Fishing Beardsley Reservoir Afterbay

Sierra Fishing Destinations

HOME

Fishing Beardsley Reservoir Afterbay

Tuolumne County

Beardsley Reservoir on California's Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River attracts boating anglers from across the West. Just downstream from the massive earthen dam, however, is the less-often visited Beardsley Reservoir Afterbay. The mile-long stretch of still water makes for great fishing.

Unlike Beardsley Reservoir, the Afterbay is now only open during the regular fishing season, last Saturday in April through November 15. Special regulations by California Department of Fish and Game govern the Beardsley Reservoir Afterbay. The trout limit is 2, and you may only use barbless, artificial lures.

Below the Beardsley Reservoir Afterbay on the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus all the way to the Spring Gap footbridge, the same limitations apply.

Bearsley Reservoir Afterbay

While fishing at the Beardsley Reservoir Afterbay be aware of the possibility that the Tri-dam authorities might increase the amount of water being released from the dam, causing water levels to rise.

Recommended Lures, Books and Maps for Fishing Sierra Lakes and Streams

High Sierra Fishing , Basics to Advanced Tactics, Billy Van Loek. This is the book I go back to again and again to improve my fishing technique in the high Sierra.
The Definitive Guide to Fishing Central California Chris Shaffer. The book details more than 380 lakes, rivers and streams around Central California. The full color guide has more than 500 color photos.
Piscifun Fishing Bag Portable Outdoor Fishing Tackle Bags Multiple Waist Bag Fanny Pack Super light outdoor fanny pack with multi pockets. The KHAKI fishing bag weighs only 10.50oz
Piscifun Aluminum Fishing Pliers Braid Cutters Split Ring Pliers Hook Remover Fish Holder with Sheath and Lanyard Make your hook removal much easier. Spring Loaded Pliers - Keeps the pliers open freely, super easy to use by one hand.

Beardsley Reservoir

In My Creel

Jig Nymph
Daredevle Skeeter
#16 Adams
TH Polish Woven nymph
#14 Black Wulff

The Beardsley Reservoir Afterbay is a good place to practice your spin casting with barbless lures or flies. I had to modify many of the hooks on lures and flies I own to make them barbless.

Shop Amazon for
Trout Fishing Best Sellers

Stanislaus River

Other Nearby Featured Trips in Tuolumne County

Clark Fork - great fishing along an excellent trout stream. Easy access from the Clark Fork Road and good camping nearby.
Relief Reservoir and Creek - only an hour's hike from Kennedy Meadows. Set out early and arrive in time for a full morning of fishing.
Sharon Lake a remote mountain lake. This is best done as an overnight trip which includes fishing along Kennedy Creek.
South Fork Stanislaus River - Fraser Flat - good early season, camping available nearby.
South Fork Stanislaus River - From Strawberry upstream to Pinecrest Lake.

Sierra Fishing Destinations

HOME

Approach to Beardsley Reservoir Afterbay

Beardsley Reservoir is located in Tuolumne County off Highway 108. From most parts of California drive up Highway 108 through Sonora, passing beyond Pinecrest and Strawberry. The turnoff to Beardsley Reservoir is just a little less than 4 miles past Strawberry. Highway 108 reaches elevations of 6,000' here and is often snowbound in the winter, although it is plowed. The road down to Beardsley Reservoir, however, is closed whenever conditions are snowy or icy, often through most of the winter.

The 8-mile paved road down to the dam drops about 2,500'. Drive across the dam and turn down the little paved road that traverses down the face of the earthen dam toward the powerhouse at the bottom. There the road crosses the spillway and leads to a small picnic area known as China Flat. It has a few picnic tables and a vault toilet.

If the road down to the powerhouse is closed, there is a foot trail which begins immediately on the north side of the dam.

Sidetrips

Since you have driven all the way down to Beardsley Reservoir you might want to try your luck hiking on downstream and fishing on the Stanislaus River. A road leading from the Beardsley Reservoir Afterbay, right there at China Flat, follows the river.

Naturally you will want to fish in Beardsley Reservoir. If you drive back to Beardsley Point where the boat launch ramp is located, the point there makes a good spot to fish from the shore. A rustic paved trail leads out to the point from the picnic area or the boat ramp.

Accommodations

Lodging is available in nearby Strawberry or Pinecrest. Farther down the mountain you will find good motels in Twain Harte. For a more rustic setting, try going up Highway 108 to Kennedy Meadow Resort.

Beardsley Reservoir Campground is located a short distance away on the north side of the lake. It has a string of several camp sites with views of the lake, but the sites themselves are small and rather stark. Back up the Beardsley Reservoir Road is the relatively new TeleLi puLaya Campground.

By returning to Pinecrest you can find more appealing camping there. Heading on up Highway 108 you will find campgrounds on the Eagle Meadow Road, up on the Clark Fork, and farther up the highway near Dardanelle.

California's Best Camping

For complete information about campgrounds along Highway 108, see

Fishing Supplies

On your way to Beardsley Reservoir you can pick up fishing supplies on the way up Highway 108 in Sonora or at Mountain Liquors at 18711 Tiffeni Dr. in Twain Harte. At Pinecrest you can get fishing gear at the Pinecrest Sport Shop. On the east side of Sierra stop at Ken's Sporting Goods in Bridgeport. At Kennedy Meadows drop into their store.