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McClure Lake and Reports

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Monday, February 27th, 2023

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    Report: by basstrophy » Mon Feb 27, 2023 8:39 pm

    Slay Nations season opener at Lake McClure saw 40 anglers brave the chilly windy conditions. The air temperature was in the high 30’s to low 40’s with overcast skies, the water temperature ranged from 47 to 48 degrees, wind was calm early but blew from 10 to 15 mph later in the day. Lake McClure was stingy for most, but Max Lee found the right combination for an incredible 86.25”, besting second place by 1.5”.

    In Max Lee’s own words, "Going into this event I had no expectations; this was my first time on McClure Lake along with no practice. I have practiced on Pine Flat Lake which is also a highland reservoir with spotted bass. I had previously patterned the lake and gained confidence on a 3.3 fat impact swimbait with a 3/16th ball headed jig. On tournament day, the original game plan was to make the run into temperance arm. However, after realizing that fishing started as soon as we launched. I decided to fish around the boat ramp, I started in the back of a cove and found no success. I had previously done my map study and knew of high spots and points on the island south of the launch area. I figured with the water being slightly stained and the wind blowing, there was going to be some kind of bladed lure bite. I had confidence in a ball-headed Keitech, so I thought why not throw an A-rig with multiple swimmers. Upon reviewing my footage, I realized there were a few key things to trigger a bite. Crawling the rig as close to the bottom as possible, Fishing in less than 20 feet of water, casting into the wind and bringing the rig in with the wind. My first bite came on the wind protected side of a chunk rock point. The next bite came on a wind-blown chunk rock wall, I had gotten hung up and went to pop my rig loose and he ate it as I was reeling up. I continued to cover water and ran around the entire island for no more bites. My next bite was 100 yards North of the first bite on a slow tapering rock point that had a hard clay transition. That was the big fish of the day. I continued down the stretch of bank until I got to the area where I had gotten my 2nd bite of the day. With no bites I decided to double back and fish into the wind on the main lake side of the island. My 4th bite came on the northern point of the Island. I made the cast to shore on a boulder and was bit before it made it to the bottom. I fished into the wind 300 yards for no bites and was running out of boulders to cast at. I decided to make a run straight across the lake to a creek runoff area. I made one cast on the boulders on the shoreline and got my 5th bite. I would like to thank my friends and family for the support and encouragement they gave me. Along with the fellow anglers that I fish with and compete against. I appreciate and love the amount of passion and commitment my fellow peers and mentors have for fishing."

    Damian Thao came in second place with 84.75”. Thao started the morning off with a spinnerbait fish with in the first 5 cast of the day. He fished shallow all day long in the 5-to-10-foot range. He caught fish on a drop-shot Robo worm 6” straight tail Oxblood that attributed a few good keepers. The key to his better fish were secondary points with flats that had grass. He used his Garmin Panoptix to find the fish moving shallow and would cast to them. He rotated a few key locations and was able to catch bigger fish in the afternoon. Damian thanked his sponsors Wild West Bass Trail, Garmin, Power Pole, Duo Realis, LA Custom Jigs, TM Custom Lures, P-Line, 1st. Gen Fishing, and Kayak City. Thao displayed his appreciation to Dave Nunes with Slay Nation for putting on this event.

    David Morris, one of the greatest people one can meet, finished in 3rd place with 80.50”. Morris caught all his fish on a wacky rigged 297 Senko in the 5” size. He went upriver and fished 7-to-15 feet deep on rocks catching 12 fish throughout the day. Morris thanked his wonderful wife for all her support in making his fishing possible.

Friday, June 28th, 2019

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    Report: by BassinWithChoffel » Fri Jun 28, 2019 5:33 pm

    Got this girl on a drop shot level 4 hook on a yum finesse worm black and silver at lake McClure. Lakes about full lots of floating logs and waters murky and muddy in some spots but the big girls are biting.

Saturday, June 22nd, 2019

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    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: The water at McClure is Full and with all the stained water, trees and sticks being washed up from the high inflows. It can be a hard grind I caught a couple good ones throwing crankbaits on steep ledges. But head towards the dam and theres a couple shallow hill tops and flats out off all the coves far out from the dirtier water. Finesse fish these areas in 30 feet all the way to the 2 feet of water all my biggest fish came like this and my big fish 8 pounds 2 ounces cames from about 4 feet deep only I actually sight fished her in June talk about a post spawn sight fish..

    Tips: Finesse fish points island tops flats and flooded roadbeds in about 20 feet of water.

Wednesday, March 13th, 2019

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    Report: by RCook » Wed Mar 13, 2019 12:40 pm

    3-13-19 Lake Mclure Fishing Report
    On the water 7:30 a.m
    Off the water 12:30 p.m
    Water temp 52.5°
    Water clarity 5-15'

    My buddy Bryce Dibble and I took his two young boys out for a few fun fish catching hours on Lake McClure, and catch fish they did. We targeted main lake rocky points from 5'-35' of water throwing jigs and tube baits, with a few underspin fish mixed in.

    Today was all about trying to keep the kids on fish, and we were throwing baits with exposed hooks so they could get a hook set easier into the fish. We fished slow and caught fish consistently, probably boating 35+ largemouth and spotted bass, not bad for 5 and 6 year old! The Spring bite seems to be a couple of weeks behind, but I expect these fish to be moving up shallow in a big way very soon! Call today today to book your trip, Spring is almost full! 559-691-7008

Sunday, December 30th, 2018

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    Water Temp: 54-56

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Last day of fishing in 2018!!!! Decided to head to McClure and was not disappointed. Started out just running the bank throwing an underspin with 3.8" trailer in about 20-40 FOW. Caught alot of fish on the day but nothing big. Most of the fish were coming off of chunk rock when I would grind the underspin on the bottom or bang it into the rocks. Caught a couple fish on a hula grub as well. I did catch a few spots hovering around 3lbs. One had a large shad down his gullet close to 5" in length; what a greedy fish :). Only caught 2 largemouth the whole trip. I tried throwing an A Rig and big swimbaits as well with no luck. A fun day of winter fishing though.

    Tips: Some bites on the underspin came on the fall so pay attention on that intial drop. Water was pretty clean so I'm sure they can see your bait from far away.

Wednesday, November 14th, 2018

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    Water Temp: Water temp- 64-66*

    Report: Lake McClure Fishing Report
    11-9-18
    On the water - 6:30 am
    Off the water- 12:30 pm
    Water clarity- clear

    Today I took a couple of clients (Henry and Naz) out on beautiful Lake McClure for a half day trip. We started off on the south end of the lake fishing main lake points and creek channels between 25 and 50 foot of water, drop shotting 4” shad pattern worms. We caught a lot of fish between 12 inches and 2 1/2 pounds, the bite was fast and furious for the first couple of hours!
    After about 9:30 am we decided to start bouncing main lake points and steep rock bluff style banks throwing some more drop shot baits, tube style baits, and jigs. We caught several more fish, with the biggest still going right around the 2.5 to 3 pound range.
    We ended the day with well over 75 fish, not bad for a couple who has never been bass fishing a day in their life! The fish seem to be following the shad, so when you find the bait, you find the fish, simple as that.

Wednesday, November 7th, 2018

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    Water Temp: Water temp- 64/67*

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: by RCook » Wed Nov 07, 2018 1:47 pm

    Fishing report for Lake McClure Sunday 11-4-18

    On the water at 6:00 am.
    Off the water at 5:00 pm.
    Water clarity- very clear.
    Water temp- 64/67*

    Today I took a couple of new friends Darren and Lizzie out to Lake McClure for a day of fun fishing.

    We started off in one of the creek channels throwing top water, as there were a lot of smaller fish busting bait on the surface. We had a fun time for the first couple of hours and caught several on top water, as well as a few others on plastics out deeper.

    When we had had enough of the smaller fish we decided to go look for the bigger ones, which I have been noticing are moving quite a bit deeper.

    We fished main lake points near steep drop off’s with tube baits rugged on 1/4 oz dartheads, made by Fattys Worms, And drop shotted six-inch morning dawn worms.

    Once we moved out deeper (50-80’) we did not get nearly as many bites but we found the quality.

    We ended the day with around 14lbs for our best 5, with a beautiful spotted bass kicker weighing just over 4 lbs (caught by Lizzie of course!)

    Both Lizzie and Darren caught their personal best spotted bass, so it was a great day with great friend.

    There is great fishing to be had at all of our Motherlode lakes right now, time to get out there!

Tuesday, October 30th, 2018

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    Water Temp: 66-68

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Glad to be back in a bass boat. Purchased a new to me Champion last week and finally got to take her out. Got on the water at 7am launched out of Barrett Cove south ramp. Weather was clear w/about 5 mph wind. Stopped at a point on the main lake working my way back into a cove. Fished a little of everything poppers,spinner bait, jigs, and crankbait. Caught fish on all of them. Got a lot of action on topwater but the fish were not committing to biting only landed 3 out of the 15+ strikes I had on the popper. Fish were caught from 3 ft of water to 30ft. Bigger fish came on jigs several close to 3lbs. Moved to several different areas and caught fish at all of them. Fished until about 1pm(had to leave early) all and all caught over 20 total(stopped counting at 15).

    Tips: Bass fishing is wide open. Have fun and rip some lips.

Wednesday, October 10th, 2018

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    Report: by TravisH » Wed Oct 10, 2018 5:58 am

    There’s a decent Topwater bite from sunrise till about 8:30am then the fished pushed out in the 30’ depth range an we caught them on points an island tops throwing the dropshot and Ned rig.. The finesse bite was wide open for average sized spots an I also had a 5lber on a River2sea Rover first thing in the morning along with a good jig fish around mid morning.. I fished the horseshoe bend area an up the river arm..Also while on the water I was recording Sonar logs for upcoming Updates for Navionics so look forward to some new info soon . Hope this helps some, best of Luck!

Saturday, April 28th, 2018

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    Water Temp: 66

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: My buddy Ryan Cook headed out to Lake McClure on 4/28 and shared what he found:
    "Decided to head out McClure for an afternoon session and the bite was on fire. We fished about 6 hours and caught over 40 fish. We targeted wind-blown flats where we found bass pushing bait into the shallows. They were busting bait on the surface for over 4 hours in a couple different key areas. We threw underspins and a variety of topwater baits. Nothing big, but we did find a couple in the 3 pound range."

    Tips: Head out to McClure for some steady action. McClure is a beautiful lake with a great mix of spots and largies.

    Report submitted by Motherlode Kayak Angler Kayak Bass Guide Service (209) 230-3159

Sunday, April 8th, 2018

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    Water Temp: 60 to 64 F

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: On the water: 7:00 AM
    Off the water: 4:15 PM
    Air Temp:
    Low: 44
    High: 68
    Barometric Pressure: 30.1
    Sky: Clear, bluebird skies with only a few thin clouds
    Water Temp: 60 to 64 F
    Water Clarity: Clear (up to 10 feet)
    Water Level: 839 as of 4/7, up 3.7 feet from day before
    Wind: NW 6 to 12 mph (average 9 mph)
    Moon: Waxing Crescent (48% visible)
    Fish Activity: Moderate
    Kayaks: Hobie Outback, Hobie PA 14
    Lures: Soft plastics on the bottom

    Narrative:Headed out to Lake McClure today with guide client Jim Williams. Jim was the winner of the MKA Kayak Bass Guide Service raffle. Jim chose to go to Lake McClure to get more acquainted with the Motherlode lakes since he is primarily a Delta fisherman. We started out in the Temperance arm mixing it up with some reaction baits, jigs, and plastics. We quickly identified that they wanted it slow moving and on or near the bottom. Jim picked up two on the dropshot right away off a secondary point close to the bank. The dropshot bite tapered off and then we switched over to the carolina rig and picked up a few dragging lizards, creature baits, and worms rigged with Trapper Hooks on flat points, and cuts near secondary points. We then worked our way out to the main lake and found a good Ned Rig bite. I broke off a nice one (again) near a known spawning area just off the main lake. Jim got on a steady bite and was boating a nice mixture of Spots and Largemouths. We worked our way back to McClure Point fishing the main lake rocky walls, points, and cuts. We got on a steady bite of solid keepers. The wind was really howling and we worked our way back into McClure Point. Jim then hooked a GIANT on the Ned Rig. He threw into the back of a wind-blown cut and she bit. She surged for deep water and then she jumped with a big head shake and spit the hook. I was right behind him and got a good look at her. She was a huge Largemouth that was between 8 and 10 pounds. Jim ended the day with a total of 14 fish in the boat and the memory of that Donkey breaking the surface!

    Tips: You can catch steady numbers of fish in the 10 to 30 foot range but the big ones are up shallow. It should only get better over the next few weeks. The lake is almost completely full. This is going to be a great fishing year in the Motherlode.

    Submitted by Motherlode Kayak Angler Kayak Bass Guide Service (209) 230-3159.

Saturday, March 31st, 2018

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    Water Temp: 60 to 68 F

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Tons of action but no size at Lake McClure today.
    On the water: 7:00 AM
    Off the water: 4:00 PM
    Air Temp:
    Low: 47
    High: 80
    Barometric Pressure: 29.9
    Sky: Mostly clear with some clouds / overcast
    Water Temp: 60 to 68 F
    Water Clarity: Clear (up to 10 feet)
    Water Level: 836.67 as of 3/30, up 0.44 feet from day before
    Wind: Very little wind, slight breeze at times
    Moon: Waxing Gibbous (99% visible)
    Fish Activity: Moderate to high
    Kayaks: Hobie Outback, Native Watercraft Manta Ray 12, Native Watercraft Titan 12
    Lures: Soft plastics on the bottom

    Headed out to Lake McClure today with Barry and Will. I wanted to take a look around to see how the recent rains have effected the lake. The lake is really high and the water is clear. There is a ton of debris in the lake so be careful. There are some big logs / branches floating just under the surface that could cause some serious damage. Lake McSwain is down a few feet and is muddy throughout. The Merced River is running high and also muddy due to the rains and the release of water from McSwain. Now for the fishing report.....we launched out of McClure Point and focused our efforts on the southern end of the lake. We found fish on islands and primary / secondary points and cuts. The fish were in 10 to 20 feet of water. They were keying on bottom baits. Hand-poured 4" worms, 6" lizards, 4-6" creature baits, and ned rigs all worked on the bottom and slow. We weren't able to get any reaction or topwater bites. I didn't see any fish on beds in the areas that I scouted. We found a good mixture of largies and spots. Nothing big, just nice healthy fish. I did break one off on a ned rig on light line that felt like a big fish, you all know how that goes. There is more rain projected for later this week with a cooling trend. This should keep the fishing in a holding pattern.

    Tips: Be careful if you are headed out to McClure in a big boat. I would keep it slow and keep an eye out for logs and debris. Work bottom baits in 10 to 20 feet of water right now for consistent action. Fish should be moving to the bank soon with a week or two of stable, warm weather.

    Fishing report submitted by Motherlode Kayak Angler Kayak Bass Guide Service (209) 230-3159

Saturday, February 18th, 2017

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    Water Temp: 51

    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: Fished the TriValley Bassmasters club tournament. Despite numerous phone calls, MID didn't open the Barrett Cove launch ramp until 08:30 ( Doh). May not have mattered, because fishing was really slow. Winning bag was 13 lbs. Biggest fish was a 4 lb large mouth caught by legendary
    Bassmaster Bruce. Grubs, jigs, and drop shot worked best in 5-10 feet of water. Best bite was in afternoon, though early morning was not possible to test. Previous high winds moved most of the debris off of the lake. Very few boats on lake.

    Tips: With very few boats on lake, Fish and Game AND Sheriff have little to do. Make sure you obey rules especially; fishing in counter clock wise direction and have license with you. If ticketed you may have to go all the way to Mariposa County Court house. Though there are plenty of uglier places to visit.

Tuesday, February 14th, 2017

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    Water Temp: 56

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Rough day fishing. Went trough the tackle box. Nothing worked. Was prefishing for a tournament on Saturday. Maybe rapidly changing lake level has fish confused, probably most fish in McClure have never seen the level this high.
    On a good note: lake is beautiful, very little fishing pressure.

    Tips: Some huge trees floating in the water, be careful.

Saturday, October 22nd, 2016

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    Report: by steve black » Sat Oct 22, 2016 7:39 pm

    Took the wife up there today,first time up since spring time, McClure PT ramp open, plenty of water to launch. A number of trucks at both launching areas but the lake seemed empty. No complaints here lol Water temp A.M. 65 to 68deg, lake had good color.
    Found the shad balls and found the spots racing through them. Slow rolling spinner baits through them, both of us limiting out within half hour. Lots of fun for the wife, those spots pull hard, ranging from a pound and half to 3 lbs.
    Take the wife and kids out, while theirs no yahoo's to ruin the day, :D Good luck
    Steve.

Thursday, September 15th, 2016

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    Report: by Keith Rakoncza » Thu Sep 15, 2016 2:05 pm

    Fishing has been hit and miss at McClure Robert. The spots are FAT CHUNKS! I did get this 10.2 to go a few weeks back there. South launch ramp at Barrett Cove is good with all islands marked pretty well. Lake is at 43% I believe. Good luck!

    See pic here: http://www.westernbass.com/forum/post568969.html?hilit=mcclure#p568969

Wednesday, August 10th, 2016

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    Report: by george » Tue Sep 13, 2016 6:34 am

    Hey Robert, I was up there the first week of August and had no problems launching out of Barretts Cove south ramp. Water level I am thinking is about sixty percent and looked great but the bite was tough. We spent the week on a house boat and I found the few decent fish I caught on steeper nothing banks.
    Got into a fun spoon bite on river points but they were mostly shakers. I think if a guy spent the time in the river spooning you could find some better fish.

Sunday, August 24th, 2014

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    Report: by Roscoe » Sun Aug 24, 2014 7:59 pm

    Today I went to ladds from 5:30-12, caught 20 non keepers but catching fish constantly. Got home around 1:30 and went up to Pedro. The lake is down but still a good lake to go fish still. Caught 5 , only 2 keepers but overall the lake is still very fishable. Now heading in I've seen something that I never thought I would see. There was a ski boat up on a steep rock roughly 10' stuck up on the rocks. The guys were injured but were getting medical attention when we came across them. And remember with this drought out fishing spots are getting used by skiers and jet skiers so pay attention fellow anglers and good luck.

Wednesday, January 1st, 2014

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    Water Temp: 56

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Lake is exstreamly low with the old railrod trussel towers rising forty feet out of the water just south of Barretts Cove Marina. There is no river so dont be shocked when you run up there; this lake is at about 20% and the lowest I have ever seen and I have fished it for thirty years.
    Caught about a dozen on drop shot and small spinner baits but no size, biggest being about 2 lbs. Best five may have been 8 lbs.
    Nothing in Cottonwood or Temperance and Portuguese cove is dried up so we went to main lake points and fished them out until we got bit. Find a bait ball and get a idea of the baits depth than drop shot while you very your hook position from six inches off the botton all the way to six feet or more off the bottom until they eat it.

    Tips: The bigger fish have to eat at some point, I think they are doing that at night and until the early morning hours so if you are going throw a big fish bait i would do it for the first couple of hours. It has taken less then ten pounds to win the last few events up there and one cast could match that with a swim bait, jig or spook.

Tuesday, July 30th, 2013

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    Water Temp: 82

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Thought I would post such no one has lately. On the water by 5am hoping for a topwater bite. No reaction in the am so I switched to jigs and dropshop and picked up a few small fish on the southern end. Moved to the main lake mid-morning and checked a few coves for baitfish near temperance and finally found them. Boated over 30 spots in about 2 hours on spoons. Better grade fish were down 40 to 50 ft while the smaller fish were shallow. Caught a few largemouth amongst the spots.

    Tips: Move around untill you find the bait. All the fish I caught were suspended and willing to bite. Look deeper for the 1 to 2lb fish. They were in big schools right now.