Dry Lake Fishing near Greenfield, California

• Overview

  In California, Dry Lake falls inside San Benito County. It sits at 1,519 feet above sea level. It measures about 110 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The full circuit measures close to 1.4 miles on foot. Greenfield lies 15 miles from the water. It is 35 miles to Salinas, the nearest city. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Dry Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Across San Benito County, recorded fish include Sacramento sucker, rainbow trout and bluegill. The county list is broader than any single water. At Dry Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect August to average close to 73°F, with January the cold end at about 47°F. The hard part of the year is the heat, not the cold. The first and last hours carry the summer; the middle is slow. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. Plan any trip to Dry Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. It is recorded as intermittent, which means the basin empties in dry spells. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Should this one be busy, Bear Gulch Reservoir is 6.5 miles off. Signs at Dry Lake carry more weight than any list.