Smedberg Lake Fishing near Yosemite Valley, California

• Overview

  In California, Smedberg Lake falls inside Mono County. It lies 9,249 feet above sea level. It runs to roughly 43 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. On our Mono County list it sits near the top for size. For a base, Yosemite Valley sits 20 miles out. The nearest city of size is Clovis, 83 miles away. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Smedberg Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Reported across Mono County: brook trout, rainbow trout and brown trout. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Treat Smedberg Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, August reads 53°F and February reads 22°F. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around early June. The season between ice runs from about early June to late November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. It holds true on Smedberg Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. If the gate is shut, Sister Lake at 0.6 miles is the nearest alternative. Rules at Smedberg Lake are worth checking on the day.