Lower Emerald Lake in San Mateo County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Lower Emerald Lake falls in San Mateo County, part of California. Height above sea level is 285 feet. A splashy cast here empties the swim; a quiet one owns it. It is a small entry by San Mateo County standards. The closest town, Emerald Lake Hills, is 0.3 miles away. The nearest city of size is San Mateo, 7.5 miles away. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Lower Emerald Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Species logged across San Mateo County include rainbow trout, bluegill, redear sunfish and striped bass. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. At Lower Emerald Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 49°F in January and 65°F in August. Temperatures stay workable through the cold season. October and November give a second good stretch as it cools. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. Time your trip to Lower Emerald Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Parking is mapped about half a mile from the bank. A platform or pier sits within half a mile. A picnic spot sits 0.9 miles from the bank. Facilities run to toilets 0.9 miles from the water. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. The nearest alternative is Upper Emerald Lake, 0.6 miles out. For Lower Emerald Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.