Fresno County Fishing Reports

Shaver’s turning heads right now… and it’s not the kokanee getting the attention. A fourth trophy brown in under a month hit the net this week, and this one cleared 16 pounds. These fish aren’t showing up by accident. Years back, the lake was stocked with undersized browns, and now they’re thriving on an abundance of small kokanee and juvenile bass. That food base is doing exactly what you’d hope... building giants. Most of the big browns have come as bycatch on kokanee gear, but they’re clearly keyed in on the same forage.

Kokanee-wise, reports say third-year fish are limited this season due to the missed plant in 2023, but a few 18-inchers are still hanging around. Most of the current kokanee are second-year fish, but many are maturing ahead of schedule... which means more adult-size kokes to target… and more quality forage in the system for brown trout and bass to feed on.

Rainbow limits are still available for trollers and shorecasters soaking nightcrawlers or PowerBait. Smallmouth action is picking up too, especially on small reaction baits like cranks and underspins.

Pine Flat is on the upswing... literally. The lake’s been rising fast, and with water temps now in the low to mid 60s, bass are pushing shallow and getting active. You’ll find most of the action tight to the bank down to about 15 feet. Slower stuff is doing the work right now... jigs, Senkos, and Neko rigs are drawing the most bites. If you’re hunting size, try rolling a swimbait through the shallows—there’ve been a few reports of big ones coming that way. There’s still a mix of fish hanging deeper on bluff walls, and that’s where jerkbaits or a well-placed drop shot can shine. Things aren’t wide open just yet, but it’s close.

Crappie are showing up too, schooling around brush piles and hitting mini jigs and tiny swimmers. Trout action has slowed, although a few trollers are still out there catching a few holdovers.

Kings River below pine flat dam has been pretty slow. Last stocking has been a month past. Still getting some small sluggish bites on dry flies. Not as big of a hatch going on for mayflies this March. Still remaining hopeful as April comes with the salmonfly and caddisfly hatches.

Fishing earlier in the mornings seems to pose the best opportunities to catch bigger trout. Lots of risers in the morning and a bit more aggressive. Put your line out there and give it a try.