Lake Yosemite is an artificial freshwater lake located approximately five miles east of Merced in the rolling Sierra Foothills. The lake is nearby the University of California of Merced. There was an abundance of students trying to find a parking spot when I was here during mid-week in May. Yosemite Lake is a popular bicycling, canoeing, and kayaking location.

This man-made lake is located right next to UC Merced. It’s a great place to paddle and have a picnic with friends. In the summer months, Yosemite Lake is a popular place for canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding.

Lake Yosemite is well noted by local fishermen as a premier bass fishing lake. It offers great fishing opportunities for kayak anglers, including those who also like to take in some sun. The lake holds a good population of trout, bluegill, and catfish. Trout are stocked in the early spring but don’t last through the summer because of water temperatures.

Novice paddlers enjoy the calm lake, and visitors enjoy the beautiful picnic area, and the variety of activities and places to explore close by.

Map of Yosimite Lake