Fishing at Swamp Lake, Tuolumne County, California

• Overview

  The Tuolumne County end of California holds Swamp Lake. The surface lies 5,108 feet up. About 18 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. The closest town, Yosemite Valley, is 20 miles away. Then Tuolumne City, 22 miles, and Twain Harte, 23 miles. Near neighbours include: Gravel Pit Lake at 1 mile, Lake Eleanor after 3 miles, Laurel Lake at 3.9 miles, Birch Lake after 5.1 miles and Cherry Lake at 5.5 miles. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Swamp Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Survey and observation records for Tuolumne County include rainbow trout, brook trout, Sacramento sucker, bluegill and brown trout. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Swamp Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between December at about 37°F and August at about 68°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Fishing runs all year, with summer the awkward season. Heat pushes fish deep from June onwards, so start early. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. On Swamp Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Should this one be busy, Gravel Pit Lake is 1 mile off. Check the position on Swamp Lake before loading the car.