Chilnualna Lakes Fishing Guide, Mariposa County, California

• Overview

  Within Mariposa County, California, you have Chilnualna Lakes. The country round it is open valley from end to end. Small at around 7 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. The town to know is Yosemite Valley, 10 miles out. Further out sit Ahwahnee (19 miles) and Oakhurst (20 miles). Also worth knowing: Buena Vista Lake at 1 mile, Hart Lakes after 1.6 miles, Windy Lake at 1.6 miles, Minnow Lake after 1.8 miles and Ostrander Lake at 1.9 miles. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Chilnualna Lakes

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. 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. Fish Chilnualna Lakes to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between February at about 29°F and August at about 58°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Temperature moves within a narrow band, and so does the fishing. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. It holds true on Chilnualna Lakes more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. If the gate is shut, Buena Vista Lake at 1 mile is the nearest alternative. Treat access at Chilnualna Lakes as something to verify.