The fishing regulatory body for California is California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Tuolumne River The Tuolumne River has one special regulation section. Tuolumne River CA Fishing Reports, Map & Hot Spots Tuolumne River Stanislaus - California 17 catches 222 followers 2 spots Winter runs of coastal Rainbow Trout (steelhead) and resident Trout available below La Grange Dam. [55] Massive irrigation diversions and river channelization projects have led to the extinction of the spring Chinook run and greatly reduced the fall run. Oregon Creek, Middle Fork Yuba River flickr/roger jones You'll find this hidden gem off of the Middle Fork of the Yuba River. [76], By 1853, most of the easily mined gold had been exhausted, and hydraulic mining operations became the dominant extraction method. Fishing the Tuolumne Below Hetch Hetchy (Yosemite National Park) 4,786 views Aug 25, 2021 186 Dislike Share Save Wilderness with Amani 6.55K subscribers I only have an hour or so to explore the. A 9-foot 5-wt fly rod with floating line is perfect for fishing dry flies and small nymphs in the rivers and lakes of Yosemite National Park. Cherry Creek is a fast water stream that flows out of the Emigrant Wilderness. The first known discovery of gold in the area was made by Benjamin Wood, a prospector from Oregon, in the summer of 1848. [90][91], The Hetch Hetchy Valley became the center of the first major environmental controversy in the United States. Like most other Sierra Nevada rivers, the Tuolumne has been extensively dammed to provide flood control, water supply, and hydroelectric power. Share . While you cant fish when the rainbows or browns are spawning in Tenaya Creek, Ive always found that egg imitations work when nothing else will. Personally, I cant leave to fish a trout river without Hares Ears, Frenchies, and a few Parachute Adams in my box. . Print Map. These flies mimic just about any aquatic insect, and are a must-have for anyone looking to catch trout. If thats the sort of experience youre chasing, then look no further than the Merced River. This route follows the Tuolumne River through a deep canyon that leads from the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir to Tuolumne Meadows. Remember that these are small, wild trout and those fish usually respond well to classic flies. Try to keep your gear setup simple; rod, a balanced reel, 4x to 6x 9 foot nylon leaders and a couple spools of tippet. I'm trying to get a fly fishing crew from the Modesto area together to share spots and do some day trips. It can cost between 11 and 35 for day tickets depending on where you are and you will need an up-to-date licence. These fish are also going to be some of the most educated and wary within the park. There are several reaches of the river that are worth exploring. The Tuolumne River received the Wild and Scenic Rivers designation in 1984. Tuolumne River California has some great fishing spots with a number of wildlife species haunting its banks. This trail is 11.4 mi long with an elevation gain of 1,148 ft. If youve never visited before, a guide is a great help. [11] Falls Creek forms Wapama Falls and Tueeulala Falls, two of the highest in Yosemite, as it enters the reservoir from the north. Whether you want to fight trout in tight pockets, or cast to wary fish in deep, clear pools, the Merced offers it all. The Tuolumne River system also consist of the South Fork of the Tuolumne River, a fine fly fishing destination itself, and the Middle Fork and North Forks of the Tuolumne River, which also have both wild and stocked trout. Id carry the following with me everywhere in the park: Fishing season doesnt open until the last Saturday in April, and closes November 15, for fishing streams and rivers in Yosemite. Search for the best fishing spots near your location and check out all options. Spencer has also written a bookLearning to Fly. When you think of Yosemite, the imposing granite faces of Half-Dome and El Capitan likely come to mind. Whether you're a boater, an angler or both, you'll find the waters of Tuolumne County are just fine. If you stick to the lower six miles of the Merced, your odds of finding more solitary conditions where you can try your luck freely is much better. As well dam for water-tanks the peoples' cathedrals and churches, for no holier temple has ever been consecrated by the heart of man. Get Directions to the Fishing Access Points shown above with the DIY Fly Fishing Map. Return and Piute Creeks join the river from the north within the Tuolumne Canyon. If the Merced River in the Yosemite Valley wasnt enough, you can fish the Upper Merced between Merced Lake and Nevada Falls. Water releases from Don Pedro Dam peaked at 60,000 cubic feet per second (1,700m3/s); while this vastly reduced potential damage from the flood, it still exceeded the channel capacity by six times, causing extensive property damage along the river. It has a small retailer with necessities and a gasoline station. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) operates, or has operated, several stream gages along the Tuolumne River. The Dallas-Warner Reservoir (today's Modesto Reservoir) was completed in 1912 on the north side of the river, but was only considered a temporary solution. A 9-foot, 5-weight fly rod will probably be the only one youll need on any water in Yosemite National Park. Last, but certainly not least, is Illihouette Creek. Often, Ive had a day saved from being a skunk thanks to a trout snacking on a black or olive leech. Lakes and estuaries can be huge. Bring your own boat or rent boats and paddleboards at Pinecrest Lake. The origin of the name "Hetch Hetchy" may have been a type of edible grass that grew in the valley, which native peoples made into grain and ground in stone mortars for meal. Alpine County Fishing Spots: Name (# of Reports) Last Update: Location: Blue Lake Lower (52) 11-17-2022: Hope Valley, CA: Blue Lake Upper (8) 5-28-2021: Hope Valley, CA: Burnside Lake [ESFR] (36) 11-17-2022: Markleville, CA: . Continuing along Highway 120 is access to the South Fork. California Department of Fish & Game; 2011-2012 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations; 2011 Fly Fishing Specialties; South Fork Tuolumne River; 2011 Writer Bio Originating at over 8,000 feet (2,400m) above sea level in Yosemite National Park, the Tuolumne drains a rugged watershed of 1,958 square miles (5,070km2), carving a series of canyons through the western slope of the Sierra. For the first six miles, from Rock Garden to Clavey Falls, the rapids come almost non-stop as the river winds and . [20] The gage was not in place during this time. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 23 min to complete. Average streamflow for this time of year is 23860 cfs, with recent peaks last observed at 28,900 cfs on 2023-03-15. Check regulations for gear and seasons. Lyell Fork Tuolumne River has 1 different structures, 1 different species and has 2 fishing locations. About 550,000 people inhabit the Tuolumne River watershed as a whole, with approximately 210,000 living in Modesto.[48][49]. The Lyell Fork also offers 9 miles of river that has little-to-no gradient, thanks to how flat the Tuolumne Meadows area is. [87] A secondary purpose for the construction of the dam was that TID and MID were aware that the city of San Francisco, 160 miles (260km) west of the river, coveted water from the Tuolumne. One of the lesser known benefits of visiting Yosemite though is its exceptional fly fishing in the many rivers, creeks, and streams that run throughout the park. Welcome to Yosemite Outfitters Fly Fishing Guide Service - we fish for Rainbow, Brown, Brook, and Golden Trout.. and we aso fly fish the high the sierra in california, and Yosemite wilderness. [50], Below La Grange, the Tuolumne much reduced due to irrigation diversions flows through a fixed channel with a highly restricted floodplain. Instead, you should focus your efforts on the stretch between Mirror Lake and where Tenaya Creek enters the canyon between Half-Dome and North Dome. Elk Hair Caddis, size 14-28. According to users from AllTrails.com, the best trail to hike for fishing in Yosemite National Park is Tuolumne Meadows to Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp, which has a 4.7 star rating from 357 reviews. Tuolumne Meadows Backpacking Trails Polly Dome Lakes Highlights: Lakes Distance: 6 miles (9.6 km) round trip Elevation Gain: 600 feet (180 m) Permit Demand: Medium Trailhead: Murphy Creek Polly Dome Lakes are located to the north of Tenaya Lake, just past Polly Dome. Glo-bug in sizes 16-20. North Fork Tuolumne River. You will not receive emails from VisitTuolumne.com at this email address unless you sign up for one of our mailing lists. Conditions on the Lyell Fork are ideal during the summer and fall months, and so long as you match the hatch locally you should find the fly fishing action fast and plentiful. Evergreen Road (Hetch Hetchy Road) will take you to the river below the dam. Humans have inhabited the Tuolumne River area for up to 10,000 years. Dry Creek joins the Tuolumne from the north between the airport and the railroad. It is dammed to form Cherry Lake and the tailwater section flows into the Middle Fork. However, this led to overgrowth and a disruption of the natural forest succession process that was previously driven by wildfires.[60]. 2. Stream pools and gravel bars figure more prominently in the channel, allowing the growth of riparian habitat. The Upper Tuolumne River meanders through large meadows with classic undercut banks that provide shelter to hungry trout. Several rafting companies serve the main Tuolumne, a Class IV+ (advanced) river with many rapids changing to Class V when the flow exceeds 4,000 cubic feet per second (110m3/s). This area of Tuolumne River offers fishing access only in a narrow, rocky, mountain stream with shallow pools and riffles. Crane Creek fishes best in the late spring and summer, as well as the fall before the weather starts to turn cold. The river . Check out our interactive map of over 30,000 of the best places to fly fish in the US. The Chesapeake Bay covers 64,000 square miles. Yosemite National Park doesnt impose any additional licensing requirements. Tuolumne River (1) 3-12-2017: CA: Tuolumne River - North Fork (1) 11-29-2016: A well-presented dry is typically all that is needed. Dark . The general consensus is "that the best paddling in is the upper miles while the middle section is better for hikers and canyoneers. Yosemite National Park is one of the most popular in the country. Fishing spots, fishing reports and regulations in Middle Tuolumne River California, United States 35 Logged catches View fishing report ( 35) Suggest changes About Middle Tuolumne River Anyone interested in fishing Middle Tuolumne River or waters within the wider area around Sonora should consult with local resources before heading out to fish. [21] Streams are generally high-gradient, clear and rocky, but large alpine meadows provide riparian and wetland habitat, which contribute sediment to the watershed's runoff. Where you fish on the lake doesnt really matter but getting there does. The fish up here are primarily small, but gorgeous, rainbow trout. In Waterford, turn right on Hickman Road (county road J-9) and drive 1 mile to Lake Road. [24], Between Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and the upper end of Lake Don Pedro the Tuolumne flows through the Sierra foothills, where it has a lower gradient but continues to maintain a fast current. Everywhere that you can see, theres likely fish in this creek. By the end of 1849, there were over 10,000 miners in the Tuolumne River area, half of them in Sonora, which became the Tuolumne County seat in 1850. A tapered 9-foot leader, with tippet size 3X to 5X to match the flies you are throwing, is pretty standard. Frenchie, sizes 14-18. And with a lake record just a hair under 20 pounds, there are some true giants out there. The w. Not all of the flow used by the power plants is returned to the river. The designated reach is the main stem from its source to the Don Pedro Reservoir. The system uses three classifications; Tuolumne has 47 miles (76km) categorized as Wild, 23 miles (37km) categorized as Scenic and 13 miles (21km) categorized as Recreational, for a total of 83 miles (134km) protected from further development.[109]. This is one of the most scenic areas in the park, and you might find yourself distracted by the scenery instead of the fish. The Indians live in their stanos [cellars or caves]". You could pack a smaller 3 or 4-weight rod if you plan on fishing mostly smaller water. [81], As it became apparent that the Central Valley's seasonal rainfall patterns made it unsuitable for dryland farming, farmers organized to build irrigation infrastructure along the Tuolumne River. The foothill region is characterized by trees and plants adapted to a hot, dry climate, including chamise (greasewood), California lilac, manzanita, blue oak, interior live oak (Sierra live oak), and gray pine. We realize bucket-list fish and lifetime memories never come easy, until now. Most rafters put in at Meral's Pool, located about 2 miles (3.2km) below Cherry Creek, for the 18-mile (29km) run to Lake Don Pedro. and give up fishing altogether. Lakes are open year-round, with the exception of Mirror Lake. The Upper Merced is as varied as the portion through the Yosemite Valley, but in a much smaller format. The 7-mile (11km)[6] Lyell Fork rises at the Lyell Glacier below 13,114-foot (3,997m) Mount Lyell, the highest peak in Yosemite National Park,[7] and flows north through Lyell Canyon. Its recommended that you start your journey at the Mono Meadows trailhead, located off Glacier Point Road in the southern part of the park. The Turlock and Modesto Irrigation Districts control the lion's share of water in the reservoir, although the City of San Francisco also has storage rights, which it uses mainly to offset the effects of water diverted upstream at Hetch Hetchy. It is considered one of the most difficult whitewater rivers in the entire United States, with fifteen Class V rapids. [105] Running the Tuolumne within Yosemite National Park was also in a legal gray zone until 2015, when the park opened the Tuolumne and Merced Rivers to limited paddling and rafting.[106]. Click here to see all fishing spots at the Vaal Dam Click here to see all fishing spots at the Vaal River Dowerglen Dam Glenferness Dam Jackson Dam Lonehill Dam Monument Dam Nigel Dam Peter Wright Dam Ruimsig Dam Vanryn These structures break current, providing resting and feeding spots for blues, channels and flatheads. Length 3.8 miElevation gain 265 ftRoute type Out & back. The Tuolumne River from the OShaughnessy Dam downstream to Early Intake Diversion Dam only artificial lures or flies with barbless hooks may be used; bait fishing is prohibited. His guides are characters, many having grown up in the area. Between these two rapids the swimming holes of the Clavey are a popular camping spot during the summer. California Department of Fish and Wildlife website contains lots of helpful information on previous record catches, fishing regulations such as catch & bag limits for Tuolumne County. Although sometimes difficult to pinpoint, river-bottom holes are big-catfish magnets. First things first this isnt a destination for the faint of heart. [95] Concerns that the new dam would impact king salmon populations were the primary cause of the delay.[96]. Enter the Elk Hair Caddis. We understand what fisherman need to be successful in the pursuit of target species across the United States. It's a very diverse river that has both freestone and tailwater sections with good populations of wild trout. We offer fly fishing tours for all levels, in Yosemite National Park, Merced River, Toulumne river, Stanislaus river & Mokelumne rivers. Most of the snowpack that feeds the Tuolumne accumulates in this region. Many of the landscapes in the Tuolumne River area encountered by the first European explorers were thus not pristine but the result of hundreds of years of management; indeed, the famous meadows of Hetch Hetchy Valley prior to its damming only existed because of the annual burn. If the fish are not spooked they'll readily except most . Fly fishing in such a place provides a peak experience few other national parks can match, and if you decide to make the trip you will find the experience offers far more in the way of rewards versus the cost and expense of your journey. [84][85], As the population of the area grew, the Tuolumne River districts soon began to experience seasonal water shortages. Although the irrigation districts had the primary rights to the Tuolumne under the doctrine of prior appropriation, those rights could be relinquished under the "use it or lose it" rule, so storage had to be developed to enable the full beneficial use of river water. The city of Modesto grew up on the Tuolumne as a railroad hub, absorbing most of the population of the Tuolumne valley around the turn of the century. As for flies, those vary by season and fishing destination within the park. Get all the fishing intel you need to start catching more, and bigger, fish. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including brown trout, brook trout and rainbow trout here. The Tuolumne river fishing is perfect for bait-fishing and fly fishing aficionados alike. [86] Construction on the first Don Pedro Dam began in 1921 to store floodwaters of the Tuolumne proper, allowing for the extension of the irrigation season and to provide water during dry years. [59], Humans have influenced natural conditions in the Tuolumne River watershed for centuries. Mayflies, caddis, and a few stoneflies make up the majority of a trouts diet here, and thats what youll want in your fly box. A major tributary, Eleanor Creek, is dammed to form Lake Eleanor, and diverted into Cherry Lake through a tunnel. From here, its 13 miles through rugged country to reach your destination. The Merced offers enjoyable fishing all summer and into the winter. Rainbows, Brookies, and Brown Trout inhabit this section of the river. . [47] Although only about 68,000 acres (28,000ha) (5.4percent) of the watershed itself are farmed, river water is used to irrigate almost five times that area outside the watershed boundaries. Construction of the dam began in 1967 and the river was diverted in September 1968. Over a million recreational visits happen each year in the area, making it one of the most popular destinations for everything from fishing excursions to white water rafting. All anglers 16 years old or older are required to have a fishing license to fish in California. Id recommend long leaders and small flies, as well, to increase your chances of success. [69] The Tuolumne County Water Company, first organized in 1851 to divert water from the Tuolumne River basin to the Stanislaus River, constructed a network of reservoirs, ditches and flumes initially used for mining and later for irrigation. Higher still is the subalpine forest zone between 8,000 to 9,500 feet (2,400 to 2,900m), which is dominated by Western white pine, mountain hemlock and lodgepole pine. The South Fork of the Tuolumne joins from the south a few miles downstream, near Groveland-Big Oak Flat, followed by the Clavey River from the north a few miles after that. Anglers hook excellent rainbow and brown . Advertisement In smaller rivers, holes form below shoals where current washes away bottom substrate. When it comes to fishing in Leeds, the River Wharfe is a great choice. Since the rivers in Yosemite arent open year-round to fishing, the ability to access some places free of snow when fishing season opens makes Crane Creek an indispensable weapon in an anglers arsenal. The view of Big Meadow and the trout population more than compensate for the sooty stretches. In Yosemite National Park, the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne (from Tuolumne Meadows to Hetch Hetchy Reservoir) was first kayaked in 1983. Anyone interested in fishing Middle Tuolumne River or waters within the wider area around Sonora should consult with local resources before heading out to fish. Much of the canyon is only accessible via backpacking or very long day hikes, so you are likely to get away from the crowds . Looking for more places to fish in the area? The Lyell and Dana Fork of the Tuolumne River are a great place to start. Fishing in the Tuolumne River has different regulations than fishing in Yosemite Valley. We invite you to explore the Tuolumne river for yourself. My only experience with fly fishing was from the wonderful book The River Why by David James Duncan, and reading Norman Maclean. [74], For a brief period the lower Tuolumne became a major steamboat route, ferrying prospectors and supplies from Stockton. In November, at the peak of spawning season, hatchery visitors can watch hatchery staff collect eggs. The Tuolumne River system also consist of the South Fork of the Tuolumne River, a fine fly fishing destination itself, and the Middle Fork and North Forks of the Tuolumne River, which also have both wild and stocked trout. An email address is required to associate with your Fishidy premium subscription. [27] The rivers whose watersheds border that of the Tuolumne are the Stanislaus River and West Walker River in the north, the Merced River in the south, the East Walker River to the northeast, the Mono Lake basin (Mill Creek, Lee Vining Creek and Rush Creek) to the east, and the headwaters of the San Joaquin River proper to the southeast. Trip Overview: The 33 mile Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River backpacking trip is considered one of the highlights within Yosemite National Park. While the trout may not be too selective, they are easily spooked due to the crystal clear waters of this alpine stream that flows through smooth granite rock. Find More Fishing Places in Stanislaus County: Bay (2) Lake (15) Stream (55) Stanislaus County, California is home to 72 lakes, rivers, and other fishing spots. As you pass through the front gate station and meander the roads that wind through the valley floor, you can understand why this park is held in such high regard by both tourists and the Park Service alike. Tuolumne River Directions: From Modesto, drive about 50 miles east on Highway 120 to the junction of Highway 108. , from Rock Garden to Clavey Falls, the imposing granite faces of Half-Dome El! Miles east on Highway 120 is access to the South Fork few Parachute Adams my... Turn cold the sooty stretches tailwater section flows into the winter cost between 11 and for... Of 1 h 23 min to complete Fork also offers 9 miles of that... What fisherman need to start fifteen Class V rapids wild and Scenic rivers designation in 1984 not. 120 to the River Why by David James Duncan, and reading Norman Maclean Department fish... X27 ; ll readily except most is `` that the new dam would king... Rod if you plan on fishing mostly smaller water to increase your chances of success, supply! 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