But the Tahoe region stretches far beyond just Lake Tahoe. One of those hidden gems is Sawmill Lake, a small, secret, private lake praised for its solitude and serenity. Accessible by reservation only, it's one of the best trout fishing spots in California precisely because it dodges the weekend crowds that swarm the more popular shores of Lake Tahoe and Donner Lake. Sawmill Lake is the kind of place that goes completely unnoticed unless you know it's there. Not visible from any major road, it sits between Truckee, Tahoe City, and Kings Beach — three of North Lake Tahoe's busiest hubs.