North Fork Kings River

Suggested Flies for North Fork Kings area:
Western Sierra Hatch Selection

Other Local Favorites:

Stillwater Flies:
Mohair Leech #8-10
Woolly Bugger, Brown and Olive #8-10
Olive Matuka #8-10

Dry Flies:
Parachute Adams #16-18
Olive Caddis #16-18
Yellow Humpy #14
Black Gnat #14-16
Chernobyl Ant #10-12
Mosquito #14-18

Nymph Flies:
Pheasant Tail Nymph #12-14
Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear #14-18
Prince Nymph #14-16

Directions:

From Fresno, take Highway 168 east 51 miles to Dinkey Creek Road. Turn east and drive 12 miles to McKinley Grove Road. Turn east and continue 14 miles bearing to the left at the Wishon turnoff, another three miles.

Notes:
The North Fork of the Kings River flows out of Wishon Reservoir. You can reach this area by parking below the dam and have some good fishing for both Rainbows and Browns. The river is a series of deep pools upon a granite substrate. There is about 1.5 miles of access until the river flows into a steep gorge below Cliff Bridge. The water flow out of Wishon is minimal since most of the river is diverted from the reservoir into the Haas tunnel. This tunnel extends for 6 miles and flows down to the underground Haas powerhouse near Black Rock Reservoir. The water leaving the powerhouse then flows into the Black Rock Reservoir. Rancheria Creek brings an ample flow to the NF Kings which runs into Black Rock Reservoir. Black Rock Reservoir is not large, only 33 acres, it serves as not only the afterbay to the Haas Powerhouse but also the forebay to the Balch Powerhouse three miles downstream. Black Rock Reservoir has excellent fishing for Rainbows and Browns but getting there can be a harrowing journey.

The Balch Powerhouse is one of the oldest hydro developments on the Kings River, originally completed in 1927 by San Joaquin Light & Power, a predecessor of Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). It was only after the Balch Powerhouse was incorporated into PG&E's system that plans were finalized for the Haas Powerhouse, which was completed in 1959. Construction on the big storage dams at Wishon and Courtright Reservoir were completed in 1962.

Dinky Creek can be reached from Muley Hole and from Ross Crossing. The creek has a number of deep pools carved into the granite rock basin. The creek contains both wild browns and rainbows most in the 8-10 inch class. The area is popular with bathers looking for swimming holes but a little excursion downstream will provide fishing opportunities. Above Muley Hole, at the community of Dinky Creek, CDFW stocks the creek with Rainbows every week during the early part of the season while the water is still at good temperatures for trout.

Fishing Regulations

North Fork Kings River (within Sierra National Forest):

From the last Saturday in April through November 15, five trout daily bag limit, 10 trout in possession; and, from November 16 through the Friday preceding the last Saturday in April, 0 trout bag limit, artificial lures with barbless hooks only and trout must be released unharmed and not removed from the water.

Other streams and creeks:

From the last Saturday in April through November 15, five trout daily bag limit, 10 trout in possession; and, from November 16 through the Friday preceding the last Saturday in April, 0 trout bag limit, artificial lures with barbless hooks only and trout must be released unharmed and not removed from the water.

Other Lakes within this area:

Open all year. No restrictions. 5 trout per day. 10 trout in possession.