Fishing Searsville Lake in San Mateo County, California

• Overview

  Set in San Mateo County, California, this is Searsville Lake. The shore lies 7.8 miles out. This is a pocket water of some 18 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. It lies lower than most water we list in California. Nearest place of any size is Portola Valley, 1.3 miles away. Woodside is 2.1 miles away, with Ladera at 2.2 miles. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Searsville Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Reported across San Mateo County: rainbow trout, bluegill, redear sunfish and striped bass. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Read Searsville Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 66°F for August and 48°F for January. The season runs year-round, with the peak either side of summer. Shade and hour of day matter more than month. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. Time your trip to Searsville Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. A car park lies half a mile away, so the walk in is short. The water borders Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, so expect the reserve rules to apply. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Failing this one, try Bear Gulch Reservoir, 2.1 miles away. The position on Searsville Lake is worth confirming on the day.