French Meadows Reservoir (South)

The French Meadows Reservoir boat ramp provides access to this scenic mountain lake for kayakers, canoeists, and small motorized boats. The boat ramp is located adjacent to the French Meadows Campground on the reservoir's south side. This is a popular destination for fishing, with the reservoir stocked with rainbow and Eagle Lake trout.

The reservoir is situated at high elevation, so summer days are warm but evenings are usually cool. Boating, canoeing, and swimming are common activities on the lake. However, access may be limited in some years due to seasonal road closures - in 2023, Mosquito Ridge Road is closed, so the only way to reach the boat ramp is by taking Foresthill Road to Forest Road 43.

Nearby campgrounds include Ahart Campground and Northshore Campground - Loon Lake, providing options for those looking to spend a few days exploring the French Meadows area by water. Paddlers and boaters should be prepared for potential high winds and quickly changing weather conditions common in this mountainous region.

4/27/2018: Mosquito Ridge Road is plowed to French Meadows but the road around the reservoir is not plowed. You are not able to reach the boat ramp or the campgrounds at this time. A CDF&W target fishery for hatchery catchables.  Good boat launching facilities and campgrounds.  5,000 lbs of catchable rainbow trout were planted in 2014.  25,000 Eagle Lake trout fingerlings have also been...

4/27/2018: Mosquito Ridge Road is plowed to French Meadows but the road around the reservoir is not plowed. You are not able to reach the boat ramp or the campgrounds at this time. A CDF&W target fishery for hatchery catchables.  Good boat launching facilities and campgrounds.  5,000 lbs of catchable rainbow trout were planted in 2014.  25,000 Eagle Lake trout fingerlings have also been stocked historically.  Large rainbow and brown trout can be found in the lake and in the river above and below the dam.  The area around the lake is a State Game Refuge and no firearms are permitted.  Be aware that many areas around the reservoir and into Duncan Canyon burned in the 2001 Star Fire.  Use caution in burned areas due to safety hazards from dead trees.  

Read More Read Less