Fishing Haypress Lake in Tuolumne County, California

• Overview

  Within Tuolumne County, California, you have Haypress Lake. The surroundings are open valley. At 10 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. The closest town, Twain Harte, is 31 miles away. Arnold follows at 32 miles, then Cedar Ridge at 32 miles. This one sits near enough to a boundary to be worth checking.

• Where to Fish on Haypress Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Records held for Tuolumne County cover rainbow trout, brook trout and Sacramento sucker. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. At Haypress Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 26°F in December and 58°F in August. A long season, with weather mattering more than the month. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. Expect Haypress Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Failing this one, try Relief Reservoir, 2.9 miles away. Check the current arrangement for Haypress Lake.