Fishing in Yosemite

Yosemite National Park offers good sport and fly fishing opportunities. There are 58 streams throughout the park with a combined length of 770 miles! There are also many mountain lakes people can fish in anytime.

Fishing in the lakes and reservoirs of Yosemite is open to visitors all year. Stream and river fishing season begins the last Saturday in April and continues through November 15. One exception is at Frog Creek near Lake Eleanor where fishing is allowed only after June 15 in order to protect spawning Rainbow Trout. Also, Mirror Lake is considered a stream so it is only open during fishing season.

In order to fish in an around the park, people 16 years of age or older must have a valid California fishing license. These sportfishing licenses should be attached to outer clothing at or above the waistline so it is plainly visible. Licenses and other fishing supplies can be obtained at Yosemite Village Sports Shop, Curry Village Mountain Shop, and at general stores in Tuolumne Meadows, Crane Flat, and Wawona.

FISH: The fish commonly identified in Yosemite Park are various forms of trout, but it was not always this way. Rainbow is the only trout native to Yosemite Valley, and most of the other fish here had to be introduced. The Sacramento Sucker is another native species in abundance here. Some California Roach, Hardhead, Riffle Sculpin, and Sacramento Pike-Minnow are native to this region but relatively uncommon. Brown and Brook Trout were introduced and can be found along with Rainbow Trout in streams and lakes throughout the park. Cutthroat and Golden Trout were also introduced, but they are rarely found in Yosemite.

HOT SPOTS: Visitors claim fishing in the park tends to be better at lower elevations. The Merced Lake, located in eastern Yosemite Valley, and the Merced River both offer lively fishing all summer and into the winter months. The Merced River is popular among fly fishermen. This picturesque river flows through steep canyon walls and the Merced Gorge which is about 8 miles long. Rainbow Trout are the most abundant in the river, and Brown Trout takes a close second. The South Fork of the Merced River is known for having a large trout population. Rainbow, Brown, and some Brook Trout can be found here. This river begins to warm up around March, but visitors aren't allowed to fish in these waters until the season opens in late April.

The Tuolumne River flows through the tall grasses of the Tuolumne Meadow. Rainbow, Brook, and Brown Trout are all found toward the head of the river.

The Dana Fork of the Tuolumne River flows out of Mount Dana, which is about 13,000 feet high. This fork is accessible from Highway 120. Brown Trout are large and plentiful here. Rainbow and Brook Trout are also in the Dana Fork.

The Lyell Fork of the river flows 10 miles downstream through Lyell Canyon and meets at Dana Fork to form the Tuolumne River. The lower end of this fork is the only area with road access. The headwaters have numerous Brook Trout while more Brown Trout are generally located in the lower section of the Lyell Fork. Rainbow Trout can be found throughout the Tuolumne River, and are more common in fast-flowing sections of the river. Fishermen say they usually have good luck catching these trout in the stretch of river above Hetch Hetchy.

Tenaya Lake is another great place to fish because it is easy to get there by car. It is located between Yosemite Valley and the Tuolumne Meadows. This lake is known for producing a large quantity of Brook Trout. The lake and the Tenaya Creek which flows from it have Rainbow and Brown Trout as well.

Fishing outside of Yosemite is a great option for visitors. The Forest Service stocks trout in the waters of the Inyo National Forest nearby. The Inyo extends 165 miles along the California/Nevada border. Many lakes and streams are located throughout the national forest's 2 million acres of land. Brook, Brown, Rainbow, Golden, and Cutthroat Trout can all be found in abundance here.

REGULATIONS: People are prohibited from using live bait such as minnows, amphibians, or roe. Only artificial flies and lures with barbless hooks may be used when fishing at Yosemite Park.

In Yosemite Valley and El Portal, which is east of Foresta Bridge, Rainbow Trout are catch-and-release only. The limit for Brown Trout is 5 per day and people cannot exceed ten of these fish total.

The area from O'Shaughnessy Dam to Early Interlake Diversion Dam downstream on the Tuolumne River also has special regulations. Fish caught here may not exceed 12 inches in length. The limit for trout is 2 per day or a total of two in possession.
 

For more information on Yosemite Park call National Park Reservations toll free at 866.875.8456 today!