Fishing at Bass Lake has been a favorite pastime for generations. Since Bass Lake is considered a warm water lake, with an average summer temperature around 76 degrees, therefore it attracts fishing enthusiasts year round. While some people fish for sport, others simply enjoy the thrift of catching dinner. Fishing can be also an opportunity to connect with the family and nature. Some research show that angling has a mindful effect on your brain, like when you are meditating. It helps with concentration, teaches patience, and allows you to disconnect from the rest of the world. It is also a great way to throw back to your own childhood and nostalgic memories. Do you remember when your granddad or dad taught you how to hook a warm?
ABOUT BASS LAKE
Bass Lake sees hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. While a lot of them treat it as a hub for their Yosemite adventures, nearly a half comes specifically for the Lake and water activities. Bass Lake is classified as a “warm water” lake with its temperature reaching 80 degrees in summer months. It is the most popular lake for fishing in the Yosemite Area.
The Lake is approx. 1/2 mile wide and 4 1/2 mile long with the deepest point appox. 100ft near the dam. Did you know that a hundred years ago, Bass Lake wasn’t even a lake? It was a lush meadow, with a little creek (Willow Creek) running through it and surrounded by pine covered hills. It was inhabited first by, Chuckchansi Indians, later by Mono Indians. This large meadow, was named Crane Valley, after flocks of, what they thought, were cranes living in the Valley (they were acually blue herons).
3 Facts about Bass Lake read more…
HOW IT HAS STARTED
At the end of the 19th century, a power company came up with an idea to use the water of Willow Creek to generate power for the residents of San Joaquin Valley. In 1901 they started clearing the valley and built a dam, that reached 145ft. The Reservoir was later named Bass Lake, after fish that was used to replace the original fish, that was lost due to polution caused by the lumber company.
FISHING AT BASS LAKE
Here in Bass Lake, you’ll find a variety of fish, including several that are rare in the area. During the warm summer months, when the water temperature remains between 75 and 78 degrees, salmon become abundant, drawing large salmon boats to the lake. Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Catfish, Crappie and Bluegill are stocked to the lake, making it a great spot for new fisherman looking to test their skills in an easier setting than they might find in Yosemite.
During the less busy months of the fall and spring, black bass are the more popular sport fish among local fishermen. The cold winter months make the lake a perfect environment for Rainbow Trout. These are stocked yearly by the Department of Fish and Game. Before the water warms up in the early summer, the popular Bass Lake Fishing Derby is held. This event helps to reduce the Rainbow Trout population before the waters become too warm for the species.
Stocking the fish at Bass Lake 2021
TIPS FOR FISHING AT BASS LAKE
- Start Early – Getting an early start to your fishing trip has an added bonus on the lake due to a 5 MPH speed limit enforced before 8 am every morning. This time of calm water is a perfect time to work the shore or shallows for that trophy bass.
- Pick the Spot :
- Those fishing with downriggers for coldwater fish like kokanee or rainbow trout do best by working the deep parts of the lake, especially by the dam, around the Wishon Boat Ramp, Miller’s Landing, and up to Fawn Point. That is also the best area for Kokanee. Jet ski area near the dam where many trees are still standing underwater is best for Kokanee angers.
- Shallower sections of the lake are found up by The Pines and along the straight from the Sheriff’s Tower to Fawn Point.
40th ANNUAL BASS LAKE FISHING DERBY 2021
The Bass Lake fishing derby is an annual tradition that is high quality fun for the whole family. 2021 marks 40th anniversary for this popular event. Every year, the first weekend of May, the Bass Lake Chamber of Commerce holds this event to kick off the summer season. While other derbies focus on the length of the fish caught, this one is all about finding those special tagged trout. With three grand prize fish totalling $25,000, be sure to bring along your best angler for the adventure.
The derby usually features around 1000 tagged fish worth various amounts. The breakdown is typically something like this:
3 Grand Prize Fish Worth a total of $25,000!
2- $10,000
1- $5,000
150 – $100
850 – $20
Don’t worry if you miss out on the big prizes during the derby because if the three grand prize fish are not caught during Derby Weekend, they will be worth $500 through the end of June. (Rule #10)
For more information on registration and the rules go to the official Derby website.
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