Bailey Fishing Pond
Lake · Lake Tahoe corridor
Bailey Fishing Pond sits at 4777 feet in California's Sierra Nevada Lake Tahoe corridor. This small, sheltered lake offers calmer conditions than the open water to the east, drawing anglers and paddlers seeking refuge from afternoon wind.
Wind accelerates off the lake surface by mid-afternoon, funneling strongest between 2 and 5 p.m. Morning hours are glassy; by evening, chop builds. The 30-day average wind of 13 mph masks afternoon gusts to 30 mph. Plan water activities for dawn or early morning.
Over the last 30 days, Bailey Fishing Pond has averaged a NoGo Score of 10.0 with temperatures around 49 degrees Fahrenheit and wind averaging 13 mph. The week ahead shows typical spring variability; mornings remain the window for calm water. Crowding stays low at a rolling average of 3.0, so timing is flexible if you chase wind-free hours.
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About Bailey Fishing Pond
Bailey Fishing Pond occupies a pocket drainage northeast of the Lake Tahoe basin proper, at 4777 feet elevation. The pond is accessed via Highway 50 from South Lake Tahoe or Carson City; secondary approach roads branch north from Highway 395 near Minden. The location sits roughly 20 miles south of the main lake shore and serves local anglers and shallow-water paddlers. Parking is informal and limited; arrive early if visiting on weekends.
Spring and early summer (late April through June) see temperatures climbing from the 34 to 68-degree annual range, with the rolling 30-day average holding near 49 degrees Fahrenheit. Wind averages 13 mph over rolling windows but peaks at 30 mph in afternoon hours. Morning calm is most reliable in May and early June. By late July and August, afternoon heating drives stronger thermals; wind and crowding both increase. Fall (late September through October) returns to mild mornings and manageable afternoons before snow arrival. Winter closes most approach roads and limits access.
Bailey Fishing Pond suits small-boat anglers, fly fishers, and kayak paddlers who avoid open water. Experienced anglers know to fish the shallows from dawn until 10 a.m., then retreat; morning water is clearer and less disturbed. Kayakers and paddleboarders should launch before 9 a.m. and plan to be off the water by early afternoon. The pond is too exposed for swimming at midday. Low base popularity (0.25) means you will rarely encounter crowds, but wind discipline is non-negotiable. Bring a watercraft rated for chop if you stay past mid-morning.
Bailey Fishing Pond ranks easier and more sheltered than the main Lake Tahoe body, particularly versus the exposed west and east shores. It is more consistent than smaller alpine ponds that ice over or warm to stagnant conditions. Anglers seeking a middle ground between a crowded reservoir and high-elevation backcountry water find Bailey Fishing Pond practical. Nearly trailheads and Highway 50 proximity make it a half-day outing from Carson City or South Lake Tahoe without committing to a full day on the main lake.