Mallard Lake Fishing Guide, City and County of San Francisco, California

• Overview

  Mallard Lake lies within the bounds of City and County of San Francisco, California. It stands 171 feet above sea level. The whole thing is a single swim; walk it in a minute. It is low-lying compared with other California water we list. Parkside at 1.7 miles is the nearest place to stop. San Francisco is the closest city, 3.7 miles away. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Mallard Lake

  No chart reached our records; the first cast is your sounding. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Species logged across City and County of San Francisco include common carp, koi, striped bass, rainbow trout and goldfish. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. The shape of Mallard Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 63°F, the coldest about 50°F. There is no frozen season to plan round. Shade and hour of day matter more than month. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. Mallard Lake fishes to that pattern most years. Wind direction changes which bank is worth fishing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. There is somewhere to leave the car, half a mile off. A pier or jetty stands half a mile away, which helps on a crowded bank. There are picnic tables recorded roughly 110 yards off. Facilities include toilets around half a mile from here. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. If the gate is shut, Elk Glen Lake at 0.2 miles is the nearest alternative. Signs at Mallard Lake carry more weight than any list.