Hensley Lake
- Size
- About 1,500 acres
- Operator
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Uses
- Boating, waterskiing, swimming, fishing
- Water level
- Highest in spring, low by mid-summer
.jpg?width=1280 "Photo: formulanone, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons")
- Boat launch
- Swimming
- Fishing
- Camping
About this lake
Hensley Lake is a 1,500-acre Army Corps of Engineers lake behind Hidden Dam on the Fresno River, about 17 miles northeast of Madera, with over 20 miles of shoreline.
On the water
Boating, waterskiing, swimming and fishing are the main uses. Coves hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish, and rainbow trout are stocked each winter. The lake feeds the Madera irrigation system, so water is highest in spring and can be quite low by mid-summer. Across the lake are a swim beach, a disc golf course and trails. California requires a Mussel Fee Sticker on boats used in fresh water.
Camping
Hidden View Campground has 53 sites, some with electric hookups, all within walking distance of the lake and boat ramp; reserve on Recreation.gov. The gate closes from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Extra vehicles park at the boat ramp for a $10 day-use fee.
Getting there & access
Getting there
Hensley Lake is 17 miles northeast of Madera on County Road 400.
Mussel sticker
Registered boats used in fresh water need a current California Mussel Fee Sticker. Arrive clean, drained and dry.
- Hidden View
- 53 sites, gate closed 10 p.m.-6 a.m.
- Park office
- (559) 673-5151
What's here
Launch
Boat ramp near Hidden View Campground
Swimming
Swim beach
Fishing
Bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish; winter trout
Camping
Hidden View Campground, 53 sites
Trails
Hiking, biking and equestrian trail
Rules & official resources
- California Boater Card required for all operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, since January 1, 2025dbw.parks.ca.gov ↗
- Hidden View gate closes 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.; extra vehicles park at the boat ramp for a $10 day-use fee; 8 people per siterecreation.gov ↗
- Registered boats used in fresh water must display a current Mussel Fee Sticker on the hull next to the registration stickerdbw.parks.ca.gov ↗
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