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

• Overview

  Out in City and County of San Francisco, California, sits Middle Lake. The land about it is oak and grass. It is low-lying compared with other California water we list. Parkside is the closest town at 1.9 miles. For a city, San Francisco is 4.3 miles off. More in the same country: North Lake (0.2 miles), Spreckels Lake 0.4 miles away, Mallard Lake (0.7 miles), Elk Glen Lake 0.9 miles away and Lloyd Lake (1 mile). Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Middle Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Fish documented in City and County of San Francisco include common carp, koi, striped bass and rainbow trout. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Middle Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year September sits at 63°F and January at 50°F. Winter is a mild inconvenience here, nothing more. Heat pushes fish deep from June onwards, so start early. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. Plan around that when you fish Middle Lake. Water temperature lags the air by a week or so.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. There is recorded parking some 170 yards off. There are picnic tables half a mile away. Toilets are half a mile away, which matters on a long session. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. North Lake sits 0.2 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the current arrangement for Middle Lake.