NF Mokelumne River

Suggested Flies for the NF Mokelumne area:
Westside Sierra Hatch Selection

Dry Flies:
Elk Hair Caddis #14-18
PMD #14-18
BWO #16-20
Royal Stimulator #6-14

Nymph Flies:
Kaufmann Golden Stone #6-10
Black A.P. Nymph #12-16
Olive Bird's Nest #14-18
GR Hare's Ear #10-14
Pheasant Tail Nymph #14-18

Streamer Flies:
Woolly Bugger #6-8
Marabou Muddler #6-8
Matuka #6-10

Directions:

North Fork Mokelumne: Take Hwy 88 (Carson Pass Highway) from Jackson. Go 18 miles to Tiger Creek Powerhouse Road. Proceed one mile to Tiger Creek Afterbay. Tiger Creek is a good access hike from it's Reservoir near Amador Ranger Station. Another access point is taking Hwy 88, past the Ranger Station, to Ellis Road which will take you 11 miles down to Mokelumne River Camp.

Notes:
The name "Mokelumne" is a Native American term from the Miwok tribe meaning people of the fishnet. Most of the Mokelumne above Hwy 49 at Jackson contains small Browns and Rainbows in the 8" to 14" class. The area has numerous logging roads, many which have locked gates. Usually, the landowners do allow access to fish the many small creeks of the area. This region can have a lot of snow run-off until July. After July, the pools show up well and it is quite fishable. Rainbows are planted within streams near campgrounds but large wild browns come up the river and hold within the pools. Below Salt Spring Reservoir, the NF Mokelumne is controlled by hydropower needs. Flows can vary from 20 to 210 cfs depending on the year. During the low flow months of June-November, insect populations can be quite limited. The resulting trout are small and few. The NF Mokelumne is a designated Wild and Scenic River from the Tiger Creek Afterbay to the Hwy 26 bridge, a three mile distance. It is heavily used for white water rafting in the late Spring and Early Summer.

Tiger Creek Afterbay: (70 acres) at 2400' elevation. Open Year-round. Does not allow float tubes or boats. The Afterbay is stocked with 2,600 10-11" rainbows that are only about a half pound but there are resident Browns that feed on these plants that are in the 1-4 lb range. A trail parallels the creek for about a quarter mile.

Fishing Regulations (Effect March 1st, 2021)

North Fork Mokelumne River:

From the last Saturday in April through November 15, five trout daily bag limit, 10 trout in possession; and, from November 16 through the Friday preceding the last Saturday in April, 0 trout bag limit, artificial lures with barbless hooks only and trout must be released unharmed and not removed from the water.

Lakes and Reservoirs:

Open all year. No restrictions. 5 trout per day. 10 trout in possession.

All creeks and tributaries:

From the last Saturday in April through November 15, five trout daily bag limit, 10 trout in possession; and, from November 16 through the Friday preceding the last Saturday in April, 0 trout bag limit, artificial lures with barbless hooks only and trout must be released unharmed and not removed from the water.