Pinto Lake

Boat Ramps: 1
Access Points: 2
Species: 13

Pinto Lake is a 126-acre freshwater lake located just outside Watsonville in Santa Cruz County, California, approximately 14 miles southeast of Santa Cruz. Originally developed for recreation in the early 20th century, this shallow natural lake within the Pajaro River watershed offers a serene fishing experience that draws anglers back despite not being the most famous destination. The lake covers approximately 101 acres with a surface elevation of 150 feet, featuring a mix of habitats including weedy edges, open shallows, and deeper areas that support a diverse fish population. With limited boat access and primarily shore-fishing opportunities, Pinto Lake provides a peaceful day out without heavy boat traffic, making it an ideal spot for both seasoned anglers and families.

California licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

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

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Brown Bullhead

Ameiurus nebulosus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio

Green Sunfish

Lepomis cyanellus

Redear Sunfish

Lepomis microlophus

Spotted Bass

Micropterus punctulatus

White Crappie

Pomoxis annularis

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Pinto 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.

Pinto Lake Access

Access Point

Know where you can legally fish on Pinto 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 Pinto 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 Pinto Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Pinto 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.