Cherokee Dam is a lake in Calaveras County, California.
Cherokee Dam is a lake in Calaveras County, California and covers about 31.4 acres.
Cherokee Dam can be broken down in a few passes: shallow cover, the first break, and the deepest useful water.
Fish listed for Cherokee Dam include Sacramento Pikeminnow, Sacramento Sucker, and Rainbow Trout.
When rainbow trout are the target on Cherokee Dam, cast a small spoon, inline spinner, light jig, or fly through cool 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; fish where rock meets mud, then keep a worm ready for a slower check.
Early in the year, protected water and the first warm afternoon can be the best clues; as the water heats up, check deeper edges without assuming every fish is on the bottom; cooling fall water often makes points and firm banks useful again; begin over firm bottom, then keep line light around small clear-water fish.
A light spinning rod, thin line, a few small spoons, inline spinners, and jigs cover the listed trout; carry one slightly heavier setup when other fish or windy water call for more control; match lure size to the fish; test the quiet side before the windy side, then change retrieve speed before changing lures.
Record the wind, water color, depth that gave up a fish, 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; write down the depth that works.
Explore nearby waters, including local Featured destinations. Check each page for access and fishing restrictions.
Distances are straight-line estimates between mapped water locations.