Buena Vista Lake Fishing Guide, Mariposa County, California

• Overview

  The Mariposa County end of California holds Buena Vista Lake. Country round the bank runs to mixed woodland. Small at around 16 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Yosemite Valley at 10 miles is the nearest place to stop. Clovis sits 55 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Buena Vista Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Survey and observation records for Mariposa County include rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout, Sacramento sucker and black crappie. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. At Buena Vista Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 58°F; the cold one sits at 29°F. Neither winter nor summer shuts things down for long. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Buena Vista Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. If the gate is shut, Windy Lake at 0.9 miles is the nearest alternative. The position on Buena Vista Lake is worth confirming on the day.