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Pinto Lake

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

California, United States

4.4·4007 catches

Top fish species at Pinto Lake

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Pinto Lake fishing reports

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Largemouth bass

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

length · weight

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Spotted bass

length · weight

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Bluegill

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Largemouth bass

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General info

Pinto Lake is a lake located in Santa Cruz County, California, United States. It is most popular for fishing Largemouth bass, Black crappie, and Bluegill.

Location

36°57′23.8″N 121°46′23.7″W
Directions

Amenities

When are Largemouth Bass biting on Pinto Lake?

Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at Pinto Lake. Download Fishbrain today to look for new fishing spots, scout new fishing access, or prep for your next trip.

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Fishing regulations at Pinto Lake, CA

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in California can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

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Local laws and licenses

California fishing license

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Reviews of Pinto Lake

4.4
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71 ratings

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Cities nearby

Watsonville

2.5 miles away

Day Valley

6.6 miles away

Moss Landing

10.7 miles away

Gilroy

10.9 miles away

Live Oak

11.6 miles away

Prunedale

12.2 miles away

Morgan Hill

14.2 miles away

Santa Cruz

14.5 miles away

Scotts Valley

14.8 miles away

San Juan Bautista

15.2 miles away

Marina

19.0 miles away

Salinas

20.1 miles away

Brookdale

21.3 miles away

Los Gatos

21.4 miles away

Hollister

21.9 miles away

Boulder Creek

23.0 miles away

Seaside

23.2 miles away

Davenport

23.3 miles away

San Jose

24.2 miles away

Campbell

24.5 miles away

Pacific Grove

24.8 miles away

Saratoga

25.7 miles away

Monterey

25.9 miles away

Carmel Valley Village

32.9 miles away

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FAQ about Pinto Lake fishing

📍 Where is Pinto Lake located?
Pinto Lake is a lake located in Santa Cruz County, California, United States. Its coordinates are:
36°57′23.8″N 121°46′23.7″W
.
🎣 Where on Pinto Lake is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Pinto Lake by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in Pinto Lake?
The most common species in Pinto Lake are:
📢 What are the latest Pinto Lake fishing reports?
The latest Pinto Lake fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Pinto Lake right now?
According to fishing regulations at Pinto Lake, some of the species in season this June include: Chinook salmon, Lingcod, Pacific halibut, Cabezon, and Copper rockfish. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at Pinto Lake?

Fishing in California requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Options include daily, annual, or combination licenses for residents and non-residents, purchasable online or at sporting goods stores.

In California, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16. There is no universal senior exemption. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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