The fish are always biting at Yosemite Mariposa’s rivers and lakes. Grab yourself some bait and find yourself a spot on one of the many fishing trails and lakes.

A good location is the trail that follows the old Yosemite Railroad bed from Briceburg to Bagby, where you might catch large Brown and Rainbow trout. Lake McClure is a cold water lake making it very good for trout, and King Salmon and Florida Largemouth Bass are also stocked there.

Most of the fishing trails are in Native Trout designated areas, so catch and release rules apply.

Fishing trails include five trips in Mariposa County. A visitor can purchase a five-day or limited fishing license in Mariposa, Greeley Hill/Coulterville, Oakhurst or Fish Camp. A majority of these fishing trails are in Native Trout designated areas so only flies without barbs are permitted. Please check with the Forest Service and review the rules when fishing the Merced River. A catch and release method of fishing will ensure that fish will be available for our future generations.

For information or to arrange for fly fishing guides, contact Blue Heron Sports in downtown Mariposa (209)742-2300.

List of Fishing Locations:

• Tenaya Lake
• Big Creek at Fish Camp
• Lake McClure
• Lake McSwain
• Merced Wild & Scenic River – Briceburg
• Merced River – Bagby to Briceburg
• Merced River – El Portal Hwy 140
• Merced River South Fork
• Harden Lake
• May Lake
• Luken Lake
• Hetch Hetchy
• Tuolumne Meadows

Fishing regulations
Fishing regulations for Yosemite National Park follow those set by the State of California, including the requirement that people 16 or older have a valid California fishing license.

The season for stream and river fishing begins on the last Saturday in April and continues through November 15. The only exception is Frog Creek near Lake Eleanor, where fishing season does not open until June 15 to protect spawning rainbow trout. The late opening includes the first 1/2 mile of Frog Creek up to the first waterfall, including the pool below this waterfall. The late opening also extends 200 feet from the mouth of Frog Creek out onto the surface of Lake Eleanor and along its shore for a distance of 200 feet from the creek’s mouth.  Otherwise, all lakes and reservoirs are open to fishing year-round.

There are some special regulations that apply within the park:

• No live or dead minnows or other bait fish, amphibians, non-preserved fish eggs, or roe may be used or possessed.
• Fishing from bridges and docks is prohibited.
• In Yosemite Valley and El Portal (Happy Isles to Foresta Bridge):
• Rainbow trout are catch-and-release only.
• Brown trout limit is five per day or ten in possession.
• Only artificial lures or flies with barbless hooks may be used; bait fishing is prohibited.
• Mirror Lake is considered a stream and is only open during stream fishing season.
• In the Tuolumne River from the O’Shaughnessy Dam downstream to Early Intake Diversion Dam
• Maximum size limit of 12 inches in total length.
• Trout limit is two per day or two in possession.
• Only artificial lures or flies with barbless hooks may be used; bait fishing is prohibited.

Fishing supplies
Fishing supplies, including fishing licenses, are available in the general stores in Mariposa, Coulterville, Midpines and at the Yosemite Village Sport Shop, Curry Village Mountain Shop, and at the general stores in Wawona, Crane Flat, and Tuolumne Meadows.