Yosemite is a great place to fish and while there isn’t a significant amount of water in the waterfalls, the river is near perfect for trout fishing and one of the best places to fish is just outside the park in the Merced River along Highway 140. If you’ve been wanting to give it a try you’re in luck, this Saturday, September 8th you can fish without a license thanks to the California Department of Fish and Game’s Free Fishing Day.
Free Fishing Day is a twice-yearly event where the DFG waives the license requirement (about $40 for California residents 16 years and older). It’s a great day to go out, have some fun with the family, and enjoy the beauty of Yosemite and the Sierra.
DFG: If you are new to the sport of fishing, and not sure if you will enjoy it, a great opportunity awaits you. DFG offers two Free Fishing Days each year. On these days, you can fish without a sport fishing license. Free Fishing Days provide a great, low-cost way to give fishing a try. Free fishing day clinics are designed to educate novice anglers about fishing ethics, fish habits, effective methods for catching fish, and fishing tackle.
Sounds like fun! All fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect so be sure to read up on the river before you head out. Below are the regulations for the Merced River in Yosemite and along Highway 140.
| Area or Body of Water | Open Season | Daily Bag and Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|
| (117) Merced River (Mariposa Co.). |
||
| (A) From the Happy Isles footbridge downstream to the western boundary of Yosemite National Park at El Portal. |
Last Saturday in Apr. through Nov. 15. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used. |
0 rainbow trout. 5 brown trout per day. 10 brown trout in possession |
| (B) From the western boundary of Yosemite Valley National Park at El Portal downstream to Foresta bridge. |
All year. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used. |
0 rainbow trout. 5 brown trout per day. 10 brown trout in possession |
| (C) From Foresta bridge downstream to Lake McClure. |
Last Saturday in Apr. through Nov. 15. |
5 per day 10 in possession |
If you’d like to try your hand somewhere a little more scenic you might give Saddlebag Lake, Ellery Lake, and Tioga Lake a try. They’re just outside the east entrance to the park along the Tioga Road (Highway 120 east). They receive trout from the hatchery several times a year. They are heavily fished, though, and right now is the height of trout season. Give my friend Bob Nakagawa a call at Sierra Anglers and he can give you the low-down on the lakes. Bob can be reached at 209-572-2212 or by email at sierraanglers@hotmail.com.
Photo by Cameron Maddux via Flickr.com.