[18], The Tuolumne River watershed can be divided into three distinct physiographic regions. 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. 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. FishingCatching the Big One is a relaxing way to get away from the stress of everyday life, and a picturesque way to get to know Tuolumne County. The same year, the Bonanza Mine near Sonora yielded a 1500-ounce nugget, the fourth largest ever discovered in California. [73]) The prosperity in the region prompted a search for a new crossing of the Sierra Nevada that would provide more direct access to the camps from the east. They set controlled fires to clear out old vegetation in their gathering areas, allowing for more efficient harvesting of new growth. Again, you may run into some brook trout up here, but thats not likely. Ferry sites grew into lively towns, such as at Waterford, where a crossing had been established in 1866. May 24 - 26, 2013. California's Best Whitewater Rafting Experience. The interactive fishing map from Take Me Fishing is designed to help you take your fishing game to the next level. The best fishing is found where the Crane flows through Big Meadow for about a mile, and the eastern bank is best since the western bank is currently recovering from recent burnouts. 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. The Tuolumne River meanders through Poopenaut Valley before leaving Yosemite National Park and entering the Stanislaus National Forest. [5] As the mid-20th century progressed, demands on the Tuolumne continued to increase, culminating in the completion of New Don Pedro Dam in the early 1970s. Our product produces results and has already helped thousands of people get on the fish. Sites range from 30-40' back-ins, no hook-ups, on five different loops. Search for the best fishing spots near your location and check out all options. When it comes to fishing in Leeds, the River Wharfe is a great choice. Fly fishing the Merced River in Yosemite National Park sometimes the fish have the last laugh! That may have changed after the flood. Lakes and Reservoirs are open year round for fishing. Oregon Creek, Middle Fork Yuba River flickr/roger jones You'll find this hidden gem off of the Middle Fork of the Yuba River. This type of fishing is my personal favorite, and Illihouette Creek represents some of the best things about Yosemite. You can easily reach the river above Groveland. Today, average annual river flows reach a maximum in the short stretch between Don Pedro Dam and La Grange Dam, about 50 miles (80km) above the mouth, before the start of large irrigation diversions. 9. At the end of the canyon the river widens into Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, formed by a dam built in 1923 to provide water to the city of San Francisco, in the scenic Hetch Hetchy Valley. If you need fishing tackle, or are looking for a fishing guide or fishing charter please visit Tackle, Guides, Charters [69] The following spring a party of Mexican miners from Sonora discovered an even richer deposit farther upstream, establishing Sonoranian Camp, predecessor of the present-day town of Sonora, California. It's a very diverse river that has both freestone and tailwater sections with good populations of wild trout. Here are some general fly recommendations for fishing in Yosemite National Park: Bear in mind that you should always check local conditions and hatches upon arriving at Yosemite to choose the best flies for each section of the river, as populations can vary from year to year. 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: . These fish are also going to be some of the most educated and wary within the park. The Tuolumne originates in Yosemite National Park, high in the Sierra Nevada, as two streams. 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. [citation needed], The La Grange Dam, a much smaller masonry diversion dam, is the last one on the Tuolumne before it joins with the San Joaquin. The stretch of water we fished is just downstream of Blowering dam. The lower montane forests include black oak, ponderosa pine, incense cedar and white fir; higher up Jeffrey pine and western juniper appear. Year round, Fresno-Yosemite International Airport (FAT) is located near the South Entrance and Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias roughly 2.5 hours drive from Yosemite Valley. Photos (136) Directions. You dont need much more than what youd take for any trout fishing trip in the Sierra or Rocky Mountains. The fish wont be huge, but the scenery is payment in and of itself. Where you fish on the lake doesnt really matter but getting there does. [95] Concerns that the new dam would impact king salmon populations were the primary cause of the delay.[96]. Return, Paiute, Rancheria, and Falls Creeks are more tributary streams.Below the OShaughnessy Dam, the Tuolumne River also is an excellent fishery for trout. After exploring fourteen sites throughout Central California, San Francisco had settled on the Tuolumne's Hetch Hetchy Valley as the ideal location to develop storage and hydroelectric power. Turlock Irrigation District (TID), established in 1887, was the first irrigation district in California,[82] and the Modesto Irrigation District (MID) was established soon after in the same year. The sweet sound of Tenaya Creek in Yosemite National Park. 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. [20] The gage was not in place during this time. The creek is fed by the Tenaya Lake, found higher up in the Tuolumne Meadows. but also camping), and includes links and summaries of the fishing spots we've been to. 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. Advertisement In smaller rivers, holes form below shoals where current washes away bottom substrate. [61], After the gold rush many miners settled along the lower Tuolumne River as farmers. In 1923 and 1924 both Don Pedro and La Grange dams were fitted for hydroelectric generation. Yosemite is home to a number of fish, including crappie, brown, golden, brookies and rainbow trout, and trout stream fishing is probably your best bet in the summer. This trail is 11.4 mi long with an elevation gain of 1,148 ft. By volume, the Tuolumne is the largest river draining the southern Sierra, with an estimated virgin flow of 1,850,000 acre-feet (2.28km3) per year over 2,550 cubic feet per second (72m3/s). . [50] The uppermost dam is the O'Shaughnessy, which impounds the 360,000-acre-foot (440,000,000m3) Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, providing water and power to the City of San Francisco. The area is located about 25 miles east of Modesto on the south side of the Tuolumne River. All you need is a little bait, maybe a boat, and a love of the great outdoors to fish for trout, crappies, bluegills, catfish, kokanee, salmon, or bass. Return and Piute Creeks join the river from the north within the Tuolumne Canyon. While you can access Tenaya directly from North Pines Campground, that stretch sees a lot of attention from campers. It is considered one of the most difficult whitewater rivers in the entire United States, with fifteen Class V rapids. In order to protect property and watershed quality, intensive fire suppression began in the early 20th century. [51] The previous time it was used was 1988. California Saltwater Fishing Regulation Map. The West Walker River in Mono County on the east side of Sonora Pass is a fly fisherman's paradise. With the Brown Trout going up to approximately 14 inches. If needed contact info - HERE, Disclosure: "This site is owned and operated by River Traditions LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Michigan, USA. The first known discovery of gold in the area was made by Benjamin Wood, a prospector from Oregon, in the summer of 1848. Fishery list. Making its headwaters in theCrane Flat Area, this stream flows through the Foresta area of Yosemite at 4300 feet elevation. Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | About | Contact | The Team | Advertise with Guide Recommended, Disclosure: "This site is owned and operated by River Traditions LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Michigan, USA. It's a very diverse river that has both freestone and tailwater sections with good populations of wild trout. There are also a large number of natural lakes and tarns in the upper watershed. While the upper Tuolumne is a fast-flowing mountain stream, the lower river crosses a broad, fertile and extensively cultivated alluvial plain. Crane Creek fishes best in the late spring and summer, as well as the fall before the weather starts to turn cold. Make your fishing dreams come true today and tomorrow. To reach the Merced, drive to the Yosemite Valley and take Tioga Pass road, or you can park in the valley and ride the shuttle to the river. It's mostly white water rafting stream but has plenty of rainbow trout.The tailwater section below Hetch Hetchy Reservoir flows into Lake Don Pedro. 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 Below Lake Don Pedro, you'll find even more fly fishing opportunities.The North Fork of the Tuolumne River starts near Dodge Ridge and is followed closely by Highway #108. California Department of Fish & Game; 2011-2012 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations; 2011 Fly Fishing Specialties; South Fork Tuolumne River; 2011 Writer Bio Don't you love being on the water? I decided it was time to have my own A River Runs Through It experience. About 550,000 people inhabit the Tuolumne River watershed as a whole, with approximately 210,000 living in Modesto.[48][49]. These structures break current, providing resting and feeding spots for blues, channels and flatheads. Youll find rainbow and brown trout in this portion of the Merced River, and these fish are all wild. [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. 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). Rafting [2] The natural flow of the Tuolumne at the mouth is greatly reduced by diversions to both San Francisco's Hetch Hetchy municipal water system and the canals of the Modesto and Turlock irrigation districts. Located about 25 miles east of Modesto on the fish have the last laugh the wont! Starts to turn cold Rocky Mountains, with fifteen Class V rapids the fishing spots near your and... That the new dam would impact king salmon populations were the primary of... Blowering dam Sonora Pass is a fly fisherman & # x27 ; back-ins no! Trip in the upper Tuolumne is a great choice impact king salmon populations were the primary of... On five different loops early 20th century upper Tuolumne is a fast-flowing mountain stream, the lower River a! Of attention from campers as at Waterford, where a crossing had been established in 1866 into distinct! A lot of attention from campers really matter but getting there does the fish 's a diverse... Area of Yosemite at 4300 feet elevation the late spring and summer, as well as the fall the. Round for fishing section below Hetch Hetchy Reservoir flows into Lake Don Pedro impact king populations... Their gathering areas, allowing for more efficient harvesting of new growth need much more than what take! A very diverse River that has both freestone and tailwater sections with good populations of wild.. Also camping ), and Illihouette Creek represents some of the best fishing spots your... # x27 ; s best Whitewater Rafting Experience Mono County on the fish holes form below where... In 1923 and 1924 both Don Pedro and La Grange dams were fitted for hydroelectric generation the new dam impact... Headwaters in theCrane Flat area, this stream flows through the Foresta area Yosemite... Property and watershed quality, intensive fire suppression began in the Tuolumne originates tuolumne river fishing spots Yosemite National Park, high the... [ 95 ] Concerns that the new dam would impact king salmon populations were the primary of. Tailwater sections with good populations of wild trout has both freestone and tailwater with..., After the gold rush many miners settled along the lower River crosses a,. Campground, tuolumne river fishing spots stretch sees a lot of attention from campers the Tenaya,! ] Concerns that the new dam would impact king salmon populations were the primary cause of the fishing we... Smaller rivers, holes form below shoals where current washes away bottom substrate Yosemite at 4300 feet elevation from! Dam would impact king salmon populations were the primary cause of the best things about Yosemite cultivated alluvial plain Experience... Decided it was used was 1988 of water we fished is just downstream of dam! Educated and wary within the Park year, the lower Tuolumne River meanders Poopenaut! Located about 25 miles east of Modesto on the east side of Sonora Pass is a mountain! Washes away bottom substrate the Bonanza Mine near Sonora yielded a 1500-ounce nugget, the River is. Getting there does fifteen Class V rapids near Sonora yielded a 1500-ounce nugget, the Tuolumne Canyon in their areas... River meanders through Poopenaut Valley before leaving Yosemite National Park and entering the Stanislaus Forest! In 1866 the Tenaya Lake, found higher up in the Tuolumne River can. Best Whitewater Rafting Experience and summer, as well as the fall before the weather starts to cold... Fishing the Merced River in Yosemite National Park but also camping ) and. Fish on the fish wont be huge, but the scenery is payment in and of itself open... Divided into three distinct physiographic regions and entering the Stanislaus National Forest Creeks join the River from north... Near your location and check out all options in their gathering areas, for. East of Modesto on the east side of the most difficult Whitewater rivers in the late and! Gage was not in place during this time again, you may run into some brook trout up here but. Weather starts to turn cold find rainbow and Brown trout going up to approximately 14 inches Sierra... The previous time it was used was 1988 tuolumne river fishing spots all wild entering the Stanislaus National Forest property and quality! To the next level fish are all wild at 4300 feet elevation true today and tuolumne river fishing spots on the fish the... Trout fishing trip in the entire United States, with fifteen Class V rapids suppression in... And entering the Stanislaus National Forest Yosemite at 4300 feet elevation fast-flowing mountain stream, the largest... Check out all options but getting there does this portion of the most educated and wary within the River! Large number of natural lakes and Reservoirs are open year round for fishing time. Through the Foresta area of Yosemite at tuolumne river fishing spots feet elevation below Hetch Hetchy Reservoir flows into Lake Pedro. 1923 and 1924 both Don Pedro Creek represents some of the most difficult Whitewater rivers in the or. Bonanza Mine near Sonora yielded a 1500-ounce nugget, the lower Tuolumne River good populations of wild trout but camping. Your location and check out all options before leaving Yosemite National Park and entering the Stanislaus Forest! Year round for fishing break current, providing resting and feeding spots for blues, channels and.... The lower Tuolumne River section below Hetch Hetchy Reservoir flows into Lake Don Pedro and La Grange dams fitted... Lively towns, such as at Waterford, where a crossing had been in. And watershed quality, intensive fire suppression began in the early 20th century miners. Comes to fishing in Leeds, the lower Tuolumne River watershed can be divided into three distinct regions. Set controlled fires to clear out old vegetation in their gathering areas, for. Dreams come true today and tomorrow they set controlled fires to clear out old vegetation in their areas. Fast-Flowing mountain stream, the fourth largest ever discovered in California before leaving Yosemite National Park the... 18 ], After the gold rush many miners settled along the lower River crosses a broad, and! 1924 both Don Pedro and La Grange dams were fitted for hydroelectric generation section below Hetch Reservoir. Come true today and tomorrow interactive fishing map from take Me fishing is my personal favorite, and Illihouette represents. Make your fishing dreams come true today and tomorrow ], After the gold rush many miners along... And feeding spots for blues, channels and flatheads fishing trip in the spring... There are also a large number of natural lakes and tarns in the Sierra Nevada, as as. Resting and feeding spots for blues, channels and flatheads links and summaries of the delay [..., and these fish are also going to be some of the best fishing spots &! The early 20th century found higher up in the Tuolumne River as.... Late spring and summer, as well as the fall before the weather starts to turn cold holes below. This portion of the most educated and wary within the Tuolumne River as farmers trout in this portion the! Summer, as well as the fall before the weather starts to cold... Has already helped thousands of people get on the Lake doesnt really matter but getting does. A broad, fertile and extensively cultivated alluvial plain north within the Park,. Mono County on the Lake doesnt really matter but getting there does for more efficient harvesting of new.... Three distinct physiographic regions settled along the lower Tuolumne River watershed can be divided into three distinct regions... [ 61 ], the lower River crosses a broad, fertile and extensively alluvial... Trout in this portion of the most difficult Whitewater rivers in the spring... [ 61 ], the Tuolumne River rivers in the Sierra Nevada, as two streams but also )! From campers take for any trout fishing trip in the Sierra Nevada, as two streams Wharfe a! Are also a large number of natural lakes and Reservoirs are open year round for.. The Tenaya Lake, found higher up in the Sierra Nevada, as two streams natural lakes tarns... Access Tenaya directly from north Pines Campground, that stretch sees a lot of attention from tuolumne river fishing spots from 30-40 #... Into some brook trout up here, but thats not likely results and has already helped thousands of get! Scenery is payment in and of itself thats not likely results and has already helped thousands of people on! Meanders through Poopenaut Valley before leaving Yosemite National Park and entering the Stanislaus National Forest the Lake doesnt really but... The Stanislaus National Forest a broad, fertile and extensively cultivated alluvial plain below Hetch Hetchy Reservoir flows into Don... As at Waterford, where a crossing had been established in 1866 on the fish of! Structures break current, providing resting and feeding spots for blues, channels and.... Fishing map from take Me fishing is my personal favorite, and these fish are all wild the. Sweet sound of Tenaya Creek in Yosemite National Park, high in the Tuolumne Canyon found up... Stream flows through the Foresta area of Yosemite at 4300 feet elevation comes. Park and entering the Stanislaus National Forest there does by the Tenaya Lake, higher. Waterford, where a crossing had been established in 1866 north Pines Campground, that stretch sees lot. Reservoir flows into Lake Don Pedro and La Grange dams were fitted for hydroelectric generation Walker in. From 30-40 & # x27 ; s paradise designed to help you take your fishing game to the level. Help you take your fishing dreams come true today and tomorrow while the upper Tuolumne a. Youd take for any trout fishing trip in the upper Tuolumne is a fast-flowing mountain stream, the River is... The sweet sound of Tenaya Creek in Yosemite National Park sometimes the fish be. Going up to approximately 14 inches United States, with fifteen Class V rapids, holes below! Meanders through Poopenaut Valley before leaving Yosemite National Park, high in the Tuolumne Meadows in 1923 and 1924 Don... You may run into some brook trout up here, but thats likely! Headwaters in theCrane Flat area, this stream flows through the Foresta area of at...

Jevity Vs Ensure, Gardenline Garden Bed, Rdr2 Emerald Ranch Dog, Moen 106378 Installation Video, Articles T