Bare Island Lake near Oakhurst: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Bare Island Lake belongs to Madera County, California. It lies 8,392 feet above sea level. This is a pocket water of some 9 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. The closest town, Oakhurst, is 14 miles distant. It is 48 miles to Clovis, the nearest city. Not far off: Junction Lake about 0.4 miles, Grizzly Lake 0.8 miles away, Lost Lake about 1.6 miles, Hoggem Lake 2.2 miles away and Dutchman Lake about 2.8 miles. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Bare Island Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Records held for Madera County cover brown trout, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, bluegill and brook trout. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. On Bare Island Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put August near 61°F and February near 32°F. Fishing continues through most of the calendar, with quiet spells rather than closures. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. Bare Island Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Failing this one, try Junction Lake, 0.4 miles away. Check the position at Bare Island Lake before loading the car.