Ruth Lake is located at the upper end of the Mad River. The lake is located south of Highway 36, about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Eureka. The advantage to this lake is that is so far off the beaten path that it is hardly ever crowded. It is known mainly for its rainbow trout, but it also offers some good small mouth bass fishing. Panfish also offer an opportunity during the summer months.
Trout fishing is best from fall through spring when the trout are in the upper levels of the lake. Summer trout move to deeper levels, so the best place to fish is towards the north end of the lake. The shallower south end of the lake finds black bass breeding during spring and panfish through the summer months. Panfish can also be found in the arms of the lake.