Chain Lakes

Chain Lakes in Madera County is a lake in California and covers about 0.4 acres, reaches about 7.2 feet at its deepest point and holds roughly 1.2 acre-feet.

One weed edge or deeper pocket can hold much of the day’s activity; test the quiet side before the windy side, then work the bottom where the bank turns steep. With little deep water in Chain Lakes, weeds, wind, and water color can matter more than depth alone.

Fish and Baits

The fish mix here is not confirmed, so check fresh local information before choosing a target or keeping a catch; check the downwind corner for food, then keep the bait above soft bottom.

Begin with one slow bottom presentation and one moving bait, then let bites show whether fish are holding close to cover or roaming open water; start where bait gathers, then repeat the depth that gives the first bite.

How to Read the Water

Make one shallow pass and one deeper pass on the same shoreline; that shows whether fish are tight to cover or using the first break; keep the bait above soft bottom.

Season by Season

In spring, start with warming banks, creek mouths, and shallow cover; summer usually pushes the better bite toward the outside weed edge or a nearby drop; fall can bring bait back to windblown points, while winter calls for smaller moves and a slower pace; fish the first useful drop, then slow the bait when a good edge appears.

A Simple Tackle Plan

A medium spinning rod, 8-pound line, a small box of jigs, a few crankbaits, and a simple bottom rig cover most situations; change depth or speed before changing every piece of tackle; use a slow bait after the search lure, then use stronger line beside wood and sharp rock.

Record the wind, water color, depth where fish were holding, and cover after a bite; those four notes are more useful on the next trip than a long list of spots that did not produce; try the windblown bank, then keep the bait above soft bottom.