A High-Desert Lake Like No Other
Why Rent On Eagle Lake
Eagle Lake sits at 5,100 feet in northeastern California, just north of Susanville, and stretches across 22,000 acres of open, alkaline water. It is the second-largest natural lake in the state and home to the Eagle Lake trout, a subspecies found nowhere else on earth. The surrounding high-desert landscape is wide, quiet, and strikingly beautiful, with volcanic slopes and big skies that remind you how much space there still is in California.
Skip the Motel, Stay on the Water
Renting a lakehouse or cabin near Eagle Lake puts you right where the action is, no driving back to town each evening. Your vacation rental gives the whole group room to breathe, with bedrooms for the kids, a full kitchen to cook morning pancakes, and a porch to watch the sun set over the water. Guests who stay in a waterfront cabin comfortably outpace anyone sleeping in a standard roadside motel when it comes to time actually spent on the lake.
Fish, Paddle, and Watch the Birds
Eagle Lake Marina offers boat rentals, tackle, and slip space, so anglers can be on the water at first light chasing those famous native trout. Gallatin Beach is a favorite for families who want a sandy spot to swim and picnic during the warmer months. Birdwatchers find this lake especially rewarding, with osprey, white pelicans, and grebes all calling it home.
Room for Everyone, Including the Dog
Pet-friendly vacation rentals around Eagle Lake mean your four-legged family member does not have to stay behind. Many cabins and lakeside homes here sleeps six or more, with enough outdoor space for kids to run and dogs to splash at the shoreline. A hot tub after a day of fishing or hiking makes every evening feel like a proper retreat.
Explore Beyond the Shore
Lassen National Forest and its hiking trails are just a short drive away, adding volcanic geology and alpine scenery to your itinerary. After a day outdoors, head into Susanville and pull up a stool at Lassen Ale Works for craft beer and hearty comfort food. Eagle Lake rewards those who make the drive out, and a cozy rental keeps you here long enough to really feel it.
- Surface area (mi)
- 60.34
- Max depth (ft)
- 85.3
- Elevation (ft)
- 5111.55
Popular activities
- Boating
- Waterskiing
- Kayaking
- Canoeing
- Swimming
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Jet Skiing
- Cross-country Skiing
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Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to dive into what Eagle Lake has to offer? Let’s tackle some of the burning questions you might have as you plan your visit!
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Yes, swimming is allowed in Eagle Lake but only in designated areas and during specific times. At Eagles Mere Association, swimming is authorized only in the roped-off area at the beach when lifeguards are on duty. At Eagle Lake in Holden, MA, bathing is permitted only when proper lifeguarding is provided.
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Eagle Lake is a popular destination because of its recreational opportunities. In Maine, it offers extensive fishing and boating in the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. In Florida, the lake provides a boat ramp, swimming area, and fishing for largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie. In California, it is known for its high elevation and natural beauty.
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The daily limit for trout fishing in Eagle Lake, California, is 2 trout per day, and the possession limit is 4 trout. This regulation applies from the Saturday preceding Memorial Day through the last day in February.
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There are no dog-friendly beaches on Eagle Lake. Eagle Lake is part of the Eagle Falls Trail, where dogs are allowed on the trail but not on the beach itself. The trail and lake are within an area where dogs are restricted from the beach.
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Towns near Eagle Lake include Mankato, North Mankato, Saint Peter, Waseca, and New Ulm. These towns are part of the surrounding area in Blue Earth County and the Mankato-North Mankato Metropolitan Statistical Area. They are connected by main arterial routes like U.S. Route 14 and Minnesota State Highway 60.
