Lake McClure, California: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Lake McClure is a Mariposa County water, California side. The surroundings are dry hill. At roughly 7.5 sq miles it ranks among the larger waters in the region. The shoreline runs to about 60 miles, far more than one trip can cover. It is among the larger waters listed here for Mariposa County. Midpines is the closest place, 18 miles off. Mariposa lies 18 miles off, Tuolumne City another 21 miles. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Lake McClure

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Open biodiversity records for Mariposa County list rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout and Sacramento sucker. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Treat Lake McClure as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put August at about 77°F and January near 45°F. Warm months push fish deep; cool months bring them back. The first and last hours carry the summer; the middle is slow. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. Lake McClure runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. For a change of water, Priest Reservoir is 10 miles distant. Confirm access to Lake McClure locally before you travel.