Sitting in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, the city of Fresno, CA, is an excellent base to explore the sprawling nature reserves and fishing spots of the region. If you are searching for new destinations to take your family on an adventure in your 2022 Ford Maverick XLT, here are three great places you can reach in less than one hour by car.
1. Millerton Lake
A manmade body of water created with the construction of Friant Dam across the San Joaquin River in the 1940s, Millerton Lake is one of the most popular destinations among anglers from Fresno and other nearby towns and cities. Covering a surface area of almost 5,000 acres, this body of water is home to several different fish species including black bullhead, brown bullhead, brown trout, channel catfish, and bluegill.
Located about 15 miles north of the Fresno city center, Millerton Lake can be reached in just half an hour by car via routes CA-41 and CA-145. Besides the fishing piers, the Millerton Lake State Recreation Area features plenty of recreational facilities including a large family campground, boat ramps, a swimming beach, picnic shelters, and several miles of hiking and biking trails in the surrounding hills.
2. Pine Flat Lake
Formed by the construction of the Pine Flat Dam across the Kings River in 1954, Pine Flat Lake is another artificial reservoir designed primarily for irrigation and flood control purposes. Boasting a surface area of almost 6,000 acres, this body of water has become a popular recreational destination and a true paradise among water sports enthusiasts and anglers from the region.
Pine Flat Lake is located a little under 40 miles northeast of downtown Fresno and can be reached in about 45 minutes by car via route CA-180 and Trimmer Springs Road. Once you make your way here, you will find the best fishing areas around Edison Point Wildlife Area and the Island Park campground. Some of the species you can catch here include spotted bass, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, and bluegill.
3. Shaver Lake
Located 50 miles northeast of downtown Fresno, Shaver Lake is a well-known recreational destination that offers excellent fishing opportunities. Some of the species you can find here include smallmouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, channel catfish, rainbow trout, and kokanee salmon. Getting here takes about one hour by car via route CA-168, making it an easy day trip for Fresno residents.
Before you hit the road and explore these fantastic nature reserves with your family or a group of friends, visit us at Own a Car Fresno! Check out our latest vehicles, ask one of our agents about the custom financing plans we have available for you, and take home your favorite model.