Bear Gulch Reservoir in San Mateo County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  You will find Bear Gulch Reservoir in San Mateo County, California. The setting is open plain. At roughly 21 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. It is low-lying compared with other California water we list. West Menlo Park lies 1.4 miles from the water. Woodside is 1.4 miles and Atherton 2.5 miles. The boundary is near enough that local access rules are worth double-checking.

• Where to Fish on Bear Gulch Reservoir

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. San Mateo County records list rainbow trout, bluegill, redear sunfish and striped bass among the fish reported. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Anyone new to Bear Gulch Reservoir should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  August runs about 67°F on average, December about 49°F. Fishing runs all year, with summer the awkward season. The first and last hours carry the summer; the middle is slow. Autumn steadies things again once the heat lets go. On Bear Gulch Reservoir the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. The closest car park is half a mile away, so pack accordingly. There are toilets half a mile off. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. If the gate is shut, Searsville Lake at 2.1 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the position at Bear Gulch Reservoir before loading the car.