Fishing at Washburn Lake, Mariposa County, California

• Overview

  You will find Washburn Lake in Mariposa County, California. It sits at 7,618 feet above sea level. At about 53 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. The whole outline is near 1.1 miles, and most of it is walkable. It ranks high for size among our Mariposa County listings. The closest town, Yosemite Valley, is 11 miles distant. Clovis is the closest city, 64 miles away. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Washburn Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Reported across Mariposa County: rainbow trout, brook trout and brown trout. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Washburn Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give August about 55°F and February about 24°F. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around mid May. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid May and starts locking again about late November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Washburn Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Nothing in the way of made access shows up nearby: no ramp, no car park, no path. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. For a change of water, Obelisk Lake is 2.5 miles distant. Confirm before you fish Washburn Lake.