Fishing at Emerald Lake, Tulare County, California

• Overview

  Out in Tulare County, California, sits Emerald Lake. It sits at 9,206 feet above sea level. This is a pocket water of some 7 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. The closest town, Three Rivers, is 17 miles away. Woodlake is 27 miles away, with Yokuts Valley at 33 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Emerald Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Fish documented in Tulare County include rainbow trout, brook trout, california golden trout and Sacramento sucker. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Take Emerald Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 25°F and August at about 57°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Most months fish reasonably, given the right weather. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. At Emerald Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. You can camp half a mile off, which suits an early start. There are toilets half a mile off. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Aster Lake, 0.4 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. The position on Emerald Lake is worth confirming on the day.