Catfish and trout are the best thing going in this stretch of the Merced River, especially in the areas that are the most accessible, such as Hatfield Park.

The DFG stocks 22,000 rainbow trout ranging to 10 pounds in March and April. Once the area heats up, catfish take over. That's when folks show up in the evenings, toss out their bait, maybe sip a refreshment and nibble some fried chicken, and hope a catfish gets interested in their bait.

Salmon are always a wild card. When high rain and snowmelt result in high flows for the Merced River, something like 15,000 salmon make the journey up the Merced, and for the entire San Joaquin River system, the count can be as high as 70,000. But in drought years, with little water being allowed to flow from reservoirs to the sea, less than a hundred salmon return to the Merced, and only 600 return to the San Joaquin system.

The connection has become clear: High river flows equal high fish counts. It's about that simple.

Facilities, fees:

A campground and picnic areas are provided. Supplies are in Newman. A day-use fee is charged.

Directions:

To George J. Hatfield State Recreation Area: South of the junction of I5 and I580, take I5 south to the Newman/Stuhr Road exit. Turn east on County Road J18/Stuhr Road and drive to Newman and the junction with Highway 33. Turn right and drive a short distance to Hills Ferry Road. Turn left and drive five miles to the park entrance, on the right.

Contact:

California Parks and Recreation, Four Rivers District Office, 209-826-1197; George J. Hatfield State Recreation Area, 209-632-1852; McConnell State Recreation Area, 209-394-7755.