Gerle Creek Divide Reservoir

The lake is 50 acres with only about 3 miles of shoreline. Yet the low-slung, forest covered hills make most of the shoreline fishable by anglers from the banks. Only a few miles from here further up the Rubicon watershed as it spills from the Crystal Range, the terrain takes on a rugged, granite face. Gerle is comparatively gentle and quieter. On busy summer weekends or holidays, that translates into peace. But given the number of swimmers, not quiet. Yet, there are places to get away from the crowds.

Fishery:

The lake is managed by the CDF&G as a natural-spawn fishery for brown trout. Stocking of both fingerling and catchable trout have been drastically reduced since the mid-1960s.

Browns over 13 inches and 2 pounds can be caught, but the best fishing is after ice-melt in June and again October or early November.

Rainbow trout is the other predominate species. Fourteen inches is average. Brook trout can be found in the creek above the lake.

Gerle Creek has a long-time well deserved reputation as a good small stream fishery. Access up the stream from the campground is easy. The stream is still enjoyable but pulse flows from Loon Lake several miles upstream of Gerle Reservoir have caused bank cutting and sedimentation problems. Currently fish populations are not what they used to be, but the Federal Energy Regulations Commission (FERC) is addressing the situation and hopefully new management principles will improve the fishery.

Facilities:

The 50 unit USFS Gerle Creek Campground sits on the upper end of the lake on its west side and is usually open May 15-October 15 each year.

The 4-unit, lakeside Gerle Creek Picnic Area is located at the day-use parking area on the far southern end of the Campground. The wheelchair accessible trail accesses the tables but chair users will need help to access them. The tables have not been modified to facilitate wheelchair use.

The wheelchair accessible Gerle Creek Interpretive Trail pffers informative displays, but chair users should have pushing help. On a point just beyond the campground and day-use parking area is a large, well designed wheelchair fishing platform. The only problem is the beach and picnic area right next to in attracts swimmers. So fishing from the platform is best in times when the swimmers are not there.

The 4-unit Angel Creek Picnic Area sits on its own access road to the east side of the lake. Tables and fire rings sit above the reservoir.

The 16-unti Airport Flat Campground sits on the approach road less than 2-miles from the lake. There is no piped water; so treated creek water must be used. The sites are arranged into pods to accommodate groups of 15-25 people and the campground is a favorite of OHV users.

Fishing Hints:

Brown trout are especially wary, and it is this natural defense that allows them to retain attractive populations within the fishery after easier trout have been caught. It is this same tendency that attracts skilled anglers.

Brownies like the cover of rock shelves and submerged snags. In the stream, look for them under overhanging bank, trees and brush.

In addition to the cooler months and times of day, nights are especially beneficial to give the angler and edge over the wily fish that avoid daytime feeding. If the wind kicks up as it often does in the afternoon, intensify your fishing for brownies. The riffles on the surface make them less skittish, plus it knocks natural feed into the water to entice the fish to begin fishing.

Due to the clear water and the dominant population of brown trout, use long leaders of 10-12 feet or clear line for crankbaits and bait fishing. Mimic the current hatch of mayflies, alder or stone flies. Inflated nightcrawlers work well as do Rebels and Rapalas.

Worms, minnows, crickets and grasshoppers make good bait and describe the kind of lures that are beneficial. Fly fishing works especially well for the pan-sized youngsters and if you’re angling for the larger browns use wet flies to mimic minnow bait fish.

Kastmaster lures have been successful here. Mimic the colors of the minnow bait preferred by brown trout. Silver and blue are popular.

No motors are allowed on boats. Float devices work well given the ready access.

Shore access is good; a good trail stretching from the campground to the dam follows along the western shore. The Angel Creek Picnic area offers driving access to the mid-point of the eastern shore, and the rather open forest vegetation has promoted angler trails to the best sites.

To Gerle Creek Divide Reservoir

Follow highway 50 east of Placerville for about 23 miles until the highway crosses the South Fork American River. Just after that, turn north (left) onto the Ice House Road (FS #3). Follow north on this paved road for 24 miles until Forest Road 33 continues straight to Gerle Creek Campground and the Ice House Road veers right up the hill to Loon Lake. After about 3 miles, near the Airport Campground at the Gerle Creek crossing, turn left and continue to the campground.

Communities

• Kyburz
• Pollock Pines

Trails

• Gerle Interpretive Trail
• Harvest Trail