Fishing at Mill Valley Reservoir, Marin County, California

• Overview

  This water sits in Marin County, California. The surface lies 597 feet up. It is low-lying compared with other California water we list. Nearest place of any size is Mill Valley, 0.9 miles away. Tamalpais Valley follows at 1.7 miles, then Tamalpais-Homestead Valley at 2.1 miles. There is no boundary nearby to worry about. Nothing about the setting is dramatic, and that suits the fishing.

• Where to Fish on Mill Valley Reservoir

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Records held for Marin County cover striped bass, Chinook salmon and Coho salmon. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. Mill Valley Reservoir fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 64°F for September and 49°F for January. Heat sets the pattern from late spring onward. Late winter and spring fish steadiest here. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. Mill Valley Reservoir runs to its own calendar within the local pattern. Water temperature lags behind air temperature by days, not hours.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. The closest car park is half a mile away, so pack accordingly. A toilet block sits half a mile away. Part of this sits inside or beside Three Groves, so read the notices. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Failing this one, try Lake Lagunitas, 3.6 miles away.