Hetch Hetchy Reservoir

Boat Ramps: 0
Access Points: 0
Species: 5

Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in Yosemite National Park offers a unique and pristine fishing experience in one of California's most spectacular settings. Located at 3,783 feet elevation and created by the O'Shaughnessy Dam in the 1920s, this 8-mile long reservoir is fed by the Tuolumne River and provides drinking water to the San Francisco Bay Area. The reservoir has a maximum capacity of 360,400 acre-feet and reaches depths up to 306 feet. What makes Hetch Hetchy exceptional is its wild, self-sustaining trout populations - the area hasn't been stocked since 1980, meaning all fish caught today are truly wild. The reservoir receives remarkably little fishing pressure, with less than 1% of Yosemite's visitors venturing to this northwestern corner of the park. Surrounded by towering granite cliffs, spectacular waterfalls including Wapama and Tueeulala Falls, and pristine wilderness, Hetch Hetchy offers both excellent fishing opportunities and breathtaking scenery that rivals Yosemite Valley itself.

California licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

Brook Trout

Salvelinus fontinalis

Brown Bullhead

Ameiurus nebulosus

Golden Trout

Oncorhynchus aguabonita

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

O`Shaughnessy Dam

Dam

Know where you can legally fish on Hetch Hetchy Reservoir

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

California licenses and regulations

California Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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California Fishing License Online

In California, anyone under the age of 16 or above is required to get a sport fishing license to take any fish; shell fish, reptile or amphibian in the state.

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California Freshwater Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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California Stream Access Laws

The courts have described the reach of the California public right of navigation as “the right to navigate and to exercise the incidents of navigation in a lawful manner at any point below high water mark” on waters that satisfy California’s small craft test. Thus, property owners cannot interfere with the public’s right to navigate or use shoreline areas below the ordinary high water mark for incidents of navigation. In fact, unauthorized obstruction of the public’s right to access and use a navigable waterway constitutes a public nuisance.

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Take Hetch Hetchy Reservoir with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Hetch Hetchy Reservoir to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Hetch Hetchy Reservoir to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.