Fishing at Avonelle Lake, Tuolumne County, California

• Overview

  Tuolumne County, California, is where Avonelle Lake sits. It sits at 8,337 feet above sea level. At about 29 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. You are 22 miles from Yosemite Valley. Then Twain Harte, 32 miles, and Tuolumne City, 33 miles. In the same area: 1.1 miles away is Wilma Lake, Mahan Lake after 1.4 miles, 1.9 miles away is Upper Branigan Lake, Little Otter Lake after 1.9 miles and 2.4 miles away is Otter Lake. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Avonelle Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Tuolumne County records list rainbow trout, brook trout, Sacramento sucker and bluegill among the fish reported. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. On Avonelle Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year August sits at 58°F and February at 27°F. Neither winter nor summer shuts things down for long. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Plan any trip to Avonelle Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. A campsite is mapped about half a mile away, which makes an early start easier. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. If the gate is shut, Wilma Lake at 1.1 miles is the nearest alternative. The position on Avonelle Lake is worth confirming on the day.