Lake McClure
Mariposa County Salmon, Trout, Bass, Catfish, Crappie
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Lake McClure Bite Meter

1 month ago
Spotted Bass
Hot
Rainbow Trout
Good
King Salmon
Fair

Lake McClure Fishing Overview

Water Description

Lake McClure is renowned for its thriving population of spotted bass, with some reaching close to 9 pounds. Spots (and largemouth) are especially prevalent in the two major coves on the southeastern end of the lake, where Cotton Creek and Temperance Creek flow in. These areas provide more stable water levels even when other parts of the lake experience drawdowns. In addition to bass, Lake McClure features a growing Kokanee salmon population (with yearly fingerling stockings), and a very good rainbow trout fishery, supported by CDFW stockings in...

Lake McClure is renowned for its thriving population of spotted bass, with some reaching close to 9 pounds. Spots (and largemouth) are especially prevalent in the two major coves on the southeastern end of the lake, where Cotton Creek and Temperance Creek flow in. These areas provide more stable water levels even when other parts of the lake experience drawdowns.

In addition to bass, Lake McClure features a growing Kokanee salmon population (with yearly fingerling stockings), and a very good rainbow trout fishery, supported by CDFW stockings in the cooler months. Much of the best trout action occurs in the upper Merced River arm, providing a mix of wild trout and recently stocked rainbows. Trollers also get plenty of action pulling hoochies and spoons.

McClure also supports crappie, bluegill, and catfish. Boat rentals, campgrounds, and other amenities are available at key access points like McClure Point and Barrett Cove.

Species:
Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Channel Catfish, Black Crappie, White Crappie
Stocked Date:
Trout stocked 2 months ago - View Schedule
Trophy Fish:
  • Spotted Bass: 9 lb 5 oz - 1993
  • Largemouth Bass: 10 lb - 2009
Boating / Access:
Open to all boating
Geography:
Max Depth: 200 ft
Surface Area: 7,001.6 acres
Surface Elevation: 867 ft
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Latest Fishing Reports

Hot Spotted Bass bite
Trout, Bass, Salmon
53°F Clear

Lake McClure has been one of the hottest bass spots in the area, turning out both numbers and quality as spotted bass move up from winter depths. Most fish are stacked up around 20 feet, where small jigs, shakey heads, wacky-rigged Senkos, and drop-shot worms are working well. They’re relating to points and rocky banks, though some have been caught...

Lake McClure has been one of the hottest bass spots in the area, turning out both numbers and quality as spotted bass move up from winter depths. Most fish are stacked up around 20 feet, where small jigs, shakey heads, wacky-rigged Senkos, and drop-shot worms are working well. They’re relating to points and rocky banks, though some have been caught very shallow on underspins. Expect bass to push even shallower as the weather warms and water temps rise.

A 1,000-pound trout plant a couple of weeks ago kicked off a solid bite for shoreline bait casters. Meanwhile, trollers running lead core line 40 to 50 feet deep have been picking off some nice holdover trout and kings.

6 anglers found this report useful
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Good Spotted Bass bite
Rainbow Trout, Spotted Bass
57°F Clear

Not a lot of big fish coming out of McClure at the moment, but action has been consistent. Spotted bass are still chasing schools of shad, and with shad moving deeper, so are the spots. Small baitfish imitation jerkbaits and Keitechs are getting hit in 15-40 feet of water, but the best bite has been primarily on drop-shotting worms around steep...

Not a lot of big fish coming out of McClure at the moment, but action has been consistent. Spotted bass are still chasing schools of shad, and with shad moving deeper, so are the spots. Small baitfish imitation jerkbaits and Keitechs are getting hit in 15-40 feet of water, but the best bite has been primarily on drop-shotting worms around steep rocky banks, points, or any other structure variations. Small soft-plastic crawfish imitations and jigs are also getting hit by bigger fish.

Rainbows were stocked in late November, but reports on where and what they are biting are limited.

7 anglers found this report useful
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Latest Stockings

1000 pounds
Trout Local
Trout CDFW
Fingerlings
Kokanee Salmon CDFW

Other Nearby Reports

The warming weather is starting to fire up the kokanee and rainbow trout as they chase big shad schools around the lake. Trollers are working 40–60 feet of water and hitting...

Things are picking up at Don Pedro with both trout and kings on the chew reports Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing. Kings are coming on corn-tipped lures run behind...

Lake McClure Weather

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Guides & Tackle Shops

Lake McClure Map

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