Mildred Lake Fishing near Yosemite Valley, California

• Overview

  California holds Mildred Lake, in Mariposa County. It lies 9,554 feet above sea level. It covers about 12 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. Nearest place of any size is Yosemite Valley, 9.3 miles away. Further out sit Mammoth Lakes (28 miles) and Midpines (32 miles). No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Mildred Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Survey and observation records for Mariposa County include rainbow trout, brook trout and brown trout. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Work Mildred Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 26°F in February up to 56°F in August. A lid forms in a hard winter only. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. Mildred Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Should this one be busy, Sunrise Lakes is 0.9 miles off. Where Mildred Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.