Explore, fish and picnic at the peaceful and private Fisherman's Cove located off of Rock Canyon Road in Unit 3. Spot countless species of birds throughout the landscape. Best of all, you'll find new meaning in the spectacular sunsets that paint the lake aglow.

Fisherman's Cove is a non-swimming area perfect for fishing, relaxing and a great place for the kids to play.

The cove is surrounded by a peaceful shoreline and whispering pine and oak trees as well as the beautiful mountains of the Sierra Nevada. Park your car at Fisherman's Cove and ride one of our two custom 18-passenger seasonal water Taxis around the lake. Stop by the Marina for lunch and a swim or tour the lake for fun.

Fishing on Pine Mountain Lake is governed by California State law and requires a California State fishing license. Fish limits are governed by California Fish & Game laws. NO LIVE BAIT is permitted other than worms.  Fishing licenses are available year around at the Main Gate and seasonally at the Marina.

Fishing off water taxi docks during water taxi operating hours is prohibited. Trespassing on private property is not allowed. No fishing within 25 feet of designated swim areas.

Boat registration, launching, docking, and gas dock are all controlled from the Marina Store.  Fishing Licenses are available at the Marina and the Main Gate.

2012 FISH PLANTS
Pine Mountain Lake will restock the lake with Rainbow Trout twice in 2012. Restocking dates are May 11th at 11:30 am and September 21, 2012.  The release will take place at the Marina.  In May approximately 1000 pounds of 1 to 1-1/2 pound size Rainbow Trout will be released in to the lake.

There is no fishing in the area surrounding the Marina for twenty-four hours after the plant to allow the fish to disperse into the lake.

$3 per adult for an unlimited day pass, $2 per child (8 yrs & under) for an unlimited day pass. (Day passes not available on holidays or holiday weekends.)

 

Be sure to sign up at the Marina Store for the Fishing Derby. There is a $5 entry fee and it runs from May 5th through Sept. 3, 2012. For valid entry you must sign up at the Marina prior to catching fish. A prize will be given for the heaviest fish caught.

June 16, July 14 and August 11, 2012

Using your own gear, kids ages 7-15 sign up at the Marina for a supervised fishing boat trip from 6:30 am to 9:30 am. Maximum boatload is 6 kids for this learning experience. Learn fishing tips and safety while possibly catching one of our large fish, trout/bass/catfish, by Captain Ernie.

Have you ever felt the excitement of watching your bobber suddenly jiggle, then dive out of sight? Or feeling the tap-tap-tap of a bass as it tastes the worm on the end of your line? Or having a salmon practically tear the rod out of your hands as it smashes your lure? What's that? You say you never learned to fish?

Well, if you're new to the sport of fishing, and not sure if you will enjoy it, we have a great deal for you. The Department of Fish and Game offers two "Free Fishing Days" each year. That's right, you can fish without having to buy a license on free fishing days! They're a great, low-cost way to give fishing a try. Some Department offices even offer clinics on free fishing days! And the Dept. of Fish & Game has a "Fishing in the City" program where you can go fishing in the middle of major metropolitan areas -- maybe just a block or two from your home! "Fishing in the City" and free fishing day clinics are designed to educate people just like you about fish habits, proven methods of catching fish, and tackle you'll need. You can even learn how to clean and prepare your catch so you can enjoy it for dinner that night!

While all fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect; there are two days each year where anyone can fish without purchasing a fishing license.

California's free fishing days for 2012 are July 7th and September 8th. Check here for additional information on Free Fishing Days in the San Francisco Bay area.

 

Check out the photo gallery for big fish caught in Pine Mountain Lake.

by: California Fish & Game

Follow these five points to release fish unharmed:

1. Land your fish as carefully and quickly as possible.

2. Try to avoid removing the fish from the water. Underwater unhooking and release is preferred.

3. Do not squeeze the fish, or touch its eyes or gills.

4. Remove only those hooks that you can see and remove easily, otherwise clip the line near the mouth on deep hooked fish.

5. Use artificial lures (no bait) to minimize deep hooking. Barbless hooks or hooks with flattened barbs make unhooking easier and less stressful on the fish.

 

The National Geographic website provides the following information on Rainbow Trout.

The rainbow trout is native only to the rivers and lakes of North America, west of the Rocky Mountains, but its value as a hard-fighting game fish and tasty meal has led to its introduction throughout the world.

Rainbow trout, also called redband trout, are gorgeous fish, with coloring and patterns that vary widely depending on habitat, age, and spawning condition. They are torpedo-shaped and generally blue-green or yellow-green in color with a pink streak along their sides, white underbelly, and small black spots on their back and fins.

They are members of the salmon family and, like their salmon cousins, can grow quite large. They average about 20 to 30 inches (51 to 76 centimeters) long and around 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms), but can grow as long as 4 feet (1.2 meters) and weigh up to 53 pounds (24 kg).

They prefer cool, clear rivers, streams, and lakes, though some will leave their freshwater homes and follow a river out to the sea. These migratory adults, called steelheads because they acquire more silvery markings, will spend several years in the ocean, but must return to the stream of their birth to spawn.

Rainbow trout survive on insects, crustaceans, and small fish. Their populations are healthy worldwide and they have no special status or protections. However, they are now considered a non-native pest species in some areas where they have been introduced.

Fast Facts

Type:

Fish

Diet:

Carnivore

Average life span in the wild:

4 to 6 years

Size:

20 to 30 in (51 to 76 cm)

Weight:

8 lbs (3.6 kg)

Group name:

Hover

Did you know?

The largest rainbow trout on record weighed 57 lbs (25.8 kg) and was estimated to be 11 years old.