Bass Lake Fishing Spot
- Elevation: 3369'
- Last Modified By: vinny60 on 09/08/09 02:15 PM
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During the colder months, trout are found in the top 25 feet of water. Trollers find decent success pulling bright-colored minnow imitating lures (Needlefish, SpeedyShiners, Rapala's and Rebel's) or nightcrawlers behind flashers, out about 3 colors of leadcore line. As the water warms, the fish move to their deeper haunts. Slow trolling nightcrawlers behind dodgers will sometimes entice fish into striking. Trolling from the Dam to the Sheriff's Tower, and from the Boat Launch to Rocky Point are the more productive areas. Bank anglers can have success fishing these areas with Power Bait, salmon eggs, or nightcrawlers. Bass: (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted) As with many other California lakes, the fishing comes on in early March and continues on through June. Although bass can be caught anytime during the year at Bass Lake, spring-time is the best time to catch bass. Crankbaits in shad or firetiger colors, spinnerbaits in white or chartruese, and plastic baits in browns or purple will all produce fish this time of year. In the summer the bass get a little tougher to catch but top-water baits like the Pop R's and Zara-Spooks will find fish in the early morning and late evening hours. Fishing crawdads, crickets, and nightcrawlers in the dam area, around Lakeside, and the shoreline west of the Sheriff Tower will also entice bass into feeding. Fall months put the bass back into a springtime type pattern, except the fishing is at its best after dark. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits and top-water lures are most productive. Catfish: (channel, white, brown bullhead) Early in the year look for running water, this is where the catfish will usually be hanging out. As the water temperature warms up, cats can be found in the backs of most any coves of the lake with evenings being the best time to fish. Anchovies, mackerel, chicken liver, or nightcrawlers are some of the more popular baits. Panfish: (crappie, bluegill, green sunfish) The crappie fishing starts picking up late February, and the bluegill and sunfish pick up soon after. Small minnows or jigs fished around any of the submerged brushy areas or fishing in the coves where there's underwater structure can produce some fish.
Bass Lake Description
Bass Lake is located at an elevation of 3,400 feet in the Sierra National forest. It has 1,165 surface acres. Water levels fluctuate in this lake but are gneerlaly maintained through Labor Day. While bass are available, there is also rainbow and brown trout, catfish, bluegill, perch, crappie and kokanee salmon for angling pursuits. Bass Lake is one of the most popular vacation spots in Central California. The lake was created back in 1899. It was enlarged 6 years later, and work on the present dam began in 1909. At 3,500 feet in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains, the 4-mile long lake is on the north fork of Willow Creek which is a tributary of the San Joaquin River. Its waters turn powerful, electricity-producing turbine engines for Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), the world's largest non-government utility. Because of its altitude, it's not unsual for Bass Lake to have snow on the ground for several weeks during the winter--not tons of snow...but enough snow to carry chains in your trunk...and, as locals put it, enough snow to be beautiful but not bothersome. Bass Lake is popular for all of the right reasons. It's close to California's Central Valley (1 hour from Fresno) via Highway 41 and only 20 minutes from Yosemite. Nature lovers appreciate the lake, and so do fishermen--it's stocked with trout, bass, salmon, catfish, crappie and bluegill. Water skiers appreciate the warm water--75 to 78 degrees in the summer. The lake has excellent marina facilities. Additionally, Bass Lake has cabin and home rentals, motels, hotels & resorts. Watercraft rentals including ski boats, wave runners and party barges are available. FYI: Bass Lake has various year-round activities. Among them are the $10,000 spring fishing tournament. During the 4th of July, Bass Lake is the place to be--the fireworks display attracts thousands from a wide area. Be prepared; it is very crowded during that holiday period.
Bass Lake is a freshwater artificial lake in the Sierra National Forest, located 14 mi (23 km) from the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park. The lake is sometimes referenced as Crane Valley Lake, the outflows serve the hydro-electric power powerplant operated by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, is impounded irrigation, and is a tributary to the San Joaquin River.[3]