Photo of South Fork San Joaquin River, Fresno County, CA

South Fork
San Joaquin River Fishing

Fresno County


South Fork San Joaquin River Fishing

John Muir Wilderness - Fresno County

Map

The 11 miles of the South Fork of the San Joaquin River above Florence Lake offer long stretches of excellent fishing. In many places the river is easily accessed from the John Muir/Pacific Crest Trail which parallels the river.

Reaching the upper San Joaquin River is best done as a backpacking trip, although lower portions of the river could be reached as a day outing using Florence Lake as a base and taking advantage of the Florence Lake water taxi.

The lush meadow and spectacular peaks of north of Kings Canyon National Park provide a scenic backdrop. The trail along the upper South Fork of the San Joaquin River is popular with hikers, since it connects with the John Muir Trail, but the river is not heavily fished.

Two anglers on the San Joaquin River, Fresno County, California

Fishing the San Joaquin River

Nearby Featured Trips in Fresno County


San Joaquin River, Fresno County, California

San Joaquin River


In My Creel

  • #12 Joe's Hopper
  • #14 Light Cahill
  • #16 Red Quill
  • #16 Adams Irresistible
  • salmon eggs
  • Berkley Power Bait
  • 1/8 oz. Blue Fox Vibrax spinner

Fly fishing is excellent along the San Joaquin River. Bait and lures can also bring good success. Unsure of the conditions I would find, I put a variety of flies, baits, and lures in my backpack:

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Recommended Books, Lures, and Flies for Fishing the San Joaquin River





San Joaquin River, Fresno County, California

San Joaquin River

Fishing Supplies

On your way to Florence Lake and the San Joaquin River, you can pick up fishing tackle at the following places:

  • Fisherman's Warehouse, 4320 W. Shaw Ave, Fresno
  • California Bait and Tackle, 4516 E. Belmont Ave, Fresno
  • Valley Rod and Gun, 2704 Clovis Ave., Clovis
  • Friant Trading Post, 17142 N. Friant, Friant
  • Sierra Anglers, 700 McHenry Ave., Modesto
  • Shaver Lake Marina, Shaver Lake

Making Your Way to the South Fork

Be prepared for a long, twisty drive on a narrow road to reach Florence Lake. From the Fresno area allow yourself three hours to drive east through Prather, past Shaver Lake and Huntington Lake, and on over 9000' Kaiser Pass to Florence Lake. (Fill your gas tank in the foothills or at Shaver Lake. From Prather to Florence Lake is about 60 miles.) The road may be closed by snow into the early summer.

At Florence Lake you will find a small store, boat ramp, and ferry. For about $28 round-trip you can ride the ferry to the south end of the lake, saving yourself 4 miles of hiking. A trail up the ridge connects with the main hiking trail after half a mile. You could follow that trail to the right down to the San Joaquin River if you wish to start fishing right away and work your way up the river bank. This would make a great day trip if you are camped near the north end of Florence Lake.

For backpackers, turn left at the trail junction, heading toward Kings Canyon. The trail intertwines with the Muir Trail Ranch 4-wheel-drive road. Stick to the trail whenever you can because the two eventually separate. 2 miles from the ferry you will pass through Double Meadow. There the trail is almost a mile north of the San Joaquin River, bypassing the privately owned Blayney Meadows and Muir Trail Ranch (a guest ranch) between miles 3 and 4½.

At Alder Creek, just before Blayney Meadow, you could cut down to the San Joaquin River only a quarter mile away at that point. Fish your way downstream from there. Otherwise, continue on the trail parallel to the San Joaquin River, avoiding lateral trails leading up to Selden Pass. (You might want to stop at the public hot springs just beyond Muir Trail Ranch, however, for a soak.)

Photo of Patrick Kinkade and trout caught in S. Fork San Joaquin River, Fresno County, CA

Trout caught by Patrick Kinkade, summer 2022, on South Fork of San Joaquin River, upstream from Muir Trail Ranch.

Between miles 6 and 7½ (Piute Creek) the San Joaquin River is out of sight from the trail, but the open forests there allow an easy quarter-mile walk down to its bank. Along the way watch for the John Muir cabin just off the trail. Once the trail passes Piute Creek at mile 7½ the trail is much closer to the river. Good fishing spots appear almost at once and continue all the way up to the beginning of Goddard Canyon at mile 10.8.

High Sierra Trails

Evolution Valley, Kings Canyon National Park, California

Evolution Valley,
Kings Canyon National Park

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Lodging and Camping

Lodging is available at nearby Muir Trail Ranch (right on the San Joaquin River), Vermilion Valley Resort (at Lake Edison), and Mono Hot Springs Resort. Plentiful accommodations, including vacation cabin rentals, can also be found at Huntington Lake and Shaver Lake.

Several campgrounds are located in the area. Right by Florence Lake is Jackass Meadows campground. Others include nearby Mono Creek, Mono Hot Springs, Ward Lake, and Bolsillo. More can be found along the way back to Huntington Lake.

California's Best Camping

For complete information about more campgrounds around Huntington and Shaver lakes, see

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