Lake McClure Fishing: Catch Lots of Bass, Trout & More

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Lake McClure offers fantastic scenery, pristine waters and incredible fishing.

Are you searching for a great trout or bass fishing lake? You’ve just found one with Lake McClure. 

Located in the Sierra Nevada foothills and fed by the beautiful Merced River, Lake McClure is a big 7,000-acre reservoir with a wide variety of fish.

Rainbow, brown and brook trout all call it home, as do largemouth and spotted bass. There is a healthy kokanee salmon population, along with some top-notch crappie fishing.

When you decide it’s time for a trip into Yosemite National Park, schedule yourself some time to fish this incredible lake along the way.

Who knows, you might come across a wild mule or some bald eagles to keep you company while you catch some massive trout at this epic lake.

Lake McClure Bass Fishing

Lake McClure is probably best known for its bass fishing.

Largemouth and spotted bass can be found throughout the lake, with the rocky points and river and creek arms being particularly good.

Largemouth Bass 

Bucket mouths are everywhere in Lake McClure.

You may have to work to get to the bigger fish, but if you’re out for sheer numbers, this lake is stacked with moderate-sized largemouths.

One reason McClure supports so many bass is it’s loaded with underwater structures, providing the perfect place for baitfish to hang out.

More baitfish means more bass, so watch the electronics to find good cover and try out your best jigging techniques to see what you can find.

Bass at Lake McClure can be readily caught for most of the year. They definitely slow down when the water gets cold but are still going to take an occasional plastic or Senko.

Springtime provides some of the best bass fishing of the year.

Once the water gets up into the high 50s into the 60s, they prepare to spawn. You’re bound to catch some bigger fish during this time; just remember to leave the bigger ones to catch another day.

Throughout the summer and fall, bass are holding anywhere from 10 to 30 feet deep. Once you find the proper depth, you are in for some fantastic fishing.

Target the rocky points around the lake and the Merced River arm for your best chances.

There are bass to be caught from shore as well. Try Cotton Creek, Rancho del Oro Gulch and Temperance Creek. These areas usually produce good numbers.

Find Lake McClure and more than a dozen other hot spots in our run-down of the Best Largemouth Bass Fishing Lakes in Northern California

Spotted Bass

Lake McClure has provided several anglers the opportunity to land spots in the 9-pound-plus category. They grow big here, and there are large numbers of them moving throughout the lake.

The spots follow the same general patterns here as the largies do, so keep that in mind while targeting them.

If you think that crankbait is too big for a spot, you should try it. They have a big appetite and have no problem smashing a big lure or plastic.

Spotted bass in Lake McClure tend to hold around the lower depths of the active bass. If you come across suspended bass, the ones on the bottom of the group will most likely be the spots. If not, it’s no big loss, as you’re still catching bass.

Lake McClure is among the Best Spotted Bass Lakes in California.

How to Catch Bass

Want to learn more about how to land more bucket mouths and spots? Read our Bass Fishing: Simple How-To Techniques and Tips.

Trout Fishing at Lake McClure

There are all sorts of fish in Lake McClure.

Rainbows, brown trout and brookies (oh my!) can be caught here with varying levels of success.

If trout fishing is your preference, it’s time to try out Lake McClure. You won’t be disappointed.

Rainbow Trout

Thousands of pounds of rainbows and brookies are planted every year at Lake McClure.

The fishing is best for them in the early season until about mid-June. Depending on your approach, it can remain decent to great all year. 

Trolling in the deeper main channel of the lake can produce some trophy-sized trout.

Some of the largest rainbow trout around are stocked here over 15 pounds, with several more being over 10 pounds. The habitat in this lake can provide enough forage for big fish, and Lake McClure has them.

If you’re set on trolling, start out at Horseshoe Bend and head down to Barrett Cove.

You may also want to run down by the dam, which many anglers say is the best area to troll for McClure trout.

Target them with standard trolling gear like Needlefish, Kastmasters, Rapalas and PowerBait. Minnow imitations work great as well. 

Shore fishing can be good around the McClure Point area and around all the smaller coves around there.

Use artificial dough baits and nightcrawlers for your best chances. Salmon eggs work well too.

Neighboring Lake McSwain also is well-stocked with trout and hosts an annual trout fishing derby.

Find the Best Rainbow Trout Lakes in California.

Brown and Brook Trout

While not as prevalent as the rainbows, it’s still possible to bring in a big brown trout at Lake McClure.

Brookies are around as well—target areas where the shoreline drops off quickly, and you’ll find them. 

Browns have been planted in the lake more occasionally, but brookies are planted with some regularity, though not necessarily in the same high numbers as rainbows.

Try standard trout lures and spinners around the Barret Cove area, and you’re sure to catch a few.

Trout fishing here is viable for most of the year, but in the hottest months, they tend to go deep and you’ll need to follow them.

How to Catch Trout

Learn the basics and a few of the secrets in our complete guide to Trout Fishing: How-To Techniques and Tips.

Kokanee Salmon

Kokanee, a landlocked sockeye salmon, have been planted in the lake at times in recent times.

Trolling for kokes can be a lot of fun if you can find them, which isn’t always easy here.

Most people who target kokes on Lake McClure end up catching far more rainbows than kokanee. However, spend the time to get to know the lake, and you’ll start recognizing their patterns.

Stick to the main lake and search deep around the dam and the A-frame areas. They are typically at least 50 feet down in warmer months, so downriggers are necessary.

Target them with small micro hoochies, small Ex-Cel spoons and Sock-Eye Slammers behind dodgers. 

Kokanee often respond to a slower troll than trout. Be sure to adjust your trolling speed until you start getting bites. Stick to that speed and work to stay on top of the school.

More: Kokanee Fishing: Simple Tips and Techniques and Best Kokanee Fishing Lakes in California.

Crappie Fishing 

Crappie are always fun on light tackle, and Lake McClure has a solid population of them to catch.

Search out brush and submerged trees around the lake, with your primary focus being on the smaller coves and channels throughout.

Crappie jigs in chartreuse do very well here, as do mealworms and tubes. A slow retrieve with a good twitch is a great technique to use at Lake McClure.

Once you find the school, a 50-fish day is possible.

More: Crappie Fishing: Simple How-To Techniques and Tips and Best Crappie Fishing Lakes in California.

Catfish Fishing

While not as well known here, there also are channel catfish in Lake McClure, including some whisker fish to double-digit sizes.

Try fishing with cut baits such as mackerel, shrimp or even fresh left-overs from your filleted crappie, or with chicken livers or prepared catfish baits. A nightcrawler also will catch cats but also attract the attention of many of McClure’s other game fish.

Catfish bite most actively starting in the evenings and through the night and early morning, but you have the potential to land one any time of day.

Learn more in Catfish Fishing: Simple Techniques and Tips and Best Catfish Fishing Lakes and Rivers in California.

Planning Your Trip

Lake McClure is located in Mariposa County, a little over an hour’s drive east of Modesto, and usually under two hours from Fresno or Stockton.

It’s definitely worth the trip and is a great place to bring the family or your buddies.

Fishing here can be epic at times, and when it’s not, take the time to water ski, parasail or paddleboard around the lake.

Do some exploring, then maybe go out and catch a bucket full of crappie for an evening fish fry.

Yosemite is about an hour east of the lake, so if you’re staying for an extended period, take a trip into the park.

Lake McClure also is near several other great fishing spots besides the Merced River and Lake McSwain, among them massive Don Pedro Reservoir.

Boat and Shore Access

Several boat launches are around the lake. There are some ramps located within primitive campgrounds that are only usable if the water is high enough, and there are others that cater to low water conditions.

Be aware of underwater hazards when boating here. Fluctuating water levels can expose everything from an old rail bridge to the submerged ghost town of Bagby. 

Shore access is readily available around the Lake McClure Point area, along with several other prime spots spread throughout the lake. If you’re shore fishing and want bass, check out the Merced River Arm and areas around Barrett Cove. 

Where to Stay

There are multiple campgrounds around the lake and neighboring Lake McSwain that offer camping and RV spots.

McClure Point has a swim area and access to the shore near the dam, while Barrett Cove has a camp store and marina cafe. It also offers cabin rentals. There’s also access to a mountain bike park at Barrett Cove.

Vacation rentals and hotels are also available in the area, and you can pick up the items you may have forgotten to pack at the store in Coulterville or at one of the marina shops at the lake. 

There are plenty of dining options in the area to choose from in the area, along with an assortment of other activities for those who want to sightsee instead of fish.

Lake McClure and Lake McSwain are part of the Merced Irrigation District, which manages the recreation facilities. See its website for more information.

Lake McClure should be on your radar, especially if you target bass or trout, and some years it has had some of the better kokanee salmon or crappie fishing around. Give it a try.