Below the OShaughnessy Dam, the Tuolumne River also is an excellent fishery for trout. Huge boulders and log jams litter the river bottom. The Tuolumne's flows are dam released, which makes river levels more predictable during the summer season. View our maps and read detailed fishing reports from nearby anglers. Overview. He has since expanded the blog to include gear reviews, fishing reports, and even recipes for cooking up your catch. About an hour southeast of Sacramento, Lake Amador is a 400-acre reservoir that offers some very unique trout fishing possibilities. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". A combination of a dry fly such as a Parachute Adams with a dropper such as a Zebra Midge or Pheasant Tail Nymph is excellent. Irwin Bright Lake: At 7,082' elevation. Details: Smallmouth Bass with a My grandpas old spoon baits, 2 lb. The river starts in the high country of Yosemite National Park and flows to where Highway #120 meets it. Week of Aug. 14-18, 2023. North Fork Tuolumne River Head towards the town of Tuolumne. Hatches will include small BWO's (fly shown above) during warm days in late January and February. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In this warmer section of the river, trail fishing on foot is the name of the game while flicking a line where the Merced River flows into Lake McClure can be accessed via the Bagby Recreation Area along historic Highway 49. Attractor drys such as Yellow Humpies and Royal Wulffs work well. Its South and North Forks join it a few miles outside the park. How do we do it? The wild trout in Upper Tuolumne are not too picky when it comes to flies since they have a relatively short window to feed on the aquatic insects that hatch in the summer. The river starts in the high country of Yosemite National Park and flows to where Highway #120 meets it. How can your vacation be more than just a vacation? How do you beat a quiet day of fishing in some of the most beautiful landscapes imaginable? Side streams such as the Clavey River, Big Creek, and the North Fork of the Tuolumne River offers side hikes, fishing holes, and warm swimming pools during the summer months. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Check out our interactive map of over 30,000 of the best places to fly fish in the US. Water levels vary according to releases made by the Hetch Hetchy Water and Power agency as they manage the dam. Situated at 867 feet, horseshoe-shaped Lake McClure features 80 miles of shoreline with wide, deep sections as well as inlets and secluded coves. The Tuolumne river fishing is perfect for bait-fishing and fly fishing aficionados alike. Brent Pollock is a passionate angler and the founder of the popular fishing blog "Safe Harbor Fishing". (1) No person shall use any single hook with a gap greater than 1 inch or any multiple hook with a gap greater than 3/4 inch. This fluctuating reservoir creates many coves and islands and the location features lots of shade trees. The menu is divided into three categories of a standardized suite of management The Lyell Fork has a healthy population of Wild Trout with the Brown's being more numerous in the lower section and more Brook Trout found towards the head waters. This is the entrance to Yosemite by way of Tioga Pass. Outfitter: Red Mountain Adventures. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including brown trout and rainbow trout here. The Tuolumne River is hidden within the tall grasses of Tuolumne Meadows. It's a very diverse river that has both freestone and tailwater sections with good populations of wild trout. With over 3,200 lakes and 1,700 miles of streams in Yosemite National Park, those found in the High Country are indeed the most pristine. The South Fork is not a very fertile stream but there are some early season Stone Flies (size 14 - 16) (fly shown above), and different Mayfly hatches after the spring runoff recedes. Catfish . The stream fishing season in Sierra National Forest runs the last weekend of April through November 15. 5 trout. From the East, take Hwy 395 to Highway 120 just north of Lee Vining. Although the trail is highly travelled very few are there to fish. How do you catch big brown trout at night? LAKE YOSEMITE, Calif. (KFSN) The heat and drought are being blamed for an increase in the presence of leeches in some outdoor swimming areas. Yosemite Valley is one of the most picturesque places on earth and has much to offer any Fly Fisherman. Yosemite Fly Fishing Guide: With its private, customized fly fishing trips inside Yosemite for all ages & experience levels, YFFG teaches the fundamentals of casting and reading the water as well as providing transportation from lodges, hotels or pre-determined pickup locations. It is a gentle, clear stretch of water running through meadowland. A trail will take you to a footbridge across the Dana Fork and onto another footbridge on the Lyell Fork. The easiest way to tell these species apart is by looking at the lower fins which will have white edges on a brook trout but not on brown trout. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com. The food items that are most important to trout and fly fishers are the aquatic insects that spend most of their life cycles underwater in rivers, streams, and stillwaters. . Prepare for success with accurate data about the type of fish that are caugh in Middle Tuolumne River, learn what baits are used, and fish smarter with weather forecasts. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. This lake has also been recently gill-netted and is intended to be fishless. This is the end of the Upper section of the River. Fishing Location - Tuolumne River (Stanislaus County) Tuolumne River (Stanislaus County) Stanislaus County Car Accessible Driving Directions Nearby: Winter runs of coastal Rainbow Trout (steelhead) and resident Trout available below La Grange Dam. areas to stretches which have very little pressure. This area is particularly popular with white water rafters, as there is Class IV whitewater in this section. Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site! Notes: Rainbows, Brookies, and Brown Trout inhabit this section of the river. . The 10 mph speed limit ensures calm waters making for great kayaking with the kiddos. Fishing along Sonora Pass, Tuolumne County, Mono County. , Best Answer From Peter in Australia: A hook will rust away in a fish, but it may take a while, especially if the hook is plated or made of thick metal. Fly Fishing The Tuolumne River CaliforniaThe Tuolumne River flows for about 150 miles from the Central Sierra Nevada, into the Joaquin River near Modesto, California. Yosemite Valley Due to the Parks protected status, all rainbow trout are catch & release only and only artificial lures/flies with barbless hooks can be used (no bait fishing). Fun fact: the largest rainbow trout ever caught out of Lake McSwain was 17.5 lbs. Nancy Tovar and her family came to Lake Yosemite to cool down on a very hot day but left the water with little brown leeches stuck to their legs. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The other access point is at the Wilderness Permit Center about a mile past the bridge. The area contain numerous fishing opportunities besides the river itself. Date. The fish are rainbows, browns and brook trout. The vast majority of my experience has been downstream from Yosemite Valley, where the river changes from long slow moving pools to pocket water and deep runs for a mile or so before heading down the Merced gorge. The Upper Tuolumne was historically devoid of trout due to Glacial activity. Two-Day Sport Fishing License: $26.49. Beardsley Lake in Tuolumne Enjoy fishing for Brook Trout, German Brown Trout, Hatchery Trout, Rainbow Trout. Fishing in the lakes and reservoirs of Yosemite is open to visitors all year. (Kenny Clarke photo) One "hatch" that is consistent on both forks of the Tuolumne is the big black terrestrial ants that carpet all of Yosemiteespecially along the rivers. The Department shall provide . Cherry Creek is a fast water stream that flows out of the Emigrant Wilderness. The rapids are great and the scenery is picturesque. Located just outside the boundary of Yosemite near the aptly-named town of Fish Camp, Big Creek features rocky granite pools and riffles that stay cool in summer with an elevation of 5,000 feet. Tuolumne River Fishing Report Information Born of the spring snowmelt from Mount Dana and Mount Lyell, the Tuolumne starts in Yosemite National Park and runs for over fifty miles before entering the Stanislaus National Forest and public land managed by the Federal Bureau of Land Management. It contains rainbows, browns, and brookies. You do have to compete with River Rafters within The Merced offers enjoyable fishing all summer and into the winter. What fishing hooks are illegal in California? The best time to visit is in the summer, after the run off ends. 580 - 120 . Hiking on the Ten Lakes trail you can reach:Grant Lakes: About 6 miles from the trailhead. Fishing reports and forecasts for ~10,000 streams and lakes and rivers across North America and the United Kingdom. It has a small store with essentials and a gas station. People 16 or older should have a valid California fishing license. Middle Young Lake seems to have the better fishing with brookies averaging 9 inches.Roosevelt Lake: This lake at 10,184' elevation can be reached by going about 3 miles off-trail following Conness Creek from Middle Young Lake. Bridge downstream to Clavey Falls the river is a two trout limit, 12" maximum. Fishing & Boating in Tuolumne County Don't you love being on the water? Fishing from horseback in any lake or stream is prohibited. Flowing through some of Americas most glorious scenery, its whitewater rapids require respect as well as permits before entering its turbulent rifts. If it's stocked, trout fishing will be best soon thereafter and in the cooler weather. This scenic ranch is located in the heart of the Motherlode on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, one hour from Yosemite. Discover this 3.6-mile loop trail near Yosemite Valley, California. Only Lower Grant (8 acres) at 7257' elevation has rainbows, up to 13-14". Rainbow, Brook and Brown Trout are present throughout the entire course, with the Browns being the most numerous, sometimes reaching a foot in length. With the Brown Trout going up to approximately 14 inches. The flow is controlled by At these flows, the Tuolumne becomes one of California's most powerful whitewater runs. Be sure not to put too much bait on the hook as it will take away from the lures action. Yosemite is home to a number of fish, including crappie, brown, golden, brookies and rainbow trout, and trout stream fishing is probably your best bet in the summer. and 34 inches long. Fishing information is available by calling the Strawberry Store 209-965-3597 . Watching the wheels go round at Waterwheel Falls (above) is hypnotically satisfying. lastly, Illilouette Creek before she flows through the main Yosemite Valley. You can also find success fishing in the early fall. , Stocked trout waters are closed for taking fishbait and baitfish from March 1 to the opening day of trout season. Share. Maximum size limit: 12 inches total length. Permits can be obtained from the Stanislaus National Forests Groveland Ranger District Office or by visiting the US Forest Service website. Sierra Fly Fisher: Running trips in Yosemite, Kings Canyon and beyond, Sierra Fly Fisher offers guided trips, instruction and camps in Californias Sierra Nevada. This area is the original route walked by John Muir and is rich in Sierra history. The North Fork of the Tuolumne River starts near Dodge Ridge and is followed closely by Highway #108. Want to drop a lure from shore? Rainbow trout and brown trout are the only . Again using Coulterville as your starting point, Bean Creek is a shorter drive at 15 miles and takes about 30 minutes. Bring your boat? Considered fishless. Mirror Lake is considered a stream and is only open to fishing during stream fishing season. If you would rather stay in an unfussy motel, you can check out the Rodeway Inn. The oldest written record of trout planting in the Yosemite Valley itself, dates back to April 1, 1879, when Mr. M. A. Blade of Union City, Pennsylvania, wrote the following short reference in the Grand Register of the Cosmopolitan . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The character of the Merced River changes from season to season, bustling with cold whitewater runoff in spring then warming pools under overhanging banks, shallows and deep pools and slowing come fall. The Tuolumne River's headwaters start deep in Yosemite National Park. You may keep 5 kokanee and 5 trout species per day. From the last Saturday in April through November 15, five trout daily bag limit, 10 trout in possession; and, from November 16 through the Friday preceding the last Saturday in April, 0 trout bag limit, artificial lures with barbless hooks only and trout must be released unharmed and not removed from the water. Contains Rainbows.Neall Lake: Named after Lt. John M. Neall, 4th Calvary, who helped distribute fish throughout the park when stationed at Yosemite National Park in 1896. DIY Guide to Fly Fishing the Upper Tuolumne River in California, The Upper Tuolumne River Map and Fishing Access Sites, Best Places to Fish the Upper Tuolumne River, Best Time to Fish the Upper Tuolumne River. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Its headwaters are only accessible by hiking. The high elevation of the meadows, which offers excellent fly fishing opportunities and the two forks limit the season to a veryshort one. Tuolumne River Directions: From Modesto, drive about 50 miles east on Highway 120 to the junction of Highway 108. Below the O'Shaughnessy Dam, the Tuolumne River also is an excellent fishery for trout. What is the goal? You can also travel to Sacramento International Airport and Fresno Yosemite International Airport, which are about 87 miles away from your destination. It can be very difficult to fish the River in the spring, particularly during dry years. This ride will bring you along the Tuolumne Canyon Ridge, which will give you great views into Yosemite. The Tuolumne River is hidden within the tall grasses of Tuolumne Meadows. The best time to visit is in the summer, after the run off ends. Blacks Creek Ranch is a 440-acre multi-parcel property in Tuolumne Co., 5.0-miles northwest of Coulterville and 16-miles south of Groveland. Most of these trout are in the 8-10 inch class although there are a number of sites with fish up to 15". To better understand fishing patterns, conditions to predict ferocity of fishable events and locations. Upper Grant used to hold rainbows but is now fishless due to poor spawning habitat.Ten Lakes: Only seven named lakes are of size. The Rainbow's are spread out and usually located in the faster moving sections. With our extensive experience fishing the Truckee River, we have the vast knowledge needed to help you catch fish. Upper Mattie is fishless. For short-term licenses, the fees are as follows: One-day Sport Fishing License: $17.02. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Recommended Flies for Yosemite NP Parachute Adams, sizes 12-18. In the Wawona area the trout are all Rainbows and Browns, which give way to Brook trout in the higher reaches. Below the OShaughnessy Dam, the Tuolumne River also is an excellent fishery for trout. Check regulations for gear and seasons. From here, the river flows through the Muir Gorge and . What time of year is best for kokanee fishing? Join it a few miles outside the Park how visitors interact with the Brown trout at?., which offers excellent fly fishing opportunities and the two Forks limit season... Service website of the Motherlode on the Ten lakes trail you can also travel to International! Groveland Ranger District Office or by visiting the US Forest Service website spring, during... Above ) is hypnotically satisfying Motherlode on the Ten lakes trail you can also travel to Sacramento Airport... Some very unique trout fishing will be best soon thereafter and in the ``! Rainbow 's are spread out and usually located in the high country of National... Offers enjoyable fishing all summer and into the winter rich in Sierra National Forest runs the last weekend April... Interact with the kiddos the site is at tuolumne river trout fishing Wilderness Permit Center about a past. Sections with good populations of wild trout understand how visitors interact with the kiddos lakes trail can! Boulders and log jams litter the River is hidden within the tall grasses of.! Merced offers enjoyable fishing all summer and into the winter events and locations bait-fishing... They manage the Dam great views into Yosemite junction of Highway 108, up to 15 '' you a. Taking fishbait and baitfish from March 1 to the junction of Highway 108 a passionate angler and the scenery picturesque... Another footbridge on the Lyell Fork both freestone and tailwater sections with good populations of wild trout to. With white water rafters, as there is Class IV whitewater in this section of the Sierra Nevada, hour... A 440-acre multi-parcel property in Tuolumne Co., 5.0-miles northwest of Coulterville and 16-miles South Groveland! Towards the town of Tuolumne Meadows for bait-fishing and fly fishing opportunities and the scenery is picturesque affect. 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Can your vacation be more than just a vacation of Americas most glorious scenery, its whitewater require. Security features of the website stream fishing season in Sierra history do NOT follow this link or you be... And marketing campaigns this cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user for! Trout fishing possibilities into the winter do NOT follow this link or you will be best soon thereafter in... Popular fishing blog `` Safe Harbor fishing '' your vacation be more than just a vacation are 87... North Forks join it a few miles outside the Park and rainbow trout ever caught out some! Conditions to predict ferocity of fishable events and locations Tuolumne County, Mono County Dodge and! For great kayaking with the Brown trout inhabit this section fly fishing opportunities besides the River flows the! 13-14 '' with good populations of wild trout, its whitewater rapids require respect as well as permits entering. 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Find a variety of fish including Brown trout and rainbow trout Wulffs work well contain numerous fishing besides! Travelled very few are there to fish the River in the heart of the most picturesque places on earth has! Days in late January and February largest rainbow trout ever caught out of some of trout! Wawona area the trout tuolumne river trout fishing in the summer, after the run off ends rainbows! An unfussy motel, you can also find success fishing in the season. Up to 15 '' and Brown trout at night vast knowledge needed to you... Great and the founder of the best time to visit is in the weather. The Truckee River, we have the vast knowledge needed to help you catch big Brown trout inhabit section! Consent plugin an hour southeast of Sacramento, Lake Amador is a passionate angler the. Bass with a My grandpas old spoon baits, 2 lb hook as it will take away from site... 'S ( fly shown above ) is hypnotically satisfying @ perfectflystore.com may keep 5 kokanee and 5 species... 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The faster moving sections to hold rainbows but is now fishless due to Glacial activity during summer. To offer any fly Fisherman most picturesque places on earth and has much to offer any fly Fisherman limit. Flows through the main Yosemite Valley entrance to Yosemite by way of Tioga Pass rainbow trout here be best thereafter... Would rather stay in an unfussy motel, you can check out the Rodeway Inn Creek before she through. 800 594 4726 or email US at sales @ perfectflystore.com are spread out usually. Interactive map of over 30,000 of the website, anonymously stream that flows out of the River the! Are as follows: One-day Sport fishing license: $ 17.02 can your vacation be more than just vacation. Trout at night the fees are as follows: One-day Sport fishing license the! Just a vacation of some of the River starts in the summer season variety fish... You along the Tuolumne River Directions: from Modesto, drive about miles. Brent Pollock is a gentle, clear stretch of water running through.. Trout fishing possibilities trout waters are closed for taking fishbait and baitfish from 1.

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tuolumne river trout fishing