They often rave, without exaggeration, about the gorgeous landscapes and the great fishing in the backcountry, but fail to mention the difficulties of reaching such areas without the advantage of vehicles. Most fishing ventures into Coe's backcountry require a considerable expenditure of time and energy. Some of the best fishing is on the far east side of the park, at Paradise and Jackrabbit lakes and Mustang and Kingbird ponds, but it takes at least two days of hard traveling to get to those destinations and at least two days of even harder traveling to get back. Coit Lake and Mississippi Lake, two well known fishing destinations, are relatively easier to reach. But, to get from park headquarters to Coit Lake and back, you have to travel at least 23 miles and climb at least 4,200 feet, and to get to Mississippi Lake and back, you have to cover more than 22 miles and climb about 5,700 feet.
Spring is the most pleasant season in the park, and it's also the best season for fishing.
Fall and winter, between storms, can be quite nice, but fishing is usually slow during the cooler months and during the hot months of summer. If you visit the park in the winter, keep in mind that winter rain storms can quickly turn tranquil creeks into raging, impassable torrents. If you visit in the summer, be well prepared for extremely hot, dry conditions. The following table provides information about popular fishing lakes and ponds in the park. The mileages and elevation gains are for the most commonly taken routes.