Lake McClure in Mariposa, California For Fishing & Camping

Fish Species

• Black Bass
• Catfish
• Crappie
• Panfish
• Rainbow Trout
• Salmon
• Shad
• Spotted Bass

McClure Lake is a artificial lake in western Mariposa County, CA, about 40 miles east of Modesto. It is formed by New Exchequer Dam on the Merced River, a tributary of the San Joaquin River. Its capacity is 1,032,000 acre feet. It is a rock-fill dam with a reinforced concrete face that was completed in 1967. It is owned by the Merced Irrigation District, which supplies northern Merced County California farms with water for irrigation through its 750 mile network of canals.

Besides storing water for irrigation, the lake also provides opportunities for recreation. Only a small amount of water from the lake is used for drinking water and human contact is allowed. Activities available include boating, water skiing, fishing and camping. There is a full service marina at the lake as well.

Lake McClure enjoys the reputation of being known as one of the very best fishing lakes in California. This may be due to the elaborate trout, king salmon and Florida largemouth bass stocking programs. Or perhaps it is because so many fish call this lake home, including rainbow trout, black bass, spotted bass, bluegill, crappie, catfish, salmon and shad.