It is at an elevation of 5100 feet above sea level, and has a surface area of 27,000 acres with over 100 miles of timbered shoreline. This makes it the second largest natural lake within California after Clear Lake.

It's located at the juncture of four major geologic provinces, yet unaffected through time by any of them. To the west and south is the Sierra Nevada, a giant mountain range formed by tectonic uplifting along the edge of the continental plate. To the west and north is the Cascade Mountains running sporadically through California, Oregon, and Washington, all the way to Canada. This mountain range is volcanic in origin, but also a result of a clash between Pacific and continental plates. To the east and north is the volcanic Modoc Plateau, and to the east is the Great Basic comprising most oof Nevada and Utah.

The Eagle Lake Trout is famous among anglers, and is found nowhere else in the world. This big trout (averaging over 3 lb.) has the markings of a rainbow, the red slash of a cutthroat and is a rich gold in color. It is the only trout to survive in the alkaline water. Controversy continues as to whether ist is a unique hybrid, or as others claim, the only pure trout left anywhere, having survived here in "The Lake That Time Forgot."

Back to the Norcal Home Page...