Lake Size: 4,900 Acres Shoreline Length (Miles): 40 miles Deepest Depth: 319 feet Latitude: 37.0425 Longitude: -119.6545 Lake Level Above Sea Level: 561 feet (171 m) Counties: Fresno and Madera County Cities: Friant Lake Management: US Bureau of Reclamation
Information: Millerton Lake is an artificial lake near the town of Friant about 15 mi (24 km) north of downtown Fresno. The reservoir was created by the construction of Friant Dam on the San Joaquin River which with the lake serves as much of the county line between Fresno County to the south and Madera County to the north.
Part of the Central Valley Project, the dam was built by the United States Bureau of Reclamation and was completed in 1942. The lake stores water for irrigation, which is distributed by the Madera and Friant-Kern Canals to the San Joaquin Valley. It has a capacity of 520,528 acre·ft (642,062 dam³). Secondary uses include flood control and recreation, including swimming, fishing, water skiing and camping. A 25 MW hydroelectric plant operated by the Friant Power Authority produces electricity from large releases and two smaller plants use water released for a fish hatchery and to maintain minimum-flow in the river.
Prior to the construction of Friant Dam, the current lake bed was the site of the town of Millerton, the first county seat of Fresno County.
Boating
Fishing
Business
Miscellaneous Info
Millerton Lake is nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, approximately 15 miles east of Fresno, CA. With over 40 miles of shore land for water sports, this SRA offers visitors swimming, fishing, and boating. The hills surrounding the lake provide good hiking opportunities. Wildlife in the park includes ground squirrels, cottontails, mule deer, badgers and bald and golden eagles. During winter, the park has special boat tours to view the bald eagles.
Reclamation is assisting the State Parks and Recreation to develop the San Joaquin trail that will allow hiking, equestrian, and bike access through the park and join the historic trail leading up the San Joaquin River. Numerous camping facilities, ranging from primitive sites to RV hookups are available. Call the park or 1-800-444-PARK for reservations. For boating enthusiasts, the lake offers a marina for long term docking as well as day use boat ramps. Good fishing for bass, catfish, crappie, and trout. The historic Millerton Courthouse, once the seat of Fresno County, has been restored and contains interpretive exhibits about the area's local history. The courthouse was salvaged from the town of Millerton when it was inundated by Lake Millerton, and reconstructed on the shore at Mariner's Point.
Location: SH 41 about 15 mi N of Fresno CA
Contact: 559-822-2225
Regulations:
Fishing regulations change annually, check in the California Sport Fishing Regulations for current changes.
Trout: Open season all year. Limit: five
Bass: Open season all year. Limit: five bass. Slot Limit: none between 12 and 15 inches
Striped Bass: Open season all year. Limit: two. Minimum Size: 18"
Crappie: Open season all year. Limit: twenty-five
Catfish: Open season all year. Limit: no limit
Bluegill: Open season all year. Limit: no limit
Trout: (rainbow, brown)
A number of rainbow and brown trout are caught in the upper portions of the lake, but not on a consistent basis. Rainbow trout are caught on a consistent basis below Friant Dam in the San Joaquin River.
Angler's will find the trout in the top twenty feet of water during the winter months and through the early spring. Trollers do best this time of year pulling minnow-imitating lures (Speedy Shiners, Rapalas, Needlefish, Kastmasters). Bank fishermen often use Berkley Power Bait or nightcrawlers.
Starting in late spring and right on through the summer, the fish move deep. A couple of techniques for these deep fish is to troll nightcrawlers behind flashers, or use Needlefish, Triple Teasers, and Rapalas in 35 to 50 of water.
Bass: (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted)
There is a good population of black bass with the spotted bass being the most often caught. During the cooler months, anglers should use Power Worms, Green Weenies, and other plastic worms in 10 to 25 feet off the rocky points. Early spring, fishermen try plastic worms, grubs, and spinnerbaits along the rocky banks.
In the summer, the bass get a little tougher to catch but top-water baits like the Pop R's and Zara-Spooks will find fish in the early morning and late evening hours. Fishing crawdads, crickets, and nightcrawlers will also entice bass into feeding.
Fall months put the bass back into a springtime type pattern, except the fishing is at its best after dark. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits and top-water lures are most productive.
Striper:
Millerton Lake kicks out some good size stripers and in good numbers. There are reports of striper being caught up to 55 pounds. During the cooler months the bite isn't as consistent, but soaking anchovies or trolling jumbo minnows in the Finegold area can be productive.
As the water temperture warms, look for striper early in the mornings, near the surface. During the warmer months the striper are aggressively feeding on shad. Anglers using lures such as Hair Raisers, Rebels, and Pop-R's around the boat launch and near the lakes head waters, often have good success.
Crappie:
The crappie fishing starts picking up in April, usually in the coves for experienced boaters fishing both day and night. Anglers use both small minnows and red/white mini-jigs in 10 to 18 feet of water around submerged structures. As the water warms, look for crappie in the backs of the coves where there is underwater structure.
Catfish:
You'll find catfish, after the water warms up. Use chicken livers, nightcrawlers, clams, and other cut bait in the coves. Fishing at night is the best time since the cats do most of thier feeding during the evening hours.
Bluegill:
For bluegill, anglers should try fishing in coves, along muddy banks, and also where the crappie are located, with mini crawlers and mealworms. Spring and summer are usually the best months for the bluegill.
With over 40 miles of shore land for water sports, this SRA offers visitors swimming, fishing, and boating. The hills surrounding the lake provide good hiking opportunities. Wildlife in the park includes ground squirrels, cottontails, mule deer, badgers and bald and golden eagles. During winter, the park has special boat tours to view the bald eagles.
The lake was created by construction of the Friant Dam across the San Joaquin River in 1944. The park’s camping facilities include boat camping. The park contains the original Millerton County Courthouse, built in 1867.
Location - Directions
The area is 20 miles northeast of Fresno via Highway 41 and Highway 145.
Seasons/Climate/Recommended clothing
The weather can be changeable; layered clothing is recommended.
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