Cross Creek is a River located in Kings County, CA. Starting in Visalia, CA the Cross Creek flows 32 miles through Hanford, CA before ending in Waukena, CA. The Cross Creek rises to an elevation of 207 feet. Find maps, fishing guides, weather and recreation information at Guidesly.

About Cross Creek, CA

Cross Creek is a 0.9 mile-long stream located in Kings County, California. It can be found 4.8 miles from Corcoran and is divided into three parts - its East Branch, West Branch, and Middle Branch. Its East Branch, which has an elevation of 256 feet, is near Hanford, Home Garden, Remnoy, and Tulare. It is also situated around the Tulare Basin, an endorheic basin, where its waters eventually lead to Tulare Lake.

The 1861 to 1862 flood created the St. John's River. Downstream at that river’s southward turn, it was called Cross Creek, which got water from Cottonwood Creek and Sand Creek. Further downstream, the creek was joined by the two branches of Mill Creek, integrating its water and sediment with those of Kings River’s old high-water delta channels. The St. John's River turns into Cross Creek about 2 miles east of Highway 99 where it veers to the southwest and is joined by Cottonwood Creek. The flow of the stream can also be redirected into the Corcoran Reservoir. In 1983, by the order of the Kings County Board of Supervisors pursuant to the Flood Control and Floodwater Conservation District Law, the Cross Creek Flood Control District was established. This is because the Tulare Lakebed and surrounding areas, including the stream, were previously prone to severe flooding.

All About Fishing in Cross Creek, CA

Cross Creek’s East Branch is home to freshwater species with bass (spotted and largemouth) and common carp being the most commonly found. Its watershed also houses bigscale logperch, bullhead (black and brown), crappie (black and white), catfish (channel and white), bluegill, coastal rainbow trout, golden shiner, goldfish, sunfish (green and redear), hardhead, Sacramento blackfish, Sacramento hitch, Sacramento pikeminnow, Sacramento perch, Sacramento splittail, Sacramento sucker, thicktail chub, threadfin shad, and western mosquitofish. The Middle Branch of Cross Creek hosts the same species with the addition of Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon, which is listed as a threatened species. Species such as salmon or steelhead may no longer be found upstream of dams that lack passage for fish. Most of the listed species can be found in the stream’s low-level water areas and backwaters.

Anglers who’ve had the chance to fish at the stream would often opt to do some fly fishing, spinning as well as baitcasting there. The stream’s East Branch is the preferred area for anglers due to its accessibility and proximity to other nearby fishing spots in Corcoran, which offers 110 options of rivers, streams, and creeks within 50km. Offshore fishing is commonplace with some areas allowing boat access. It’s advisable to look up the state’s fishing regulations as there may be limits to catch certain species per day.

Fishing Seasonality

The best period to catch bass in Cross Creek is between March to May, where they mostly go to shallow and protected areas to spawn. Common carp spawn when water temperatures exceed 15°C in spring and early summer. Spring is also the best time to fish for crappie in California. Trout is available throughout the year in the state, with April through to November being the best times to snag them. Bluegill season starts from May or June and they may spawn all summer, resulting in the species overpopulating. The species can be found in shallow water, preferring a gravel base. Catfish spawn between April and August while sunfish mate between May and August, with the most prolific time between May and June.

Fishing Seasonality

The best period to catch bass in Cross Creek is between March to May, where they mostly go to shallow and protected areas to spawn. Common carp spawn when water temperatures exceed 15°C in spring and early summer. Spring is also the best time to fish for crappie in California. Trout is available throughout the year in the state, with April through to November being the best times to snag them. Bluegill season starts from May or June and they may spawn all summer, resulting in the species overpopulating. The species can be found in shallow water, preferring a gravel base. Catfish spawn between April and August while sunfish mate between May and August, with the most prolific time between May and June.

All About Fishing in Cross Creek, CA

Cross Creek’s East Branch is home to freshwater species with bass (spotted and largemouth) and common carp being the most commonly found. Its watershed also houses bigscale logperch, bullhead (black and brown), crappie (black and white), catfish (channel and white), bluegill, coastal rainbow trout, golden shiner, goldfish, sunfish (green and redear), hardhead, Sacramento blackfish, Sacramento hitch, Sacramento pikeminnow, Sacramento perch, Sacramento splittail, Sacramento sucker, thicktail chub, threadfin shad, and western mosquitofish. The Middle Branch of Cross Creek hosts the same species with the addition of Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon, which is listed as a threatened species. Species such as salmon or steelhead may no longer be found upstream of dams that lack passage for fish. Most of the listed species can be found in the stream’s low-level water areas and backwaters.

Anglers who’ve had the chance to fish at the stream would often opt to do some fly fishing, spinning as well as baitcasting there. The stream’s East Branch is the preferred area for anglers due to its accessibility and proximity to other nearby fishing spots in Corcoran, which offers 110 options of rivers, streams, and creeks within 50km. Offshore fishing is commonplace with some areas allowing boat access. It’s advisable to look up the state’s fishing regulations as there may be limits to catch certain species per day.