Buck Lake in Tuolumne County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  You will find Buck Lake in Tuolumne County, California. Elevation runs to 8,340 feet. It measures about 46 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. A shoreline of some 1.2 miles keeps the choices simple. For a base, Twain Harte sits 28 miles out. Modesto is the closest city, 78 miles away. Not far off: Long Lake just 1.1 miles, Wood Lake 1.4 miles away, Deer Lake just 1.4 miles, Cow Meadow Lake 1.7 miles away and Red Can Lake just 1.7 miles. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Buck Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Public occurrence data for Tuolumne County names rainbow trout, brook trout, Sacramento sucker, bluegill and brown trout. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. On Buck Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect August to average close to 57°F, with January the cold end at about 25°F. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about mid May. From about mid May to around early December, expect open water on the long-run figures. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Plan around that when you fish Buck Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Mapping shows an empty shoreline: no ramp, no jetty, no marked entry. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. The nearest alternative is Long Lake, 1.1 miles out. For Buck Lake in particular, ask before you travel.