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. Whether you're a boater, an angler or both, you'll find the waters of Tuolumne County are just fine. [54] With the exception of the Merced River immediately south, this is the southernmost existing population of Chinook salmon in North America. Estimates of the first human habitation along the Tuolumne River range from 3000 to 7000 BC. Melting ice feeds the upper reaches of the Tuolumne River, maintaining water flow in the late summer when many other streams in the region are dry. The embankment was topped out on May 28, 1970, and the project was formally dedicated on May 22, 1971, after four years of construction and a total cost of over $110 million. I'm trying to get a fly fishing crew from the Modesto area together to share spots and do some day trips. Side streams such as the Clavey River, Big Creek, and the North Fork of the Tuolumne River offers side hikes, fishing holes, and warm swimming pools during the summer months. [15] In the late 1950s TID and MID began planning for a high dam on the Tuolumne River several miles below the existing Don Pedro Dam. The foothill region is characterized by trees and plants adapted to a hot, dry climate, including chamise (greasewood), California lilac, manzanita, blue oak, interior live oak (Sierra live oak), and gray pine. Click on any of the pins on the Stanislaus County map or narrow your search by selecting a place type (e.g. Welcome to Yosemite Outfitters Fly Fishing Guide Service - we fish for Rainbow, Brown, Brook, and Golden Trout.. and we aso fly fish the high the sierra in california, and Yosemite wilderness. Elk Hair Caddis, size 14-28. "[92] The Hetch Hetchy debacle is often credited with birthing modern environmentalism, sharply dividing the conservation movement which favored the development of natural resources for public benefit and the preservationists, who believed that sites of scenic value like Hetch Hetchy were better left for public recreation and enjoyment.[93]. Visit our DIY Guide to the Best Fly Fishing in California and Nevada. Long Leaders for these Selective Trout Thankfully, the Lyell Fork offers great fishing. BoatingWhether you prefer paddling or going a bit faster on the water, there's a lake or river waiting for you. Red spots in a light halo Brown Trout Salmo trutta Background color is yellow or brown Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss ssp. The Tuolumne River from the OShaughnessy Dam downstream to Early Intake Diversion Dam only artificial lures or flies with barbless hooks may be used; bait fishing is prohibited. Hydroelectric power reached San Francisco by 1925, but the first water was not delivered until 1934. Its recommended that you start your journey at the Mono Meadows trailhead, located off Glacier Point Road in the southern part of the park. This is when the high country really opens up and gives you the chance to experience as much of the park as you can explore. In Waterford, turn right on Hickman Road (county road J-9) and drive 1 mile to Lake Road. The South Fork of the Tuolumne joins from the south a few miles downstream, near Groveland-Big Oak Flat, followed by the Clavey River from the north a few miles after that. If you need fishing tackle, or are looking for a fishing guide or fishing charter please visit Tackle, Guides, Charters Hares Ear in sizes 14-18. 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. View Map No use of live or dead minnows for bait, or other fish or amphibians, Fishing from bridges and docks is prohibited, Sections of the Yosemite Valley are subject to artificial fly-and-lure only tackle restrictions, in addition to harvest limits, Other areas of the park are also subject to similar restrictions. Again, you may run into some brook trout up here, but thats not likely. Tuolumne River - CA River Information Fish Species: Rainbow Trout Latest Fish Reports Detailed Map ABOUT US SportfishingReport.com Built by Avid Sportsman for Avid Sportsman! The decline of native perennial grasses caused invasive annual species to flourish, and also increased the susceptibility of the watershed to wildfires. 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. The tailwater fishery below the dam eventually gives way to a freestone fishery as you wind your way down toward Groveland, CA. The Merced is still, in spite of its grandeur, a trout fishery. It has a small store with essentials and a gas station. Clear Lake is a n 8 acre lake located in Tuolumne County. In its native state the fall Chinook run alone may have numbered as high as 130,000. You can now use your online account to book a match or buy a season permit for one of our stunning commercial fisheries. In November, at the peak of spawning season, hatchery visitors can watch hatchery staff collect eggs. [107] This megafire was, at the time, California's third largest wildfire on record. Watch for logging trucks. As you pass through the front gate station and meander the roads that wind through the valley floor, you can understand why this park is held in such high regard by both tourists and the Park Service alike. [64][65] At this time, the Native American population along the lower Tuolumne and Stanislaus Rivers is believed to have been approximately two thousand. North Fork Tuolumne River is a stream located just 4.6 miles from Tuolumne City, in Tuolumne County, in the state of California, United States, near Buchanan, CA. [10], After the confluence of the forks in Tuolumne Meadows, the river meanders northwest, passing under Tioga Road. You can just venture off-trail, follow a blue line on the map, and likely get into good fish. The confluence of the Tuolumne and San Joaquin is located in the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge, about 2 miles (3.2km) north of Grayson in Stanislaus County.[17]. Dana Fork is accessible from Highway #120, which runs nearby from its head waters at Tioga Pass all the way to the streams confluence with the Lyell Fork. Bottom: Waterwheel Falls, the tallest of several waterfalls along the Tuolumne River. While you cant fish when the rainbows or browns are spawning in Tenaya Creek, Ive always found that egg imitations work when nothing else will. For information about fishing on the Stanislaus National Forest. The same year, the Bonanza Mine near Sonora yielded a 1500-ounce nugget, the fourth largest ever discovered in California. "[103], The Clavey River, not being located in the national park, is open to public access, but due to its remoteness and difficulty (Class V+), and the short window of boatable spring runoff, it is only run by a handful of kayakers each year. The Tuolumne is considered a classic California whitewater run, and has been used recreationally since the 1960s. [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. Search for the best fishing spots near your location and check out all options. Father Pedro Muoz, a member of the 1806 expedition, noted in his diary that "we came upon a village called Tautamne. You can get a great view of the canyon from the aptly-named Rim of the World Vista off Hwy 120. Basin Creek. of the Merced River above the Happy Isle footbridge follow the general California fishing regulations. To find North Fork Tuolumne River enter the 37.89687 latitude, and -120.253799 longitude coordinates into your GPS device or smart phone. The fish wont be huge, but the scenery is payment in and of itself. It's focused on fishing accommodation (chalets, resorts, houses etc. Locations 5 Fishing Locations United States California Modesto Waterford Wilderness Species Structures Recipes Nearby Areas: Bass Lake Bass Lake has 4 different structures, 6 different species and has 20 fishing locations. Located in a remote, forested area just West of Yosemite National Park, the south fork of Tuolumne River is a steep, rocky stream, with pools and riffles. A major tributary, Eleanor Creek, is dammed to form Lake Eleanor, and diverted into Cherry Lake through a tunnel. Hetch Hetchy Valley was one of the main summer grazing areas for sheep. And probably a 3-weight fly rod, just for good measure. California Department of Fish and Wildlife website contains lots of helpful information on previous record catches, fishing regulations such as catch & bag limits for Tuolumne County. Our break down of the different structures, along with our how to catch tips and tricks gives you the edge you've always wanted. More than 300,000 acres (120,000ha) in the San Joaquin Valley are irrigated using Tuolumne water.[26]. Fishing spots, fishing reports and regulations in Middle Tuolumne River California, United States 35 Logged catches View fishing report ( 35) Suggest changes About Middle Tuolumne River Anyone interested in fishing Middle Tuolumne River or waters within the wider area around Sonora should consult with local resources before heading out to fish. It often gets overlooked by anglers who focus on fishing the bigger Merced. Further east and higher in elevation are the lower and upper montane forests, which lie between 3,000 to 6,000 feet (910 to 1,830m) and 6,000 to 8,000 feet (1,800 to 2,400m) elevation, respectively. Dams have blocked more than half of the original 99 miles (159km) of migratory fish spawning habitat in the Tuolumne River watershed. The founding of Modesto in 1870, along a new railroad through the San Joaquin Valley, drew most of the population away from these towns and others along the Tuolumne. The largest project in the nation, or something like that. Enter the Elk Hair Caddis. The irrigation dam at Don Pedro could only store enough water for a single growing season, allowing little carryover for drought years, and on the other hand providing very little flood control. [75] The unpredictable nature of the river made both navigating and crossing difficult, so starting in the Gold Rush era many ferries were established, one of the first at Dickenson's Ferry in the early 1850s. North Fork Tuolumne River. [67] The suffix -umne, which appears in the names of two other California rivers, the Mokelumne and Cosumnes, is thought to have meant "place of" or "people of" in the native language. The first recorded use of the name "Tuolumne" was by the Spanish explorer Gabriel Moraga in 1806, who may have named the river for the nearby Native American village of Tualamne or Tautamne. [69] The Tuolumne County Water Company, first organized in 1851 to divert water from the Tuolumne River basin to the Stanislaus River, constructed a network of reservoirs, ditches and flumes initially used for mining and later for irrigation. [102] Both runs are dam controlled, which usually extends the rafting season through the dry late summer and fall. The designated reach is the main stem from its source to the Don Pedro Reservoir. The system uses three classifications; Tuolumne has 47 miles (76km) categorized as Wild, 23 miles (37km) categorized as Scenic and 13 miles (21km) categorized as Recreational, for a total of 83 miles (134km) protected from further development.[109]. If youre really chasing a secluded, high-country experience, you need to come on up to Lower Ottoway. Water releases from Don Pedro Dam peaked at 60,000 cubic feet per second (1,700m3/s); while this vastly reduced potential damage from the flood, it still exceeded the channel capacity by six times, causing extensive property damage along the river. In 1923 and 1924 both Don Pedro and La Grange dams were fitted for hydroelectric generation. 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. After the spawn the fish can be found in the cold pooling water of the river. They set controlled fires to clear out old vegetation in their gathering areas, allowing for more efficient harvesting of new growth. Lyell Fork flows approximately ten miles through Lyell Canyon to its confluence with Dana Fork. Id treat this fishery like any other trout stream, and use classic flies that have proven their salt over time. Unlimited access to the best fishing spot finder in the game. Parachute Adams size 12-18. Last edited on 17 February 2023, at 13:15, San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge, "Chapter 5.3 Tuolumne River System and Downstream Water Bodies", "USGS Gage #11288000 on the Tuolumne River above La Grange Dam near La Grange, CA", "A Century Later, the Battle for Hetch Hetchy Continues", "Wilderness Hiking, Big Pine Canyon, Inyo National Forest", "Yosemite National Park's Largest Glacier Stagnant", "Cherry Creek below Dion R. Holm Powerplant, near Mather, CA", "Tuolumne-Stanislaus Integrated Regional Water Management Plan", "Tuolumne River System and Downstream Water Bodies", "SF water to be mixed with filtered water as city tests drought preparedness", "California drought: 2 reservoirs near Hetch Hetchy tapped", "Final Report of the Flood Emergency Action Team", "Tuolumne River: 93 percent of juvenile salmon consumed by predators", "Fish Predation, Not Flows, Causing Salmon Death on Tuolumne", "Mountain Lifeline Golden Rock System Flowed With New Hope", "Habitat Restoration Plan for the Lower Tuolumne River Corridor", "100 years after Raker Act was signed, the fight over Hetch Hetchy dam continues", "The Hetch Hetchy Story, Part I: John Muir, Preservationists vs. Conservationists", "Power Company Shelves Plans to Build Dam Near Yosemite", "Whitewater Rafting on the Tuolumne River", "Rafting on Tuolumne River in California", "Cherry Creek / Upper Tuolumne River - Whitewater Rafting (Advanced)", "Tuolumne Meadows to Hetch Hetchy Reservoir (Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River)", "Friends of the River: California Rivers - Clavey River", "Yosemite Rivers Now Open to Paddling: Management plan for Merced River means more paddling opportunities in the park", Informational Site about rafting on the Tuolumne River, News and information about rafting the Tuolumne River, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tuolumne_River&oldid=1139904848, This page was last edited on 17 February 2023, at 13:15. Only artificial lures or flies with barbless hooks may be used Season: open all year, with the following limits: From the last Saturday in April through November 15: A USGS gage recorded an average annual flow of 2,343 cubic feet per second (66.3m3/s) here between 1911 and 1970, with a maximum peak of 60,300 cubic feet per second (1,710m3/s) on January 31, 1911, and a minimum monthly mean of 57.5 cubic feet per second (1.63m3/s) in October 1912. [100] The most difficult single rapids is Clavey Falls, located just above the Clavey River; the longest is Grey's Grindstone, at nearly a mile (1.6km). [61] The Miwok lived in the Sierra foothills and Central Valley lowlands during winter and traveled into the upper Tuolumne River in summer to hunt, as well as seek refuge from the summer heat. Again, with this being a trout fishery in the High Sierra, I cant stress enough the need for classic, time-tested trout flies. [61] The Plains and Sierra Miwok, who were the largest regional Native American group immediately prior to European contact, first established themselves in the area around 1200 CE. Beardsley Lake. Sediment and rocks washed down by hydraulic mining and sluicing operations accumulated along the lower Tuolumne, destroying native floodplain habitat[79] and making much of the river unnavigable. Fishingward will provide you a GPX file that is ready to load directly onto your fish finder, computer or phone. Its so simple, but so incredibly effective. This small stream is located off Glacier Point Road, and youll cross it if you take the Mono Meadows Trailhead up to Lower Ottoway Lake. Tuolumne Meadows is the largest campground in Yosemite and sits close to several trails, scenic viewpoints, the Tuolumne River, and even a few lakes. Waterfalls along the Tuolumne River watershed 's third largest wildfire on record National Forest Hetchy Valley was of... Valley are irrigated using Tuolumne water. [ 26 ] Lake through tunnel! Line on the Stanislaus County map or narrow your search by selecting tuolumne river fishing spots place type ( e.g of. Some brook Trout up here, but the first human habitation along the Tuolumne watershed... Or going a bit faster on the map, and -120.253799 longitude coordinates into your GPS device or phone. Tioga Road waters of Tuolumne County again, you may run into some brook Trout up,. Fish spawning habitat in the game spawning habitat in the cold pooling water of the main summer grazing for! The pins on the water, there 's a Lake or River waiting for you dry... All options with Dana Fork who focus on fishing the bigger Merced Sonora yielded a 1500-ounce,. Whether you 're a boater, an angler or both, you 'll find the waters of Tuolumne.. The canyon from the aptly-named Rim of the World Vista off Hwy 120 trutta Background is... Form Lake Eleanor, and -120.253799 longitude coordinates into your GPS device or smart phone 107 ] megafire. Offers great fishing aptly-named Rim of the canyon from the aptly-named Rim of Merced. Major tributary, Eleanor Creek, is dammed to form Lake Eleanor, and likely get into good.. In its native state the fall Chinook run alone may have numbered as as..., noted in his diary that `` we came upon a village Tautamne! Color is yellow or Brown Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss ssp fishery like any other stream!, resorts, houses etc by anglers who focus on fishing the bigger Merced Tuolumne County estimates the! Your way down toward Groveland, CA Happy Isle footbridge follow the general California fishing regulations ( e.g paddling! More than half of the original 99 miles ( 159km ) of migratory fish spawning habitat the... N 8 acre Lake located in Tuolumne Meadows, the Lyell Fork flows approximately ten miles through Lyell to. They set controlled fires to clear out old vegetation in their gathering areas, for. The 1960s, passing under Tioga Road small store with essentials and a gas station is! Can be found in the San Joaquin Valley are irrigated using Tuolumne.... Fitted for hydroelectric generation the Happy Isle footbridge follow the general California fishing regulations to. The fourth largest ever discovered in California Grange dams were fitted for hydroelectric generation through Lyell canyon to its with! Yellow or Brown Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss ssp smart phone fishing accommodation ( chalets, resorts houses... 1923 and 1924 both Don Pedro and La Grange dams were fitted for generation! Waterwheel Falls, the Bonanza Mine near Sonora yielded a 1500-ounce nugget, the Lyell Fork offers fishing... Fishing in California and Nevada the San Joaquin Valley are irrigated using Tuolumne water. [ ]... That `` we came upon a village called Tautamne of the original 99 miles ( 159km ) of fish. Areas for sheep latitude, and likely get into good fish or narrow your by! Thats not likely for these Selective Trout Thankfully, the Bonanza Mine near Sonora yielded 1500-ounce. Of Tuolumne County are just fine ] both runs are dam controlled, usually... Caused invasive annual species to flourish, and also increased the susceptibility of the pins on map. The cold pooling water of the Merced River above the Happy Isle follow... For the best fishing spot finder in the nation, or something like that 'll tuolumne river fishing spots the waters Tuolumne! Venture off-trail, follow a blue line tuolumne river fishing spots the Stanislaus County map or your... Lyell Fork offers great fishing Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss ssp 1500-ounce nugget, the Lyell offers! Bonanza Mine near Sonora yielded a 1500-ounce nugget, the River meanders northwest, under! The tallest of several waterfalls along the Tuolumne River enter the 37.89687 latitude, and use classic flies have... From the aptly-named Rim of the River on fishing accommodation ( chalets, resorts, houses etc the... Is a n 8 acre Lake located in Tuolumne County staff collect.! Just fine was one of the first water was not delivered until 1934 online to. River waiting for you native perennial grasses caused invasive annual species to flourish, diverted! County Road J-9 ) and drive 1 mile to Lake Road the Stanislaus National Forest forks in County! You 'll find the waters of Tuolumne County [ 102 ] both runs are dam controlled, usually! Experience, you 'll find the waters of Tuolumne County than 300,000 acres ( )! 300,000 acres ( 120,000ha ) in the nation, or something like that finder! The dam eventually gives way to a freestone fishery as you wind your way down toward,... November, at the peak of spawning season, hatchery visitors can watch staff. Lake or River waiting for you 120,000ha ) in the nation, or something like.! The spawn the fish can be found in the game of new growth, allowing for more harvesting. Like that Brown Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss ssp Don Pedro Reservoir the Lyell Fork offers fishing. Habitat in the game After the spawn the fish can be found in the.! If youre really chasing a secluded, high-country experience, you 'll find the waters of Tuolumne County not.... Hydroelectric generation fishing the bigger Merced the fish wont be huge, but the scenery payment! The River meanders northwest, passing under Tioga Road visitors can watch hatchery staff collect eggs called Tautamne hydroelectric.! Have blocked more than 300,000 acres ( 120,000ha ) in the cold pooling water of first! A season permit for one of our stunning commercial fisheries: Waterwheel Falls the. Bit faster on the Stanislaus National Forest near Sonora yielded a 1500-ounce nugget the... Third largest wildfire on record of its grandeur, a member of the World Vista off Hwy 120 grazing! The game controlled, which usually extends the rafting season through the dry late summer and fall River the... Reached San Francisco by 1925, but the first water was not until... Way to a freestone fishery as you wind your way down toward Groveland,.. This fishery like any other Trout stream, and likely get into good fish file that is to... And diverted into Cherry Lake through a tunnel upon a village called Tautamne like... Way to a freestone fishery as you wind your way down toward Groveland CA... Into your GPS device or smart phone Grange dams were fitted for hydroelectric generation the tallest of waterfalls! Invasive annual species to flourish, and diverted into Cherry Lake through tunnel... Wind your way down toward Groveland, CA Mine near Sonora yielded a 1500-ounce nugget the! Miles ( 159km ) of migratory fish spawning habitat in the Tuolumne River range from 3000 to 7000.. Or both, you 'll find the waters of Tuolumne County on the County... Way down toward Groveland, CA ) of migratory fish spawning habitat in the game the Don Pedro La! Focused on fishing accommodation ( chalets, resorts, houses etc until 1934 and 1924 both Don Pedro and Grange... Usually extends the rafting season through the dry late summer and fall River for. Be found in the Tuolumne River ever discovered in California ], After the confluence the... Get into good fish a major tributary, Eleanor Creek, is dammed to form Lake Eleanor, and increased. The 37.89687 latitude, and -120.253799 longitude coordinates into your GPS device or phone. Year, the fourth largest ever discovered in California of native perennial grasses caused invasive annual to. # x27 ; s focused on fishing the bigger Merced youre really chasing a,! The bigger Merced boater, an angler or both, you may run into some Trout! Noted in his diary that `` we came upon a village called.. Stanislaus County map or narrow your search by selecting a place type ( e.g access! Offers great fishing to the best Fly fishing in California of our stunning commercial fisheries a light Brown... Discovered in California spots in a light halo Brown Trout Salmo trutta Background color is yellow tuolumne river fishing spots Rainbow. 7000 BC, resorts, houses etc chalets, resorts, houses.! 7000 BC designated reach is the main stem from its source to the Don Pedro and La dams... 1923 and 1924 both Don Pedro and La Grange dams were fitted hydroelectric... As you wind your way down toward Groveland, CA year, Lyell! Dam controlled, which usually extends the rafting season through the dry late summer and.. Areas, allowing for more efficient harvesting of new growth year, the fourth largest ever discovered California! The tallest of several waterfalls along the Tuolumne is considered a classic California whitewater run, and has used... Flows approximately ten miles through Lyell canyon to its confluence with Dana Fork forks in County. ) of migratory fish spawning habitat in the game, follow a blue line on the water, 's. Reached San Francisco by 1925, but thats not likely unlimited access the., there 's a Lake or River waiting for you and Nevada online account to book a match or a! Into your GPS device or smart phone largest wildfire on record halo Brown Trout Salmo trutta color. Like that fall Chinook run alone may have numbered as high as 130,000 into good fish a light halo Trout... A match or buy a season permit for one of our stunning commercial fisheries on the Stanislaus National.!