Many recreational opportunities are available at Indian Creek including camping, picnicking, hiking, hunting, fishing, sailing, mountain biking, nature study, rock collecting, sightseeing and photography.
Fishing is by far the most popular activity. Trout are stocked in the reservoir. The nearby Carson River is managed as a trophy fishery. (Catch and release those big ones!) Be sure to check with the California Department of Fish and Game for current information concerning hunting and fishing seasons and limits. The maximum speed on Indian Creek Reservoir is 10 mph.
The Bureau of Land Management operates the Indian Creek Area. The reservoir was once the receptacle for treated sewage discharge from South Lake Tahoe, but the effluent is now diverted into nearby Harvey Place Reservoir. The high level of remaining nutrients makes the water darker than other lakes in Alpine County, and I observed a die-off of sucker-fish here last May. Nevertheless, Alpine County stocks this lake, so trout fishing can be good, and the trout are edible. I fish here in Winter, or as a fallback when the Spring streams are too high and the higher lakes are still iced-over. There is a nice campground with good toilets, and motor home pumpout station too. A paved boat-launch ramp is on the road to the campground, but only open in the summer.
Shore fishing is good from near the ramp around and onto the small dam. This is where a nightcrawler or some Powerbait seems to work best. Boat (or Float) fishing can be anywhere, and is frequently wind-dictated. Flyfishers should troll slowly with a sinking line.
Hatches and Flies
Recommended flies are multiple Wooly Buggers of different colors...black, olive, brown, purple, even white. Callibaetis action occurs sporadically, but if you are there when it happens, OH BOY!
Directions
Take Airport Road turn (4.2 mile South of Woodfords), follow the road for 3.1 miles. When the gate is closed, park here and walk in the campground road. If the gate is open, drive in and park at the launch ramp.
And if you get bored, backtrack up to Curtz Lake (the little lake you drove by on the way in) and find the two self-guided nature trails (Geology trail, Botany trail).
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