Pine Flat Lake

Boat Ramps: 6
Access Points: 7
Species: 20

Pine Flat Lake is a beautiful reservoir nestled in the Sierra foothills, approximately 45 minutes east of Fresno, California. Known as one of California's premier bass fishing destinations, the lake is particularly famous for its record-sized Alabama spotted bass. While spotted bass may be the headliner, the lake offers diverse fishing opportunities with multiple species of black bass, salmon, trout, and panfish. The surrounding landscape of pine and oak trees provides a scenic backdrop for anglers. As an irrigation and power generation reservoir, Pine Flat Lake experiences significant water level fluctuations, especially during summer and fall, which can dramatically affect fishing conditions and access points from one visit to the next.

California licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Pine Flat Lake and what's needed to catch them.

Fish stocking schedule

All stockings · 5

TroutWeek of Mar 29, 2026
TroutWeek of Mar 22, 2026
TroutWeek of Feb 1, 2026
TroutWeek of Jan 11, 2026
TroutWeek of Nov 16, 2025

Source

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Updated Nov 13, 2026. Dates are as precise as the agency reports them.

Open stocking page

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Pine Flat Lake. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Pine Flat Reservoir Access

Access Point

Know where you can legally fish on Pine Flat Lake

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

California licenses and regulations

California Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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California Fishing License Online

In California, anyone under the age of 16 or above is required to get a sport fishing license to take any fish; shell fish, reptile or amphibian in the state.

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California Freshwater Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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California Stream Access Laws

The courts have described the reach of the California public right of navigation as “the right to navigate and to exercise the incidents of navigation in a lawful manner at any point below high water mark” on waters that satisfy California’s small craft test. Thus, property owners cannot interfere with the public’s right to navigate or use shoreline areas below the ordinary high water mark for incidents of navigation. In fact, unauthorized obstruction of the public’s right to access and use a navigable waterway constitutes a public nuisance.

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Take Pine Flat Lake with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Pine Flat Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Pine Flat Lake to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.