Yosemite allows year-round fishing

Yosemite National Park said Tuesday that fishing is now allowed year-round in Yosemite Valley and the Hetch Hetchy area, ending seasonal closures that had limited winter angling access. The change took effect immediately, according to a park notice published June 2. Park officials said the update is meant to simplify rules for visitors while keeping existing protections on gear, bait and access in place. The new policy aligns more closely with California regulations, which generally govern fishing in the park. ### Which parts of Yosemite are covered by the new rule? Yosemite Valley and Hetch Hetchy are the areas most directly affected by the change announced Tuesday. The park said seasonal closures that had previously restricted winter fishing access have been removed, allowing anglers to fish throughout the year in those areas. The National Park Service’s updated fishing page now states that all waters are open to fishing all year except where specific restrictions apply. (nps.gov) That page also says California fishing regulations apply in Yosemite unless the park lists an exception. ### What did Yosemite say about why it changed the policy? Superintendent Ray McPadden said in the park’s announcement that the update expands recreational access while preserving Yosemite’s natural resources. (nps.gov) He said visitors can now fish throughout the year, including in Hetch Hetchy, under rules that are easier to understand and more consistent with state guidelines. The June 2 notice did not describe the change as a broader rewrite of park fishing policy beyond the removal of seasonal closures. (nps.gov) Instead, it framed the move as an update to visitor access and rule clarity. ### What rules still apply if you want to fish there? Visitors age 16 or older must have a valid California fishing license, according to Yosemite’s fishing regulations page. The park also says live, dead or scented bait is prohibited, even though California regulations otherwise apply in most waters. (nps.gov) Yosemite also keeps several park-specific restrictions in place. The fishing page says transporting live fish any distance is prohibited, fishing from horseback in any lake or stream is prohibited, and lead weights used on fishing lines must be 0.25 ounces or less. (nps.gov) ### Does Hetch Hetchy have separate access limits? Hetch Hetchy still has access constraints even with year-round fishing. Yosemite’s visitor information says the Hetch Hetchy Road is generally open only from sunrise to sunset and may close in winter weather. (nps.gov) The park’s current conditions page said the road was open as of the latest update, but noted it can close when snow is forecast overnight. The National Park Service also says public access is prohibited below the high-water mark of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. (nps.gov) A separate park page for the reservoir says fishing is allowed year-round there and lists a daily bag limit of five fish and 10 in possession. ### Where can visitors check the current rules before they go? The National Park Service has posted the updated rules on Yosemite’s fishing page and in the June 2 park announcement. (nps.gov) Those pages list license requirements, bait restrictions and area-specific limits that still apply inside park boundaries. Yosemite’s current conditions page and Hetch Hetchy visitor pages carry the latest road and access information for anglers planning a trip. (nps.gov) As of June 2, the fishing rule change was already in effect, while road access and seasonal conditions remained subject to park updates. (nps.gov 1) (nps.gov 2)