Young Lakes Fishing near Yosemite Valley, California

• Overview

  Young Lakes sits in Mono County, out in California. The country round it is mixed forest from end to end. At roughly 6 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. The closest town, Yosemite Valley, is 19 miles away. Further out sit Mammoth Lakes (28 miles) and Midpines (42 miles). It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Young Lakes

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Public occurrence data for Mono County names brook trout, rainbow trout and brown trout. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On Young Lakes the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 24°F in February and 54°F in August. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Look for the thaw near late May; the fishing lifts straight after. Expect the water usable from around late May until roughly late November. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. Time your trip to Young Lakes by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. If the gate is shut, Skelton Lakes at 1.9 miles is the nearest alternative. Confirm before you fish Young Lakes.