Convict Lake is a lake in the Sherwin Range of the
Sierra Nevada in
California, USA. It is known for its fishing and the dramatic mountains (including Mount
Morrison) that surround the lake. Its surface lies at an elevation of 7,850 ft (2,393 m). Convict Lake is known for its fishing, including
Rainbow trout, German brown trout, and a species of sucker fish. Due to the high demand of fishing in the lake and stream, the lake is stocked once a week during the summer with rainbow trout, supplied by nearby hatcheries. The lake is also a
Good place for hiking, and a hike around the entire lake will take about 1.5 hours.
Recreation
Convict Lake is known for its fishing, including Rainbow trout, German brown trout, and a species of sucker fish. Due to the high demand of fishing in the lake and stream, the lake is stocked once a week during the summer with rainbow trout, supplied by nearby hatcheries. The lake is also a good place for hiking, and a hike around the entire lake will take about 1.5 hours.
1990 Drownings
In February 1990, Convict Lake was the site of a major drowning. Twelve teenagers and two counselors from a nearby camp were on a holiday outing at Convict Lake. At least four teenagers and both adults fell through the thin ice and into the water. By the time the first rescuer arrived on the scene, only one teenager had been able to pull himself out of the water, but the other teenagers were no longer in sight, having apparently already drowned. In all, three teenagers from Camp O'Neal, an institution for juvenile delinquents located near
Whitmore Hot Springs, and four would-be rescuers drownEd in the freezing water. Another youth and a volunteer fire chief were rescued. Shortly before their deaths, the youths were warned that the ice was too thin to support their weight but failed to heed the warning.
As a result of the drownings, Camp O'Neal was investigated and subsequently shut down due to findings of abuse and neglect.
