Did you know that these popular fishing spots are all less than a short drive from Fresno and Clovis? Grab your bait and start your next summer fishing trip in Fresno County! From bass, to trout, to catfish, these lakes are filled with great catches to find all summer long. Here are a couple of spots to reel your way into this season:
Winton Park
Not far from Fresno, you'll find Winton Park along the Kings River. The park is open year-round, but peak fishing times are from March through October during early morning and late evening. You'll catch brown trout, largemouth and striped bass, catfish, bluegill, and panfish. We recommend using a sliding sinker rig with powerbait or worms for trout. For bass, try spinnerbaits, plastic works or topwater lures, especially in slower eddies and bends of the river. You must have a California fishing license to fish. Parking for day-use is $5 per vehicle. Find more information here.
Pine Flat Lake
Pine Flat Lake is a scenic spot that overlooks the Sierra Nevada foothills and located 45 minutes east of Fresno. Multiple boat ramps can also be found here to launch your boats for boat fishing, kayaking, and even waterskiing! Fish you can find here include spotted bass, crappie, and trout, and plenty of other gamefish. You’ll want to head out early morning or late afternoon/dusk, for the best catches—fish activity peaks from April through June. We recommend fishing along the Kings River arm near inlets for bass. Deer Creek Recreation Area is popular for bank fishing for trout. Zebe Creek & Windy Gap are the prime areas for deep-water trolling for king salmon. You’ll need to use finesse jigs, shaky head plastic worms, tubes, and deep-diving crankbaits for bass fishing. For trout and salmon, target 5-40 feet depths, or use shad-patterned spoons, and for catfish use dip baits and chicken liver. You must have a California fishing license, and state regulations are a daily bag limit of 5 trout & salmon, 10 in possession. Crappie & bluegill have a daily limit of 25, and catfish have a limit of 10. There is a 5 fish daily bag limit for bass with some restrictions on certain species. Public parking and boat launches are available along the north shore via E. Trimmer Springs Rd.
Shaver Lake
Nestled within the Sierra Nevada is Shaver Lake, a popular fishing and recreation spot located one hour away from Fresno and Clovis. Anglers can find rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee salmon, and smallmouth bass in the lake. The best times to catch are early morning or late afternoon from April through early September. You can fish from the shoreline or by boat. Our favorite spots are near Boy Scout Island and Black Rock Cove. We recommend micro-hoochies, spinners, scented corn, and dodgers. The best bait to bring along include Powerbait, worms, and lures. You’ll need a California fishing license, and the limit of trout per day is 5, and 10 in possession with no size limits. Bass is limited to 5 daily and minimum size of 12 inches. Kokanee salmon has a daily bag limit of 5 fish and a possession limit of 10 with no specific size restrictions. There is a public boat launch area called Shaver Lake Launch Ramp at the north end of the lake along with free parking spots.
Hume Lake
Inside Kings Canyon National Park, you'll find Hume Lake. Here you can catch rainbow, brown, & brook trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, green sunfish, and catfish. The best time for fishing is June through September during the morning or late afternoon. We recommend spots are along Sandy Cove, the fishing pier on the south side, and in the deeper parts of the lake that are about 15-20 feet deep. You need to have a California fishing license. No motorized boats are prohibited, but kayaks, canoes, and row boats are allowed on the lake. There is a 5 daily bag limit and 10-fish possession limit for both trout & bass. The parking options are Sandy Cove, Powder Can Picnic Area, Hume Lake Day Use Area, and more.
Huntington Lake
Whether you're sitting by the shoreline admiring the stunning views or fishing by boat, Huntington Lake has it all. Huntington Lake is a popular stop with plenty of fishing. Located about 70 miles from Fresno, you'll find brown trout, rainbow trout, or kokanne salmon. Peak times for fishing are in late April through October, early in the morning or late afternoon. We recommend fishing near the Northshore creek inlets, west side docks. Fish by the shoreline or by boat at their public boat launching ramp. The best bait to bring would be Powerbait, lures, and worms. You’ll be required to have a California fishing license and trout have a 5 per day, 10 in possession limit. The lake has several paved boat launches, including the Huntington Boat Ramp & Launching Site.
South Fork Kings River
The South Fork Kings River (located in Kings Canyon National Park) is a great place to catch wild & stock rainbow, brown, brook, and some golden trout. Peak fishing generally occurs from mid-June through late August, during the early morning and late evening. The River Trail near the Cedar Grove area is known to be the easiest way to reach the river. However, there are many different types of trails leading to fishing spots along the South Fork Kings River. We recommend using a 3-5wt fly rod or spinning gear using small lures that mimic insects or crawdads. Aim for pockets of water for the best experience. You must have a valid California fishing license. From Copper Creek down to Boyden Cave there is a 2-trout daily bag limit, while the upper stretches follow season rules. Catch-and-release, types of lures, and more regulations vary depending on your location along the river. Find more information about fishing regulations here. Parking can be found along Highway 180 (Kings Canyon Scenic Byway) between Boyden Cavern and Roads Ends. But be prepared to hike, because hiking is the only way to get there.
Wishon Reservoir
The Wishon Reservoir offers great opportunities for hiking and fishing enthusiasts! Similar to the Courtright Reservoir, you can catch German brown, Eastern Brook, or rainbow trout at this beautiful lake. A boat launch is also available to those who wish to fish by boat. The best times to fish are in late-May to early-September, early morning to midday and mid-afternoon. The best bait to bring along include lures, Powerbait, and worms. You'll need a California fishing license. State regulation is five trout per day, with 10 in possession. The Wishon Boat Ramp is open to the public but their is a parking fee.
Courtright Reservoir
This beautiful lake can be found high up in the Sierra Nevada at a whopping 8,000 feet in elevation. Courtright Reservoir is a stunning spot that overlooks domes and the Sierra Nevada Forest. Peak fishing is June through September during the early mornings or late afternoons. The German brown, rainbow, or Eastern Brook trout are all popular catches to find all summer long. For the average lure and bait user, use 4-6-inch dodgers paired with spinners, rings, or hoochies. The best bait to bring along include Powerbait, nightcrawlers, and small lures. You'll need a California fishing license. State regulation is five trout per day, with 10 in possession. There is a public boat launch (the Courtright Boat Launching Site) with no fees or permits required for use. The altitude of this lake does bring down the temperature to about 25 degrees so be sure to wear light layers! Parking can be found near the boat ramp, at the end of the west-side road for the Cliff Lake trailhead, and at Wee Mee Kut Picnic Area, which offers parking on the west shore with a short walk to the reservoir.
Be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen for your trip, as most of these lakes tend to get pretty sunny over the summer! If interested in swimming, watersports, or any other activities that take place in the water, always practice the buddy system and wear a life jacket. For more information on purchasing a fishing license and learning about fishing regulations, visit here.
You can also follow along our fishing tour on our app here! Find more information on California fishing regulations here.
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