Fishing Old Pipe Lake in Fresno County, California

• Overview

  Old Pipe Lake is listed under Fresno County, California. This is open valley country. At 5 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. The closest town, Yokuts Valley, is 30 miles distant. For a city, Clovis is 49 miles off. Within a short run: Halfmoon Lake lies 1.3 miles on, Woodchuck Lake 1.5 miles off, Crown Lake lies 2.2 miles on, Marsh Lake 2.4 miles off and Chimney Lake lies 2.7 miles on. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Old Pipe Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Fresno County records list brown trout, brook trout and rainbow trout among the fish reported. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. On Old Pipe Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical August readings run about 56°F; by February the average is down near 25°F. The freeze here is occasional rather than annual. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. It sets the rhythm of the year at Old Pipe Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. For a change of water, Halfmoon Lake is 1.3 miles distant. Check the position on Old Pipe Lake before loading the car.