However, early-season snow melt pushes the river to very high levels that are best for experienced rafters. Fly Box - What You'll Need For short-term licenses, the fees are as follows: One-day Sport Fishing License: $17.02. View our maps and read detailed fishing reports from nearby anglers. Here is list of general fly pattern recommendations for the Upper Tuolumne River: A 9-foot 4-wt fly rod with floating line is perfect for fishing dry flies and small nymphs on the Upper Tuolumne River. year round. Nancy Tovar and her family came to Lake Yosemite to cool down on a very hot day but left the water with little brown leeches stuck to their legs. This scenic ranch is located in the heart of the Motherlode on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, one hour from Yosemite. People 16 or older should have a valid California fishing license. Tuolumne River, from Wards Ferry Bridge upstream to the boundary of Yosemite National Park, excluding tributaries (Tuolumne County). Date. Again using Coulterville as your starting point, Bean Creek is a shorter drive at 15 miles and takes about 30 minutes. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The catch here will usually run 3 to 1 Rainbows to Browns. This lake was stocked since the early 1900's with rainbows. Yes. Despite being one of the most visited areas of the Park the fishing is quite good since very few visitors are there to fish! We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. Lake Griffin State Park. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Fishing from horseback in any lake or stream is prohibited. quite good with some Browns up to 8 lbs. Fly fishing the Tuolumne River can range from easy to very difficult, depending on which section of the huge river system you choose to fish. Some can be easily accessed by car along Tioga Road, while others require hiking/backpacking from any number of Yosemites trailheads. Following Highway 120, go 25 miles to the confluence of the South and Middle Fork at Rainbow Pool Falls. Located just outside the boundary of Yosemite near the aptly-named town of Fish Camp, Big Creek features rocky granite pools and riffles that stay cool in summer with an elevation of 5,000 feet. Cherry Creek is a fast water stream that flows out of the Emigrant Wilderness. Need a cold beer and snack once the fish stop biting? of April through Nov. 15Access:Easy to Very Difficult Depending onthe AreaNon-Resident LicenseState of CaliforniaWeatherNational Weather Service Link. The vast majority of my experience has been downstream from Yosemite Valley, where the river changes from long slow moving pools to pocket water and deep runs for a mile or so before heading down the Merced gorge. special use permit in the Sierra National Forest. It is damed to form Cherry Lake and the tailwater section flows into the Middle Fork. The lake is home to a variety of species such as trout, bluegill, bass and catfish to name a few. 24545 Highway 120. With over 55 combined years of experience fishing the Madison River, we have the deep knowledge needed to guide you down this Blue Ribbon River. Roosevelt Lake used to have a number of rainbows reaching 1 lb but these fish have been gill-netted and removed for frog habitat. From the last Saturday in April through November 15 (bait & barbs are allowed) with a limit of 5 trout per day and 10 trout in possession, while the remainder of the year the day and possession limit is 2 trout. 120 is access to the South Fork. The South Fork of the Stanislaus, flowing out of . Fun fact: the largest rainbow trout ever caught out of Lake McSwain was 17.5 lbs. It can only be accessed from the John Muir Trail that follows along the stream. During the early 1970's, only a few hardy souls tried to float the river, but by 1975, an estimated . The Tuolumne River meanders through Poopenaut Valley before leaving Yosemite National Park and entering the Stanislaus National Forest. The Tuolumne river fishing is perfect for bait-fishing and fly fishing aficionados alike. From the West, take Highway 120 from Manteca and becomes Tioga Road once you've entered the park. 2023 Fishidy. Catfish. The Tuolumne splits into two forks above the meadows. 5 trout per day. The Lyell Fork offers fantastic dry fly action, with a good presentation the fish will rise to most of your attractor patterns (14" - 20") such as humpies, elkhair caddis, adams and royal wulffs. Fish Species. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. releases from O'Shaughnessy Dam and will vary by the season. Check regulations for gear and seasons. and 34 inches long. The Dana Fork is very accesible as Highway 120 runs right along side its entire course from its head waters at Tioga Pass to its confluence with the Lyell Fork. The waters of the Merced River above the Happy Isle footbridge follow the general California fishing regulations. Yosemite and High Sierra Fly FIshing Guides. Anglers who are familiar with Tuolumne River and want to make a suggestion to the information provided are asked to use the suggest changes button below on this page. Goldens were planted here in the 1930's, so some of the rainbows may have the characteristic parr marks of a Golden. Tuolumne River California Fishing Report & Options for Selecting Flies: Emailus at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. 140 runs parallel with the river, there are very few turnouts. The tailwater section below Hetch Hetchy Reservoir flows into Lake Don Pedro. In this section, youll find plenty of rainbow, brown, and brook trout. The Tuolumne River is hidden within the tall grasses of Tuolumne Meadows. From Tuolumne Meadows you can hike north of the meadows on a trail to:Young Lakes: Series of three lakes tucked behind Ragged Peak. Dry years can bring the flow down to as low as 50 cubic feet per second, based on the current federal license for MID and TID. Okay, well try to rein in the puns about how its easy to get hooked, or quips about keeping it reel, but fishing in Yosemite Mariposa is indeed recognized as having just the right amount of too many trout. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". DIY Guide to Fly Fishing the Russian River, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing in Lassen Volcanic National Park, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing Eagle Lake in California, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing the Rush Creek in California. Nowadays, you are more likely to find rainbow, brown, and brook trout. Tuolumne River is accessible all year although some day use areas close for the winter. If you choose to float the river, the optimal time is between May and September. And the first Golden Stone Flies will appear in February also. Return Creek has lots of rainbows 8-10 inches throughout its course. Call 916-653-7664 for California Fish and Game Dept. You'll get amazing views into an awesome . Water levels vary according to releases made by the Hetch Hetchy Water and Power agency as they manage the dam. 0 trout. Prepare for success with accurate data about the type of fish that are caugh in Middle Tuolumne River, learn what baits are used, and fish smarter with weather forecasts. 5 trout per day. The trout limit is two-per-day. From White Wolf Campground, its a seven mile hike. One exception is at Frog Creek near Lake Eleanor where fishing is allowed only after June 15 in order to protect spawning Rainbow Trout. (Click the map above at Tuolumne Meadows for a more detailed map) The Lyell Fork follows the Pacific Crest Trail (also the John Muir Trail) for ten miles to it's headwaters. anglers to win cash prizes by hauling in one (or more!) Tuolumne Meadows is the largest campground in Yosemite and sits close to several trails, scenic viewpoints, the Tuolumne River, and even a few lakes. It is a gentle, clear stretch of water running through meadowland. Visitors to Yosemite 16 or older must have a valid California fishing license. Beyond the meadow section, the stream has freestone sections through numerous granite boulders forming pocket water. North of Upper Mattie Lake is Virginia Lake at 9235' elevation. Fish Planting Schedule - Tuolumne County. Tuolumne River Campgrounds is an excellent choice if you are looking for lodging in the area. Brookies and Rainbows have been planted within all of these lakes since 1908. If the fish are not spooked they'll readily except most standard dry flies. Following Briceburg Road as it spurs off Highway 140 brings anglers to campgrounds such as McCabe Flat, Willow Placer and Railroad Flat. After earning a degree in biology, he spent several years working as a fishing guide, leading trips and teaching others how to catch everything from trout to salmon. Jackson Road from Fish Camp will take you further to the north east accessing fishing areas of areas of Big Sandy and Little Sandy. The Tuolumne River's headwaters start deep in Yosemite National Park. Both the main stem of the river and its three forks have numerous tributary streams that also have good populations of trout. Parking Picnic area Trails Peace & quiet Fly fishing Family . The Tuolumne River meanders through Poopenaut Valley before leaving Yosemite National Park and entering the Stanislaus National Forest. Catch some largemouth bass, crappie, blue gill, rainbow trout or red ear perch. Tuolumne river rafting was a blast and guides made it safe, fun and special Had a blast with ARTA on one-day rafting trip on Tuolumne. It is the "put in" spot for rafters and kayakers on the Tuolumne River, but offers overnight Forest Service . The Tuolumne River is hidden within the tall grasses of Tuolumne Meadows. The stream fishing season in Sierra National Forest runs the last weekend of April through November 15. You can also find success fishing in the early fall. What fishing hooks are illegal in California? The Tuolumne River is a mighty river that flows for 149 miles through Central California. It also contains browns, brookies, and rainbows, with the rainbows being more prevalent within the faster portions of the stream. How much is a California fishing license? Brown trout have a limit of 5 per day or 10 in possession. Located six miles below the dam at Lake McClure, Lake McSwain has consistent water levels and is known for its trout (rainbow, brown and brook). 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