WHERE’S THE LAKE?—Jared Smith from Parchers Resort and Sabrina Landing sent us this photo of the Lake Sabrina café and surrounding snowpack. Opening Day anglers can expect thick ice and no boats.
Those hardy trout hunters who hike into Mammoth Lakes will have to bring extensions for their ice augers, but the reward could be some of those trophy rainbows stocked over the past few years and now bigger than ever. Crowley at press time is still iffy. There is an incredible amount of ice covered in a deep blanket of snow. Pray for wind to break things up, allowing some boats on the water.
Waters in the June Loop will be a crapshoot. June Lake Marina and Silver Lake have already announced that ice and deep snow will keep rental boats off the water. You can expect a fringe of open water around the lake edges, and that could produce some epic fish.
Virginia Lakes will be iced over, and if the roads are open, there will be limited parking. Bridgeport Reservoir will have some open water and the marina campground should be open. Crews have been working diligently to get the Twin Lakes ready. The road will be open, a few camp spots available, but there may not be a lot of open water.
The bottom line is caution. Ice fishing is a blast, but it can also be deadly. Don’t venture out onto ice if you are not sure how solid it is. Check before you go.
Winter anglers have not had much to brag about the past few months. This was the winter from Hell with sub-zero temperatures, fierce winds, and a thick blanket of snow an ice nearly the whole season.
The Upper Owens has been inaccessible unless you have a snowmobile. Hot Creek was a difficult hike-in destination. Pleasant Valley Reservoir was muddy, and the access road washed out for the past several weeks.
The Lower Owens looked more like a lake as flow spilled over the normal channel. As far as fish reports have gone these final weeks of the winter season, there have been none.
In my 40-plus years of Sierra openers, I can never remember one like this. Those who are there, will have lots to talk about when sharing those exaggerated tales of the “Winter of ’23.”
But they will have a great time. Lots of adventure, good laughs, strong bonds of friendship or family, and maybe even some bragging fish to come home with. For those wishing they were there, the news is even better. In a nutshell, everything points to the 2023 general season being as spectacular as the winter of ‘23. That means lots of water, flushed creeks, and a prime season that extends well into the year, perhaps even into fall.
State hatchery fish are expected to about double from last year and private stocking of trophy rainbows from Idaho and Oregon will continue.
WON can’t be everywhere on opening weekend, so send up those great pictures of your catch, or postcard scenes of your great fishing hole. Include angler’s name, location of the photo and bait and weight information if you have it. Send your photos to Ernie@packtrain.com
