Winter in Alpine County

  • Bear Valley Mountain Resort

    Nestled off scenic Highway 4 in the Central Sierra Mountains and Stanislaus National Forest, Bear Valley Mountain Resort offers world-class terrain at 7,000 feet. Easily accessible from all of Northern and Central California, Bear Valley is a retreat for both beginner and expert skiers and snowboarders seeking space and breathtaking views.

    Not a skier? No problem! Explore snowshoeing trails, enjoy breathtaking mountain vistas, or cozy up in our charming village. Known for its laid-back atmosphere and warm hospitality, Bear Valley is the perfect getaway for families, friends, and outdoor lovers alike.

    At Bear Valley, you'll find a big mountain ski and ride experience with small-town vibes.

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    MOUNTAIN STATS:

    9 Lifts

    75 Trails

    1,680 Acres

    1,900 Vertical

    359"+ Annual Snowfall

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  • Kirkwood

    There’s something for everyone at "the Wood."

    Located in the pristine Sierra Nevada mountains, Kirkwood Ski Resort is a haven for winter enthusiasts. With 2,300 acres of diverse terrain, unmatched powder, and some of the most challenging runs in California, Kirkwood is perfect for skiers and snowboarders of all levels.

    Beyond the slopes, enjoy scenic snowshoe trails, cozy lodges, and a welcoming mountain village atmosphere. Whether you're chasing thrills, making family memories, or simply soaking in the stunning alpine beauty, Kirkwood is the place to be this season.

    MOUNTAIN STATS:

    15 Lifts

    86 Trails

    2,300 Acres

    Highest Elevation: 9,800 ft (2,897 m)

    Base Elevation: 7,800 ft (2,377 m)

    354'“ (899 cm) Annual Snowfall

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Livestream Mountain Cams

CAPLES LAKE: The lake has about 4-6 inches of ice underneath a little snow. A few anglers have been getting out to enjoy some ice fishing. Best areas are by the dam or spillway. You can use a nightcrawler or you can be a little more active (which keeps you a little warmer) and jig a gold Kastmaster or a small spoon. The Caples Lake Resort is open all year if you wanted to make a weekend out of it. They have lodging with a lounging area that serves dinner at 5pm. For more information go to capleslakeresort.com.


RED LAKE:  The lake last reported was 5-8 inches thick with some snow on top. The parking area behind the dam is usually accessible thanks to Cal/Trans.  Small Kastmasters or a half a nightcrawler has been most productive. I will be having an ice fishing get together with friends in early February. All are invited to come and see we ice fish. If you need a hole drilled, we can do that as well.


MONITOR PASS-EBBETTS PASS: Closed


BURNSIDE LAKE-WOODS LAKE- BLUE LAKES ROAD: Closed for the season.


INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR: The lake is low and the fishing has been fair. When the lake is not frozen. Inflated nightcrawlers and powerbait have been successful. A few anglers have ventured out along the dam with Thomas Buoyant spoons.  I would recommend the paved road right now. The dirt road is mainly frozen in the morning and muddy in the afternoon. Be careful of the ice areas on the paved area. Some spots will not see the sun until may.


EAST CARSON RIVER ALPINE COUNTY: I ventured up this week to find the river running very fishable at 90 CFM.  Talked with an angler that did good with a black Panther Martin. The county planted the river a few weeks ago with 1800 lbs of rainbows ranging 2-5 lbs. It is catch and release with artificial lures or flys with barbless hooks until the last Saturday in April. If you decide to make a weekend out of your next trip. The Carson River Resort and the Creekside Lodge are open all year. If you need a break from fishing all morning, the hot springs are open to warm you up. They also have a general store for all those things you forgot to bring. For more info contact the Carson River Resort.


TOPAZ LAKE: This was the first time in 30 years, I could not attend the New Years celebration. I did talk with a couple anglers that enjoyed the day. They told me the water level was down about 10 feet from last year. Which is nice because it gave them some real estate on the east side to camp on. They caught 7 nice rainbows all about 12 to 16 inches trolling blk/gld or blk/slvr Rapalas on the west side of the lake. They saw a few shore anglers catching a few on the north end and the south end just past the bug station. Now if you are a big Topaz angler. You can get a yearly pass at the Douglas County Parks Department in Gardnerville NV.  The pass is valid for the 2025 year for day use and boat launching, It does not cover camping.


Good luck on your next fishing adventure, and remember to tell someone where you are going and when you should return. I hope to see you on the water soon. If you get a photo of your catch.

Send it to sports@recordcourier.com.

Good Fishin' and tight lines.

Winter Fishing in Alpine County

January 2025 Report from Doug Busey

Hello, fellow anglers.

A very Happy "NAW" year to you all. This time of year, we are a little limited on where we can fish in the sierras. Right now we have some viable options, without cutting a hole in the ice. The East Carson River In Alpine County, The West Walker In Mono County and Topaz Lake off highway 395 at the CA/NV stateline. Topaz Lake, as many know, is open all year long to fishing. Many still celebrate it on January 1st as the opener.  I personally love to fish the lake this time of year. Mainly because the fishing is usually hot in the winter. You can do a little more toplinning, instead of dragging hardware deep in the lake. Now the rivers I mentioned are catch and release this time of year, but fishing can be exciting and sometimes fast and furious. But wherever you venture out to. remember to always be aware of your surroundings and water temps. You do not want to fall in the water when it's 40 degrees outside and the water is the same temp. Hypothermia is when you fall in the water, cold shock hits within seconds and loss of muscle control in 10 minutes or less. Boaters, make sure you have all the safety equipment on board in case of an emergency. But it is also the law to have the right safety equipment for the size of the vessel you have. I would also advise to leave the beer on the shore. It would be very embarrassing to get a BWI ( boating while intoxicated) on your record. Not to mention a free trip to the local jail.  Last year I saw a couple people that their fishing trip did not end so well. It also helps to be alert in case another boater is in need. Let's just have fun, catch some fish, brag a little and get home safe to fish another day. I would rather read about you in the paper holding your catch, then to hear about an accident that occured.