks

Papa D Loc: Mantweeka, Ca

It doesn't look like it would be a long haul but I can't tell how steep it would be.

I plan on checking it out and if it looks like more effort than I'm up to then I'll fish Union Valley Reservoir either by the dam or one of the campgrounds.

Hopefully someone that's been there can give us some firsthand details.

doncruzon Loc: Lincoln, Ca

Thanks

costuros Loc: Petaluma, CA

The bridge is on the way up to the dam before you reach thelake, and it is really small just going over the feeder creek. It's not a long hike, but it is rocky as you follow the creek down. I've caught some good rainbows from the dam and a big Brown many years ago, so the dam is a good alternative.