Staniford Lakes in Madera County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The Madera County entry here is Staniford Lakes, in California. This is open valley ground. At 9 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Yosemite Valley lies 18 miles from the water. For a city, Clovis is 54 miles off. Other water within reach: Vanderburgh Lake at about 0.6 miles, Lillian Lake a shade over 0.6 miles, Chittenden Lake at about 0.9 miles, Madera Lakes a shade over 0.9 miles and Shirley Lake at about 1 mile. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Staniford Lakes

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Species logged across Madera County include brown trout, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass and bluegill. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. On Staniford Lakes the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  August runs about 58°F on average, February about 27°F. Temperature moves within a narrow band, and so does the fishing. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. Expect Staniford Lakes to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Vanderburgh Lake sits 0.6 miles off and takes the overflow. Confirm access to Staniford Lakes locally before you travel.