What fish are at Kirkwood Lake?

Fishing Kirkwood Lake is most likely to be for Mixed Trout. All 3 plants on record are Mixed Trout. Mixed Trout was last stocked August 30, 2026. Rainbow Trout (Per CDFW's 2026 Provisional Stocking Plan for this water (a planning document, not a confirmed release)) is recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is Kirkwood Lake stocked?

Last stocked August 30, 2026. It is stocked about 1.5 times a year since 2025, most often in July and August.

Kirkwood Lake fishing

Fishing at Kirkwood Lake is on a high alpine lake, stocked with Mixed Trout and Rainbow Trout. It is stocked about 1.5 times a year since 2025, most often in July and August. Species guides list dawn and dusk as the active times.

Last stocked

August 30, 2026

Plants on record

Species recorded

Elevation

7,657.9 ft

Common questions

What fish are at Kirkwood Lake?: Fishing Kirkwood Lake is most likely to be for Mixed Trout. All 3 plants on record are Mixed Trout. Mixed Trout was last stocked August 30, 2026. Rainbow Trout (Per CDFW's 2026 Provisional Stocking Plan for this water (a planning document, not a confirmed release)) is recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Kirkwood Lake stocked?: Last stocked August 30, 2026. It is stocked about 1.5 times a year since 2025, most often in July and August.
How do you get on Kirkwood Lake?: Shore fishing is available and a fee is required. Facilities include camping. Kirkwood Lake Campground sits at 7,600 feet in Eldorado National Forest, 57 miles east of Jackson on Highway 88, with 12 tent sites and a fee. It is a seasonal site in bear country, with an anticipated late-September closure each year.

Access and facts

Water type: high alpine
Shore access: Yes
Fee required: Yes
Facilities: camping

Kirkwood Lake Campground sits at 7,600 feet in Eldorado National Forest, 57 miles east of Jackson on Highway 88, with 12 tent sites and a fee. It is a seasonal site in bear country, with an anticipated late-September closure each year.

Sources: fs.usda.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , fs.usda.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , fs.usda.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , fs.usda.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , fs.usda.gov, accessed September 23, 2026

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Fish at Kirkwood Lake

Fishing Kirkwood Lake is most likely to be for Mixed Trout. All 3 plants on record are Mixed Trout.

Mixed Trout 3 plants

Plants: 3 of 3
Last stocked: August 30, 2026

Stocking history

Source: California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Date	Species	Quantity	Avg. length	Source
August 30, 2026	Mixed Trout	–	–	report
July 19, 2026	Mixed Trout	–	–	report
October 5, 2025	Mixed Trout	–	–	report

Species found here

Confirmed present independent of the stocking records above, not from a stocking event.

Rainbow Trout : Per CDFW's 2026 Provisional Stocking Plan for this water (a planning document, not a confirmed release). (nrm.dfg.ca.gov, accessed September 23, 2026)

Species stocked here

Mixed Trout (3)

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.