Old Town Clovis along Pollasky Avenue at golden hour

Outdoors

Fishing near Clovis

Lakes, rivers and recreation areas near Clovis where fishing is allowed, closest first.

20places to fish
12 mito the closest
8within 30 miles

Good to know: Anyone 16 or older generally needs a state fishing license; seasons, limits and special rules vary by water. California license information ↗

Closest picks

1

Millerton Lake

12 mi north · Bureau of Reclamation

Friant Dam on the San Joaquin River, forms Millerton Lake. The dam and lake are features of the Central Valley Project - Friant Division .

2

San Joaquin River Gorge Special Recreation Management Area

20 mi northeast · Bureau of Reclamation

The San Joaquin River Gorge SRMA is located at the upper portion of Millerton Lake and is accessed through the town of Auberry, CA. The area is managed by Bureau of Land Management (BLM) with trail heads for the San Joaquin trail.

3

Pine Flat Lake

21 mi east · US Army Corps of Engineers

Less than an hour east of Fresno in the Sierra and Sequoia National Forests. The scenic and rugged Kings River Canyon is the location of this beautiful park where fishing, boating, and waterskiing are all available.

Map of all 20 places

Map of 20 places loads as you scroll.

Within 30 miles (8)

12 mi north · Bureau of Reclamation

Millerton Lake

Friant Dam on the San Joaquin River, forms Millerton Lake. The dam and lake are features of the Central Valley Project - Friant Division .

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Climbing
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • History
  • Horseback riding

20 mi northeast · Bureau of Reclamation

San Joaquin River Gorge Special Recreation Management Area

The San Joaquin River Gorge SRMA is located at the upper portion of Millerton Lake and is accessed through the town of Auberry, CA. The area is managed by Bureau of Land Management (BLM) with trail heads for the San Joaquin trail.

  • Biking
  • Camping
  • Climbing
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • History
  • Picnicking
  • Ranger programs

21 mi east · US Army Corps of Engineers

Pine Flat Lake

Less than an hour east of Fresno in the Sierra and Sequoia National Forests. The scenic and rugged Kings River Canyon is the location of this beautiful park where fishing, boating, and waterskiing are all available.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Picnicking
  • Water sports
  • Wildlife viewing

22 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers

Hensley Lake

Less than an hour drive northeast of Fresno in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada enroute to Yosemite National Park. Lake activities include water skiing, fishing, swimming, horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, and camping.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Nature education
  • Picnicking
  • Water sports
  • Wildlife viewing

22 mi east · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Island Park

Island Park Recreation Area is the place to go for campers looking for lots of exciting water activities at Pine Flat Lake. The area has plenty of campsites plus two group sites and a day-use area for boaters.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Water sports

23 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Buck Ridge

Buck Ridge group day-use pavillion is located within the Buck Ridge Recreation Area at Hidden Dam, Hensley Lake.

  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Horseback riding
  • Hunting
  • Mountain Biking
  • Picnicking
  • Swimming

23 mi east · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Trimmer Campground

Trimmer Campground is a small facility on the shore of Pine Flat Lake in central California. Pine Flat Lake spans 20 miles in length and boasts 67 miles of shoreline.

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Hunting
  • Swimming
  • Water sports

29 mi northeast · USDA Forest Service · Campground

Dorabelle Campground

Dorabelle Campground is a popular family camping destination above Shaver Lake. Some sites are shaded by a thick stand of fir, cedar and pine trees, while other sites are more open.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Swimming
  • Water sports

30 to 75 miles (12)

31 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Codorniz Campground

This recreation area is part of Eastman Lake

  • Camping
  • Fishing

31 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Codorniz Recreation Area Campground

Codorniz Campground on H.V. Eastman Lake is a perfect launchpad for activities like fishing, canoeing, birding and hiking.

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Hunting
  • Ranger programs
  • Swimming

31 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers

Eastman Lake

Just one hour north of Fresno in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Rolling oak-covered hills provide a scenic and restful setting for fishing, boating, and hiking.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Nature education
  • Picnicking
  • Water sports
  • Wildlife viewing

31 mi east · USDA Forest Service · Campground

Kirch Flat Group Campground

At approximately 1,000 feet in elevation, Kirch Flat Campground resides on a large flat area on the river’s edge of the scenic Kings River and is surrounded by rolling, oak-covered foothills and spectacular river canyon and mountain views…

  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Swimming
  • Water Access

32 mi east · USDA Forest Service · Campground

Camp Four And Half Cabin

Camp Four and a Half Cabin is located along the Kings River above Pine Flat Reservoir at an elevation of 1,100 feet in Sequoia National Forest.

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • History
  • Hunting
  • Off Highway Vehicle Trails

32 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Chowchilla Recreation Area Day Use

Chowchilla Recreation Day Use Area is located at the beautiful Eastman Lake, surrounded by rugged oak-covered hills. Visitors take advantage of this scenic setting for fishing, boating and hiking.

  • Biking
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Swimming

36 mi north · Bureau of Land Management

Fresno River Recreation Area

Located in the Historic Grub Gulch Mining District and site of a portion of the historic Sugarpine-Madera Flume, this site features access to the Fresno River.

  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Photography
  • Wildlife viewing

56 mi north · Bureau of Land Management

Merced River Recreation Management Area

The Merced River Recreation Management Area is a very special place just downstream from Yosemite. It is well known for excellent whitewater boating, wildflower viewing, camping, swimming, and recreational gold panning/prospecting.

  • Accessible Swimming
  • Biking
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Paddling
  • Photography
  • Picnicking

61 mi west · Bureau of Reclamation

Little Panoche Dam

Little Panoche Dam is a feature of the Central Valley Project - San Luis Unit . The area is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Access by foot only. Parking lot provided. Nearest main highway, I-5.

  • Fishing
  • Hunting
  • Picnicking
  • Wildlife viewing

62 mi east · National Park Service

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

Huge mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, vast caverns, and the world’s largest trees exemplify the diversity of landscapes, life, and beauty here.

  • Camping
  • Climbing
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Horse Camping
  • Horseback riding
  • Picnicking
  • Wildlife viewing

64 mi northeast · National Park Service

Devils Postpile National Monument

Established in 1911 by presidential proclamation, Devils Postpile National Monument protects and preserves the Devils Postpile formation, the 101-foot high Rainbow Falls, and pristine mountain scenery.

  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Wildlife viewing

65 mi west · Fish and Wildlife Service

San Luis National Wildlife Refuge

The San Luis National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 26,800 acres of wetlands, riparian woodlands, native grasslands, and vernal pools. A thriving population of endemic tule elk is showcased on one of three auto tour routes.

  • Birding
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Hunting
  • Photography
  • Picnicking
  • Wildlife viewing

Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Clovis. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.

Get outside around Clovis

Clovis, California: Gateway to Adventure and Old Town Charm! video thumbnail

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Clovis, California: Gateway to Adventure and Old Town Charm!

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Around Clovis

Old Town Clovis, California, Pollasky Ave, 2026
Old Town Clovis, California, Pollasky Ave, 2026Aaron T Harris · CC BY-SA 4.0
The building of Clovis Regional Library, a branch of Fresno County Public Library
Clovis Regional LibraryNeoBatfreak · CC BY-SA 4.0
CUSD Veterans Memorial Stadium, Clovis
CUSD Veterans Memorial StadiumAmbassador316 · CC BY-SA 4.0

More outdoors near Clovis

Questions

Where is the closest place for fishing near Clovis?

Millerton Lake (Bureau of Reclamation), about 12 miles north of Clovis as the crow flies. Next are San Joaquin River Gorge Special Recreation Management Area (20 mi) and Pine Flat Lake (21 mi).

Do I need a fishing license near Clovis?

Yes, anglers 16 and older generally need a California fishing license from the state wildlife agency. Rules, seasons and limits vary by water.

Who manages these places?

Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, USDA Forest Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.

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