Lake McClure Fishing Report

Saturday - February 21st, 2009

Atwater, CA

Posted By: Alexander Maxwell

Clear, late wind, 60 degrees

Yeah! Fishing Day!

02/20/09 Lake McClure

water temp: 52-53
Water clarity: 8ft
Wind: Initially calm but progressed pushing easterly at 2-4mph
Time:1130 am- 3 pm

Not much has changed at McClure, the trout are still biting with easy limits possible. I initially decided to troll and could only hook up once I added the flashers. I did best with the all silver needlefish, which is still consistent with the all shad all the time pattern they have been on. The fish are still in the top 10ft, and while my late arrival may be part of it, it did seem if some of the frenzy was gone.

I had my son with me, and couldn't muster up finesse tactics...I gave an attempt to try out My friends new spinnerbaits, which I like. ANd I tossed some Norman DD-22's ..which I also very much like. Needless to say McClure isnt ready for reaction bites.

I talked to a few rare bass fishermen on the lake and at the boat ramp. The consistent story is small bass on soft plastics at 25-40ft.

I talked to the Lake officials...er rangers..er MID guys and while Mcswain has been stocked with over 22,000 lbs this month, they weren't aware of what McClure had recieved. I guess DFG stocks as they please there, without a schedule.

Mcswain remains incredibly low and despite massive brown and brook trout plants fishing was really slow. I saw only two boats at 11am, and one reported a dead bite. They also said They hadn't seen any Browns..... So where are they? Not at the brush pile..the major hot spot on the Lake.

Additionally Mcswain isnt releasing anymore...making the downstream inflow to the merced a waste land of mud.