BY ERNIE COWAN
MAMMOTH LAKES— Opening day of trout season in the Eastern Sierra is a fine line between a fishing trip and a great family reunion.
Many of the anglers who flock to the High Country come with generations of family and friends because it’s a tradition and they don’t really care what Nature has in store.
That being said, there is always the outsized anticipation that a personal best trout or maybe even a new record fish will be landed, but in the end, it’s the glory of the mountains, the challenge of the weather and the warmth of family and friends that really bring young, old and in between together to celebrate Fishmas.
That happened in 2021, when Marsha Bock, a June Lake resident, hauled in an 11.94-pound brown from June Lake to earn the IGFA world record for a woman using 8-pound line.
WON reached out to those who know best, and the consensus is that opening weekend this year has the potential of being a great one.
First, let’s deal with conditions.,
Southern California residents have been bombarded with news about the drought. That’s because there has not been much rain in urban areas, but the Sierra has seen a third year with above normal snowfall and that’s good news for trout hunters.
Additionally, because of this, Southern California has a record amount of water stored in reservoirs and that is also good for local anglers.
And good water needs lots of fish and all signs point to good numbers of both DFW and trophy rainbows keeping Sierra waters filled with both quality and quantity of hungry trout. Add to that the boatloads of big rainbows stocked in the final weeks of last season that were not caught and you have what it takes to keep lines tight on opening weekend.
Water condition, fish and weather are the three elements of opening weekend. While we have a pretty good idea about the first two, weather is always anybody’s guess, and veterans will tell you to just come prepared for anything.
It’s not uncommon be greeted opening morning with a snowstorm, followed by shirtsleeve weather in the afternoon, or the other way around.
So, here’s a look at the hot spots and what Fishmas Day anglers can expect when the sun rises on trout season 2025.
Overall, it was a relatively warm winter in the high country, but the storm that rolled in did drop plenty of snow to maintain the snowpack that will keep streams flowing all season long.
Nick Lara at Mac’s Sporting Goods in Bishop said the warmer winter means most of the lower elevation lakes will be ice free, unless a major cold front hits just before the opener.
Ice fishing is often an opening day bonus at South Lake and Lake Sabrina, but that could be iffy at Sabrina if warm weather thins ice to dangerous levels.
“If there is ice, the thaw won’t be far off and once that ice breaks, it’s time to bring out the big rip baits and large spoons as the browns hunt shallow,” Lara said.
The forks of Bishop Creek and open water around the fringes of Lake Sabrina are always productive for opening day anglers, and don’t overlook Intake II or the Power Plant ponds downstream.
Opening day conditions on the Lower Owens will depend on late storms.
“Conditions of the river totally depend on storm run-off, or if it get really hot and DWP has to release water,” Lara said.
If flows remain down, look for the Lower O to fish very well for all species since anglers who will have the ability to wade to hidden pools holding fish.
Pleasant Valley Reservoir should be an excellent opening day destination since it was well stocked with trophy rainbows for the March 22 Balke Jones Derby.
Mammoth Lakes is always a major draw for opening weekend, offering the big water of Crowley Lake, Convict Lake and the variety of Mammoth Lakes Basin waters.
Crowley Lake is one of the biggest draws opening weekend and Marshall Smith at Rick’s Sports Center said this year could be excellent there. Wind can sometimes be an issue at Crowley, but with the lake not freezing it means trout have been feeding and will be more active.
Convict Lake is also ice free and will be filled with both holdover over trophy rainbows and newly planted fish. Anglers willing to hike to the inlet at the back of the lake are often rewarded with some bigger fish.
At press time, Smith reported the lakes in Mammoth Basin are still frozen but check before heading out.
“It’s been a warmer-than-normal spring and we could see basin lakes opening earlier than usual,” Smith said.
The four lakes in June Lake Loop always draw a huge opening weekend crowd, and heavy stocking and the lack of ice should contribute to a wild opening weekend bite.
Jeremy Ross at Ernie’s Tackle said all lakes are ice free, and most have had no or little winter ice. This means fish should be active and feeding as eager opening weekend anglers toss a variety of offerings.
Loop lakes will also be well stocked, including DFW rainbows, 1- to 3-pound fish purchased by local landings and the monster rainbows, thanks to the June Lake Trophy Trout Program.
The Loop will also be hosting the annual opening day Monster Trout Derby at Ernie’s Tackle. Fish can be weighed in any of the loop landings or at Ernie’s by 6 p.m. opening day.
Wayne Beaver at Beaver’s Sporting Goods in Lee Vining said Lundy Lake is still frozen, and the resort is not expected to be operating for opening weekend.
“There are lots of holdover fish, so if the ice does break up, it could be a good place to fish opening weekend,” Beaver said.
He also said there are plans to have the Lower Lee Vining Campground open for Fishmas.
No report on conditions as Virginia Lakes, but that area will likely be locked in ice and services not available until several weeks after opening weekend.
Bridgeport area waters are also a big opening weekend draw, with Bridgeport Reservoir, the East Walker River, the Twin Lakes and local streams offering a wide variety of opportunity.
Bridgeport Reservoir is ice free and should be well stocked with Bridgeport Fish Enhancement Foundation rainbows for opening weekend. Boat rentals will be available.
Upper and Lower Twin Lakes are both ice free and will be fully operational on opening weekend.
“I think the opener is looking great as long as the wind doesn’t show up,” said Austin Byers of Mono Village on Upper Twin Lake. “Last fishing season closed out strong, so hopefully that carries over into the 2025 season.”
Mono Village at Upper Twin Lake is hosting an opening weekend derby for the heaviest fish caught.
Anglers can sign up for $10 and the winner earns a $250 cash prize.
