Fishing Herring Creek Reservoir in Tuolumne County, California

• Overview

  You will find Herring Creek Reservoir in Tuolumne County, California. The setting is open valley on every side. The water measures roughly 14 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. Some 22 miles away sits Twain Harte, the nearest settlement. Cedar Ridge follows at 23 miles, then Arnold at 23 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Herring Creek Reservoir

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Species logged across Tuolumne County include rainbow trout, brook trout, Sacramento sucker, bluegill and brown trout. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. The shape of Herring Creek Reservoir decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect August to average close to 62°F, with December the cold end at about 31°F. Fishing continues through most of the calendar, with quiet spells rather than closures. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Time your trip to Herring Creek Reservoir by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. You can camp half a mile off, which suits an early start. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Waterhouse Lake sits 2.5 miles off and takes the overflow. Where Herring Creek Reservoir is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.