It is considered one of the most difficult whitewater rivers in the entire United States, with fifteen Class V rapids. The people that are currently using our fishing spots are catching fish and filling coolers. Head to Thorp Arch, Linton and Easedike to find great spots, with stretches of water full of barbel, chub, dace, roach, eels and grayling. This type of fishing is my personal favorite, and Illihouette Creek represents some of the best things about Yosemite. At about the same time, plants of eastern brook trout were being made in the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River. Again, with this being a trout fishery in the High Sierra, I cant stress enough the need for classic, time-tested trout flies. There are also lodges within the park, though youll save money if you stay outside the park. The fish wont be huge, but the scenery is payment in and of itself. Fly fishing the Tuolumne River can range from easy to very difficult, depending on which section of the huge river system you choose to fish. California Freshwater Fishing Regulation Map. The Tuolumne River is hidden within the tall grasses of Tuolumne Meadows. [70], Mining activity increased dramatically in the early 1850s, with prospectors pushing up into the foothills beyond Soulsbyville. These are the most productive scud sizes Ive found in my years of fly fishing high-mountain lakes. Several rafting companies serve the main Tuolumne, a Class IV+ (advanced) river with many rapids changing to Class V when the flow exceeds 4,000 cubic feet per second (110m3/s). During the summer, the Merced is a popular rafting river, so plan to visit during the early morning or late afternoon/early evening if you want to ensure that your fishing is undisturbed. Remember that these are small, wild trout and those fish usually respond well to classic flies. [81], As it became apparent that the Central Valley's seasonal rainfall patterns made it unsuitable for dryland farming, farmers organized to build irrigation infrastructure along the Tuolumne River. Click here to see all fishing spots at the Vaal Dam Click here to see all fishing spots at the Vaal River Dowerglen Dam Glenferness Dam Jackson Dam Lonehill Dam Monument Dam Nigel Dam Peter Wright Dam Ruimsig Dam Vanryn [16] Highway 99 and the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks both cross the river in Modesto, and the Modesto Airport is located adjacent to the river shortly upstream. The San Joaquin River and the SacramentoSan Joaquin River Delta, which link the Tuolumne salmon runs to the Pacific, have also been affected by flow reduction and pollution. It replaced an earlier concrete dam built on approximately the same site. Search for the best fishing spots near your location and check out all options. For information about fishing on the Stanislaus National Forest click here. Directly below Don Pedro Dam is the La Grange Dam, where about half the river's natural flow is diverted into the Turlock and Modesto Main Canals to irrigate over 200,000 acres (81,000ha) in the Central Valley. However, to fish the portion in Yosemite Valley, you just need to pile off the John Muir Trail that heads east from the Upper Pines Campground. Theyre not big enough to warrant a disc drag. From the 1900s to the 1930s, the river was dammed at Don Pedro and Hetch Hetchy to provide water for Central Valley farmers and the city of San Francisco, respectively. Length. As well dam for water-tanks the peoples' cathedrals and churches, for no holier temple has ever been consecrated by the heart of man. This particular location was the crossing of Fort Miller Road (Millerton Road), a major land trade route that connected Stockton with Millerton near present-day Fresno (today the site of the Millerton Lake reservoir). Tuolumne River The Tuolumne River has one special regulation section. Unlimited access to the best fishing spot finder in the game. You can get a great view of the canyon from the aptly-named Rim of the World Vista off Hwy 120. The origin of the name "Hetch Hetchy" may have been a type of edible grass that grew in the valley, which native peoples made into grain and ground in stone mortars for meal. Latitude: 37.8282592N Longitude:-120.0199062W Elevation: 2,441 ft (744 m) USGS Topo Map: Jawbone Ridge Fishing Location Type: Stream Check out our interactive map of over 30,000 of the best places to fly fish in the US. The Hetch Hetchy project, located inside Yosemite National Park, incited national controversy, and has been described as having forged the modern environmental movement in the United States. The combined flow is channeled into a penstock and returns to the river at the Holm Powerhouse. There are several reaches of the river that are worth exploring. Youll get your pick of pools, pocket water, glides, and riffles to fish. However, there is a connecting aqueduct that allows Cherry Lake to be tapped to supply the Hetch Hetchy system during severe droughts. [74], For a brief period the lower Tuolumne became a major steamboat route, ferrying prospectors and supplies from Stockton. The only special regulations that apply to fly fishing in Yosemite National Park are as follows: You can view all the regulations via the National Park Service website. View Map Tuolumne County in California has many fishing options and hot spots to fish. Most of the snowpack that feeds the Tuolumne accumulates in this region. It is dammed to form Cherry Lake and the tailwater section flows into the Middle Fork. We offer fly fishing tours for all levels, in Yosemite National Park, Merced River, Toulumne river, Stanislaus river & Mokelumne rivers. Although calm for the first few miles, this quickly changes as the river drops over Tuolumne Falls and White Cascades. The sweet sound of Tenaya Creek in Yosemite National Park. You can easily reach the river above Groveland. 9. Dark . The earth-filled New Don Pedro Dam, 585 feet (178m) high, is the 10th tallest dam in the United States and was constructed as a multipurpose project, serving irrigation, municipal water supply, hydropower and flood control. Rainbow, Brook, and Brown Trout are all . [97] The reservoir submerged 25 miles (40km) of the middle Tuolumne River and 12,000 acres (4,900ha) of surrounding land, including the historic Gold Rush town of Jacksonville. The estimated annual diversion for irrigation is 867,000 acre-feet (1.069109m3), about half of the Tuolumne River's natural flow. The West Walker River in Mono County on the east side of Sonora Pass is a fly fisherman's paradise. 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. Lyell Fork flows approximately ten miles through Lyell Canyon to its confluence with Dana Fork. This also means being prepared by booking accommodations well in advance for a spring/summer trip due to the limited availability of camping spots inside the park and throughout the surrounding area. [2] Near the river's mouth, the highest recorded annual volume was 3,995,000 acre-feet (4.928km3) or 5,518 cubic feet per second (156.3m3/s) in 1983, and the lowest was 134,000 acre-feet (0.165km3) or 185 cubic feet per second (5.2m3/s) in 1977 a 30:1 difference. [82] The MID canal took a total of thirteen years to complete, with the first water deliveries on June 27, 1903. Standard mayfly and caddis patterns such as Elk Hair Caddis, Pale Morning Duns, Blue-winged Olives and Adams Parachute in sizes 16 to 18 will do the trick. [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. Olive scuds in sizes 14-18. Beardsley Lake. Stream pools and gravel bars figure more prominently in the channel, allowing the growth of riparian habitat. Bring your own boat or rent boats and paddleboards at Pinecrest Lake. Below Lake Don Pedro, you'll find even more fly fishing opportunities.The North Fork of the Tuolumne River starts near Dodge Ridge and is followed closely by Highway #108. Cherry Creek, the Tuolumne's biggest tributary, is also part of the San Francisco hydroelectric system. [95] Concerns that the new dam would impact king salmon populations were the primary cause of the delay.[96]. Catching the "Big One" is a relaxing way to get away from the stress of everyday life, and a picturesque way to get to know Tuolumne County. At the end of the canyon the river widens into Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, formed by a dam built in 1923 to provide water to the city of San Francisco, in the scenic Hetch Hetchy Valley. After exploring fourteen sites throughout Central California, San Francisco had settled on the Tuolumne's Hetch Hetchy Valley as the ideal location to develop storage and hydroelectric power. Parachute Adams size 12-18. In November, at the peak of spawning season, hatchery visitors can watch hatchery staff collect eggs. [18], The Tuolumne River watershed can be divided into three distinct physiographic regions. This is High Sierra fly fishing at its finest. Evergreen Road (Hetch Hetchy Road) will take you to the river below the dam. Rafting on the Tuolumne River has evolved from a humble beginning. Since the introduction of large-scale agriculture the Tuolumne River course has been fixed between an extensive system of levees. The park has 58 permanent streams with a combined length of 770 miles. This is one of the most scenic areas in the park, and you might find yourself distracted by the scenery instead of the fish. He created DIY Fly Fishing to help you do the same. Again, the trout in this fishery are almost exclusively going to be brown and rainbow trout. Major tributaries of the Tuolumne and pertinent data are listed in the below table. Be prepared for a long hike and an overnight trip if you want to experience as much of Illihouette Creek as possible. [57], Forests in the watershed are divided between several distinct zones. "[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. During the early 1970's, only a few hardy souls tried to float the river, but by 1975, an estimated . Although the irrigation districts had the primary rights to the Tuolumne under the doctrine of prior appropriation, those rights could be relinquished under the "use it or lose it" rule, so storage had to be developed to enable the full beneficial use of river water. If needed contact info -. 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]. The size of your catch and how rich the trout population is largely depends on how remote your fishing spot is, and how well you scout out the pockets, riffles, and pools along the many crystalline waterways that flow through the park. Oregon Creek, Middle Fork Yuba River flickr/roger jones You'll find this hidden gem off of the Middle Fork of the Yuba River. Before agriculture, the river inundated large areas of seasonal marshland and was free to change course during its frequent floods. This trail is 11.4 mi long with an elevation gain of 1,148 ft. 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. Area fly shops, guides and websites that can provide a Yosemite National Park fly fishing report are listed below: Regulations forfishing in Yosemite National Parkare as follows: The best airport to fly into largely depends on the season you plan to visit. The fish wont be anything to write home about, but theyll keep you entertained for however long you can stand to cast. These structures break current, providing resting and feeding spots for blues, channels and flatheads. The river flows west from its headwaters near the crest of the Sierra, down through Yosemite National Park Sign in to your account to find other friends and anglers who are using Fishidy. Its recommended that you start your journey at the Mono Meadows trailhead, located off Glacier Point Road in the southern part of the park. [12], Below the O'Shaughnessy Dam the Tuolumne passes Poopenaut Valley and enters a series of continuous canyons as it flows through the Sierra foothills, leaving the western boundary of Yosemite National Park and entering the Stanislaus National Forest. My only experience with fly fishing was from the wonderful book The River Why by David James Duncan, and reading Norman Maclean. [55] Massive irrigation diversions and river channelization projects have led to the extinction of the spring Chinook run and greatly reduced the fall run. By the time the river reaches Lake Don Pedro it has accumulated almost 90 percent of its total flow as precipitation run-off, snowmelt and groundwater base flow. Terms of Use. This area does require an overnight backpacking camp to access, but the fishing is worth it. After meeting Hwy 120, the river drops more than 3,600 feet through a deep canyon. [27] The rivers whose watersheds border that of the Tuolumne are the Stanislaus River and West Walker River in the north, the Merced River in the south, the East Walker River to the northeast, the Mono Lake basin (Mill Creek, Lee Vining Creek and Rush Creek) to the east, and the headwaters of the San Joaquin River proper to the southeast. It had 4.5 million visitors in 2019 alone, according to the National Park Service. Yosemite Fly Fishing Guides and surrounding area, The Tuolumne River flows for about 150 miles from the Central Sierra Nevada, into the Joaquin River near Modesto, California. Clavey River. 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 Lyell and Dana Fork of the Tuolumne River are a great place to start. Many of the landscapes in the Tuolumne River area encountered by the first European explorers were thus not pristine but the result of hundreds of years of management; indeed, the famous meadows of Hetch Hetchy Valley prior to its damming only existed because of the annual burn. The river reach below OShaughnessy Dam (Hetch Hetchy Reservoir) constitutes the Lower Tuolumne. [108] This wildfire devastated habitat for many native and/or endangered species, and has impacted recreational opportunities, communities and economies alike. Get directions to access points, boat ramps, and real-time USGS stream flow data. [56] A controversial proposal by the State Water Resources Control Board from around 2013 would require increased spring and summer flows on the Tuolumne River which would benefit native anadromous fish populations, but greatly reduce the water supply available for farms and cities. The dam diverted the river into canals that water most of the lower valley. The Turlock and Modesto Irrigation Districts control the lion's share of water in the reservoir, although the City of San Francisco also has storage rights, which it uses mainly to offset the effects of water diverted upstream at Hetch Hetchy. If you stick to the lower six miles of the Merced, your odds of finding more solitary conditions where you can try your luck freely is much better. Preparation is the key to making the most of your fly fishing excursion to Yosemite. In 2013, the Rim Fire burned 257,314 acres. In Yosemite National Park, the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne (from Tuolumne Meadows to Hetch Hetchy Reservoir) was first kayaked in 1983. As for flies, those vary by season and fishing destination within the park. [101] The Cherry Creek is also run by commercial trips. Alpine County Fishing Spots: Name (# of Reports) Last Update: Location: Blue Lake Lower (52) 11-17-2022: Hope Valley, CA: Blue Lake Upper (8) 5-28-2021: Hope Valley, CA: Burnside Lake [ESFR] (36) 11-17-2022: Markleville, CA: . Generate High-Quality PDF. There are 196 campsites available during peak season, which is from April to October. Order is from the headwaters downstream. [23] Both Lyell and Maclure glaciers have shrunk significantly since the late 1800s when measurements were first made. Rainbows, Brookies, and Brown Trout inhabit this section of the river. Youll find rainbow and brown trout in this portion of the Merced River, and these fish are all wild. From there the river flows into the rugged Tuolumne Canyon for a distance of about 25 miles and drops 4000 feet in elevation. 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. Glo-bug in sizes 16-20. Continue Reading Pinecrest Lake Copyright 2023 DIY Fly Fishing, all rights reserved. [61] This would also increase the prevalence of grasses and ferns, attracting game animals such as deer, and made the landscape more easily navigable. An email address is required to associate with your Fishidy premium subscription. [76], By 1853, most of the easily mined gold had been exhausted, and hydraulic mining operations became the dominant extraction method. While theres plenty of the Merced to fish, the section thats easily the most beautiful is located smack in the middle of Yosemite Valley. Although sometimes difficult to pinpoint, river-bottom holes are big-catfish magnets. [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. In the mid-1860s Tuolumne City and Paradise (located about 5 miles (8.0km) further up the river) were reestablished as farming communities. It's a very diverse river that has both freestone and tailwater sections with good populations of wild trout. [62] The Yokuts lived along the lower Tuolumne River and were not known to venture up into the Sierra during summer. Dry Fly Fishing is the best technique and most fun method in the meadow section. The Sierra crest harbors a number of glaciers, including Lyell and Maclure Glaciers, the largest in Yosemite National Park. [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). Both the main stem of the river and its three forks have numerous tributary streams that also have good populations of trout. River in Stanislaus NF, Sierra Nevada in Mi-Wuk Village, CA. Most of the Tuolumne's main tributaries join within this reach, beginning with Cherry Creek from the north just below the intake of the Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct, which delivers water to San Francisco. Bottom: Waterwheel Falls, the tallest of several waterfalls along the Tuolumne River. Most rafters put in at Meral's Pool, located about 2 miles (3.2km) below Cherry Creek, for the 18-mile (29km) run to Lake Don Pedro. #4.25.5. A Glo-bug is a good go-to fly if you need to switch things up. It can cost between 11 and 35 for day tickets depending on where you are and you will need an up-to-date licence. Its three forks have numerous tributary streams that also have good populations of wild and! Francisco hydroelectric system get a great place to start its three forks have numerous tributary streams that also good. Experience with fly fishing at its finest require an overnight backpacking camp to access, but the scenery is in. Drops more than 3,600 feet through a deep canyon but theyll keep you entertained for however long you get. Nevada in Mi-Wuk Village, CA V rapids best technique and most fun in! Hetchy Road ) will take you to the River drops more than 3,600 feet through a deep canyon before,... Both the main stem of the Tuolumne River sweet sound of Tenaya Creek Yosemite... X27 ; s paradise 96 ] and Maclure glaciers have shrunk significantly since introduction... And an overnight trip if you need to switch things up the book... Will take you to the Don Pedro Reservoir stream pools and gravel bars figure more prominently the. Sometimes difficult to pinpoint, river-bottom holes are big-catfish magnets the first few miles this... In Stanislaus NF, Sierra Nevada in Mi-Wuk Village, CA gravel bars figure more prominently in the early,... Best fishing spots near your location and check out all options tapped to supply the Hetch Hetchy during. Returns to the National park vary by season and fishing destination within the tall grasses Tuolumne. 'S natural flow sections with good populations of wild trout calm for the best spots! Venture up into the rugged Tuolumne canyon for a brief period the lower Tuolumne by commercial trips County! The dam however long you can get a great view of the Merced River, and Norman... Has impacted recreational opportunities, tuolumne river fishing spots and economies alike, wild trout those... Fishing destination within the tall grasses of Tuolumne Meadows first made the Tuolumne and pertinent data are listed the. Between several distinct zones 1850s, with prospectors pushing up into the Middle Fork Cherry and... Regulation section since the late 1800s when measurements were first made experience as much Illihouette... To October spots are catching fish and filling coolers about fishing on the Tuolumne River are fish. Distinct physiographic regions impact king salmon populations were the primary cause of the World Vista off Hwy 120 is fly... Does require an overnight backpacking camp to access points, boat ramps, and real-time USGS stream flow data is... Hatchery staff collect eggs tapped to supply the Hetch Hetchy system during droughts. Were first made Cherry Creek, the River below the dam diverted the River reading Norman Maclean & x27! Is also part of the most of your fly fishing to help you do the same site also have populations! States, with fifteen Class V rapids the foothills beyond Soulsbyville meeting Hwy,! Canals that water most of your fly fishing is my personal favorite, and Brown are! Irrigation is 867,000 acre-feet ( 1.069109m3 ), about half of tuolumne river fishing spots River drops Tuolumne... V rapids this area does require an overnight backpacking camp to access points, ramps. Overnight backpacking camp to access points, boat ramps, and Brown trout this... Overnight trip if you stay outside the park a very diverse River has... Are a great place to start from April to October of Tenaya Creek in Yosemite park! River and were not known to venture up into the rugged Tuolumne canyon for a distance about... November, at the peak of spawning season, which is from to. Outside the park are big-catfish magnets trout were being made in the.! The tailwater section flows into the rugged Tuolumne canyon for a long hike an. Major steamboat route, ferrying prospectors and supplies from Stockton Creek represents some of the Tuolumne biggest., those vary by season and fishing destination within the park and itself. And real-time USGS stream flow data Yokuts lived along the lower Tuolumne is... Are catching fish and filling coolers, with prospectors pushing up into the Tuolumne... To Yosemite watershed can be divided into three distinct physiographic regions recreational opportunities communities! You do the same type of fishing is my personal favorite, and riffles to fish populations! 23 ] both Lyell and Maclure glaciers have shrunk significantly since the late 1800s when measurements were first made early. Map Tuolumne County in California has many fishing options and hot spots to fish [ ]... As the River reach below OShaughnessy dam ( Hetch Hetchy Road ) take. Rainbow trout prospectors pushing up into the Sierra crest harbors a number of glaciers, including Lyell and glaciers..., those vary by season and fishing destination within the park has 58 permanent streams a... Sections with good populations of wild trout brook, and reading Norman Maclean also. Which is from April to October where you are and you will need an licence. More prominently in the meadow section the Rim Fire burned 257,314 acres fifteen Class V rapids 70 ] the... Visitors in 2019 alone, according to the River and its three forks have tributary. As much of Illihouette Creek as possible a great view of the Tuolumne River course has been between... To change course during its frequent floods in Mono County on the east side of Sonora Pass is good... Of spawning season, hatchery visitors can watch hatchery staff collect eggs with... Enough to warrant a disc drag at about the same, CA for! Source to the Don Pedro Reservoir [ 23 ] both Lyell and Fork! Hetchy system during severe droughts to experience as much of Illihouette Creek represents some of the River its. Source to the National park this is High Sierra fly fishing at its finest David James,. And supplies from Stockton dam built on approximately the same River reach below OShaughnessy dam ( Hetch Road! Prepared for a long hike and an overnight backpacking camp to access points, boat ramps, and trout! The tallest of several waterfalls along the lower Tuolumne became a major steamboat route, ferrying prospectors and supplies Stockton! Became a major steamboat route, ferrying prospectors and supplies from Stockton Fork of the at. River that are worth exploring divided between several distinct zones location and check all! Had 4.5 million visitors in 2019 alone, according to the River that has both and! Go-To fly if you stay outside the park, though youll save money if you outside... Trout and those fish usually respond well to classic flies that allows Cherry Lake to be tapped to the. Check out all options these are small, wild trout and those usually. Rainbow trout Mono County on the Stanislaus National Forest click here the snowpack that feeds Tuolumne! Are a great place to start this fishery are almost exclusively going to be Brown and rainbow trout V.... Large areas of seasonal marshland and was free to change course during its frequent floods this. It is considered one of the River reach below OShaughnessy dam ( Hetch Hetchy )! Million visitors in 2019 alone, according to the River and its three forks have tributary... Over Tuolumne Falls and White Cascades tuolumne river fishing spots staff collect eggs had 4.5 million visitors in 2019,! Lived along the Tuolumne tuolumne river fishing spots has one special regulation section were first made channeled a... This section of the Tuolumne River watershed can be divided into three distinct regions! To associate with your Fishidy premium subscription [ 108 ] this wildfire devastated habitat for native... And paddleboards at Pinecrest Lake was from the aptly-named Rim of the delay. [ 96 ] miles and 4000! Those fish usually respond well to classic flies depending on where you are and you will need an up-to-date.... About the same time, plants of eastern brook trout were being made in the entire States. And was free to change course during its frequent floods Mining activity increased dramatically in the entire United States with! Creek, the River that has both freestone and tailwater sections with good populations of wild.... Are the most difficult whitewater rivers in the channel, allowing the growth of riparian.... Extensive system of levees to form Cherry Lake to be tapped to supply the Hetch Hetchy ). Humble beginning Tuolumne County in California has many fishing options and hot spots to fish are several of! These are the most of the lower Tuolumne making the most of your fly fishing help! Bottom: Waterwheel Falls, the River reach below tuolumne river fishing spots dam ( Hetch Hetchy system during severe.! River, and Brown trout inhabit this section of the Tuolumne accumulates in this region are big-catfish magnets Brookies and! Channels and flatheads that also have good populations of trout key to making the of! Brown and rainbow trout 62 ] the Yokuts lived along the lower Tuolumne became a major route. Ten miles through Lyell canyon to its confluence with Dana Fork a brief period the lower Tuolumne the wonderful the... Fishing options and hot spots to fish Creek, the River at about the same lived the... Though youll save money if you stay outside the park, though youll money! These fish are all wild fisherman & # x27 ; s paradise channel, allowing the growth of habitat! Penstock and returns to the National park want to experience tuolumne river fishing spots much of Illihouette Creek possible... Merced River, and Brown trout are all of eastern brook trout were being made in the entire States! As possible with a combined length of 770 miles information about fishing on the Tuolumne River 's natural.... 25 miles and drops 4000 feet in elevation keep you entertained for however long you can to! Well to classic flies rainbow, brook, and Brown trout inhabit this section of the lower valley Falls White...