Coarsegold has one or two small streams, but the trout are few and very small—and the surrounding land is mostly private. During high flows, Coarse Gold Creek (or Gulch), the town's namesake, has small runs of panfish and trout in its lower reaches. So does the Fresno River. Again, no trespassing!

To find a trout stream, you'll have to do some driving. Don't worry, we'll provide some good links to outside areas just below.

The Indian Lakes Estates and Yosemite Lakes Park subdivisions have a number of small "lakes" with breeding populations of bass and panfish. Use of these lakes is limited to residents or guests accompanied by residents—and, believe us, these restrictions are backed up by law enforcement. YLP has its own security guards, and ILE has the right to summon deputies to ticket and/or eject trespassers.

Some of these ponds contain bass in the five-pound range, and panfish are often plentiful. Spring is the best time to fish YLP and ILE. Catch-and-release is advised. When conditions are very dry, these ponds sometimes dry up.

Small reservoirs dot the foothills and mountains all around Coarsegold. These are used to water livestock, enhance wildlife protection or simply to create a fun place to swim or fish. All are located on private ranches, and you will need to do a little detective work to find an owner or caretaker's phone number to ask permission to fish a farm pond. Otherwise, you're trespassing. You might try asking around at businesses in Coarsegold, Oakhurst, or North Fork that sell hardware, sporting gear, or feed. Believe it or not, some ranch owners want fishermen to thin fish populations for the health of their ponds and the creation of better fisheries. But Coarsegold people value their privacy, so it's best to get a phone number rather than paying somebody an unwelcome visit.

To find good lake fishing, you'll have to do a little driving. Don't worry, we'll provide some good links below.