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The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (point drop-off) is open for everyone; the other 5 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen

French Meadows Reservoir

Placer County, California · about 1,180 acres (1.8 sq mi)

Caution

57°F water, windy Friday (15 mph SSW).

Water57°F
Level—no gauge
Wind today5 mphSW
Best bite3:15 pmto 5:30 pm

About French Meadows Reservoir

In Placer County, California, French Meadows Reservoir covers about 1,180 acres.

It stretches about 3.1 miles end to end with roughly 7.8 miles of shoreline. Its surface is about 5,200 ft above sea level. Sunnyside-Tahoe City lies about 14 miles to the east. The closest city is Carson City, about 35 miles away.

Size
About 1,180 acres (1.8 sq mi)
Shoreline
About 7.8 miles
End to end
About 3.1 miles
Elevation
About 5,200 ft
County
Placer County

The lake from above

1 0.5 mile N
Spot 1 is open for everyone; grey dots are the PRO spots.

Best fishing times

Saturday Good

  • 7:00 am – 8:15 amsunrise · wind 2 mph
  • 3:15 pm – 5:30 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 3 mph

Sunday Fair

  • 6:15 am – 8:30 amsunrise · wind 5 mph
  • 3:15 pm – 5:30 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 6 mph

Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.

Fish to expect

Lakes like French Meadows Reservoir in California usually hold trout, yellow perch and smallmouth bass. The state fish and wildlife agency lists what is stocked and the rules for this lake. With the surface at 57°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.

  • Good
    Trout

    Good range. Near the surface and along shorelines.

  • Good
    Yellow perch

    Schooled near weed edges and soft bottom.

  • Fair
    Smallmouth bass

    Picking up. Look on rocky points and gravel.

From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.

Fishing spots

  1. 1
    Point drop-off

    The bottom falls away fast off this point; fish rest deep and move up the slope to feed.

  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6

5 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.

Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.

Water temperature

57°F

At the surface, seen .

Water level

No daily level reading for this lake.

Ice

Open water

Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.

Weather and wind

Saturday 44° / 32° 5 mph SW Mostly Sunny · 11% rain
Sunday 44° / 34° 8 mph SSW Mostly Sunny · 61% rain

Sunrise 6:43 am · sunset 4:48 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).

Towns and places to stay near French Meadows Reservoir

  • Sunnyside-Tahoe Cityabout 14 mi east
  • Tahomaabout 16 mi east
  • Dollar Pointabout 17 mi east
  • Truckeeabout 19 mi northeast
  • Carson Citynearest city, about 35 mi east

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Questions about French Meadows Reservoir

What fish are in French Meadows Reservoir?

Lakes like French Meadows Reservoir usually hold trout, yellow perch and smallmouth bass. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.

How deep is French Meadows Reservoir?

We have no published depth for this lake. The 3-D view gives an estimated shape of the bed: where the deep basin and the drop-offs are. Not for navigation.

How big is French Meadows Reservoir?

About 1,180 acres, with about 7.8 miles of shoreline.

What town is near French Meadows Reservoir?

Sunnyside-Tahoe City is about 14 miles east; Tahoma is about 16 miles east.

What is the water temperature at French Meadows Reservoir today?

The surface was about 57°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.

French Meadows Reservoir on your phone

The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.

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