Tinemaha Reservoir
Lake · 3,894 ft · Eastern Sierra corridor
Tinemaha Reservoir sits at 3,894 feet in the Eastern Sierra, a high-desert lake fed by snowmelt and bordered by sagebrush slopes. Wind-exposed and calmer only in early morning.
Wind funnels down from the high Sierra passes by mid-afternoon, building to sustained 13 mph average with gusts near 34 mph. Mornings are flat and protected; afternories are rough. Water temperature lags air temperature by weeks.
Over the past 30 days, the average NoGo Score here was 7.0, with wind averaging 13 mph and temperature holding at 59 degrees Fahrenheit. The week ahead will track similar patterns. Plan morning trips to dodge the afternoon wind that defines this exposed location.
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About Tinemaha Reservoir
Tinemaha Reservoir sits 45 miles south of Bishop on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, accessed via U.S. Highway 395. The lake fills a narrow canyon where the Tinemaha Creek drainage meets the Owens River system. Elevation of 3,894 feet places it above the Owens Valley floor but well below the Sierra crest; this position makes it a gateway to higher country and a fishing stop for travelers moving between the Mammoth Lakes corridor and the central valley. The reservoir is shallow and long, with limited campsites and informal parking along the south shore road.
Conditions here are shaped by exposure to westerly wind tunneling down the Sierra passes. The 30-day average wind speed of 13 mph is moderate compared to open Owens Valley locations, but afternoon gusts reach 34 mph regularly in spring and early summer. Temperatures range from 40 degrees Fahrenheit in winter to 79 degrees in summer. Crowding is light (average 3.0) because the lake sits off the main tourist loop and offers no developed recreation area. Spring snowmelt peaks in late April through June, raising water levels and turbidity. By late September, water is clearer and cooler winds ease slightly.
This lake suits kayakers and small-boat anglers who fish early and leave by noon. The shallow water makes it popular with float-tube anglers targeting trout. No swimmer-friendly beach access; wading is difficult and cold. Jet skis and large powerboats are rare because the lake is narrow and the boat launch is rough. Parking pressure is minimal except on holiday weekends. Bring wind protection even in warm months; afternoon whitecaps are the rule, not the exception. Water stays cold year-round; immersion risk is real.
Tinemaha pairs well with nearby Crowley Lake to the north (more developed, also windier) or further backcountry access via the Tioga Pass road (Highway 120) east toward Nevada. The reservoir also anchors a short loop with the lower Owens River for anglers. Unlike the crowded Bishop area fishing spots, Tinemaha remains quiet and is best for visitors seeking solitude and uncrowded mornings.