Pinecrest Lake is a reservoir in California, near Tuolumne County.
Stocking records show that the following fish or strains were stocked here. A historical stocking does not by itself prove that a self-sustaining population remains today.
Pinecrest Lake is a reservoir in Tuolumne County, California and covers about 303.1 acres, reaches about 57 feet at its deepest point and holds roughly 7,429.5 acre-feet.
The best plan at Pinecrest Lake is to choose one arm or shoreline and work it from shallow cover to the first deep break. Deep water at Pinecrest Lake gives fish room to move away from shore as summer heat and bright light build.
Fish listed for Pinecrest Lake include Brook Trout.
Rainbow Trout have also been stocked here; that proves fish were released, but it does not promise that they are still common or easy to catch; keep one slow bait ready.
Start where two things meet: weeds and open water, rock and mud, a point and a drop, or clear water and dirty water; fish that edge at more than one depth before leaving it; start where bait gathers, then check the first shelf outside shallow cover.
Shallow water is worth a careful look in spring and again during fall; bright summer days favor shade, weeds, or deeper breaks; under ice, a small depth change can be more useful than a long move; use a small lure when bites are scarce, then keep the bait above soft bottom.
A light spinning rod, thin line, a few small spoons, inline spinners, and jigs cover the listed trout; carry one slightly heavier setup when other fish or windy water call for more control; use a smaller lure in clear water; use a light bait when the water is clear, then watch water color during the day.
Record the wind, water color, water depth at the strike, and cover after a bite; those four notes are more useful on the next trip than a long list of spots that did not produce; fish a small bottom change, then work the bottom where the bank turns steep.
Explore nearby waters, including local Featured destinations. Check each page for access and fishing restrictions.
Distances are straight-line estimates between mapped water locations.