Lower Merced Pass Lake Fishing in Mariposa County, California

• Overview

  Lower Merced Pass Lake falls in Mariposa County, part of California. This is farm and woodlot country. Surface area runs to about 8 acres — small enough to read in one session. 11 miles away sits Yosemite Valley, the nearest town. After that come Oakhurst at 23 miles and Ahwahnee at 24 miles. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Lower Merced Pass Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Mariposa County records list rainbow trout, brook trout and brown trout among the fish reported. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. On Lower Merced Pass Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 56°F at the top of summer and 26°F at the bottom of winter. Most months fish reasonably, given the right weather. 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. Plan around that when you fish Lower Merced Pass Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Nothing formal is recorded here: no ramp, no car park, no marked path. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. If the gate is shut, Upper Merced Pass Lake at 0.4 miles is the nearest alternative. Treat Lower Merced Pass Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.