BY ERNIE COWAN
Mammoth Lakes—Maybe the fish know it’s a big weekend coming up and that’s why the trout bite has come alive in the Eastern Sierra.
It’s a holiday weekend with Labor Day crowds flocking to the High Country, many looking to score a personal best catch during their last visit of the year.
Or maybe it’s the change in weather that saw an early snowfall dusting the granite peaks of the Sierra last week, chilling mountain waters and sending the signal that autumn is coming.
For whatever reason, Sierra trout have come alive and anglers have been filling limits with some bigger fish, thanks to the stocking efforts of local programs and the funding from Inyo and Mono counties.
Lakes have been stocked with trophy rainbows and DFW fish throughout the season, so there are plenty of fish out there, and now is the time they become active.
This is a good time to be in the Sierra, and veteran anglers will tell you that it only gets better between now and the general season end that comes at sunset on Nov. 15.
The upper elevation lakes are the most productive right now because of cooler evening temperatures, but it appears that trout have gotten the signal that fall is on the way and anglers working deeper waters are have success just about everywhere.
Early and late are still the best times to be on the water if you are looking for limits or a chance at boating that personal best rainbow or brown.
What’s working may be slightly different in various areas, but Mitch McMullen at Convict Lake reports that Bloody Ripper, Thomas Buoyant and Speedy Shiners are the hot lures, along with PowerBait, orange and white Mice Tails, nightcrawlers, small midges, salmon eggs in the lake with mosquito dry fly larvae for creek anglers.
This is the time of the year with just about anything works, especially for those anglers willing to take short hikes to some of the wild lakes and streams at higher elevations.
Late summer water conditions are also excellent, thanks to a good snowpack last winter that kept lakes full and provided runoff throughout the summer.
A generally mild summer until the past few weeks also kept algae blooms to a minimum at Crowley Lake, but anglers now are being asked to observe a voluntary Hoot Owl restriction.
This is an effort to encourage anglers to stop fishing between noon and midnight when waters are typically the warmest. The name Hoot Owl refers to overnight and early morning times when owls are most active, and water temperatures are coolest. Those are also the best fishing times, between first light and noon.
During periods of high heat, water temperatures can rise to levels that restrict the amount of dissolved oxygen, and it increases the mortality rate of fish, especially those apparently released safely after being reeled in.
During warm spells, DFW monitors water temperatures and launches the voluntary program when waters exceed 67 degrees.
Waters included in the effort are Hot Creek, the Lower Owens River below Pleasant Valley Dam, the Upper Owens River, Lower Rush Creek, Bridgeport Reservoir and Crowley Lake.
Temperatures through the end of the month are expected to be in the high 90’s in Bishop and the low to mid-80’s at higher elevations.
So, let’s check out current conditions of Sierra waters.
Bishop area waters and Lower Owens River—High flows continue to make wading unsafe on the Lower Owens, but waters are stocked and early mornings and evenings are best for catching.
South Lake and Lake Sabrina were stocked for Labor Day weekend with trophy rainbow last week, and cooler conditions at the higher elevation lakes have been good.
Creeks are still flowing well into the Lake Sabrina, and the inlets are always a good place to park your boat. Trolling in the mornings along the west shore has been producing some nice stringers of rainbows.
A short boat ride, or hike to the inlets at South Lake will also be very rewarding, and reports are that mornings are the best time.
The forks of Bishop Creek are well stocked, and some of pockets are holding bigger rainbows. The secret is to work a small fly or lure, and you are likely to get one or two fish from that pool, then it’s time to move on to the next one.
North Lake good early and lake for shore anglers, especially along the far side. Tube fishing near the inlet or outlet can also produce some bigger rainbows or a few browns.
This is also prime time to take off on the backcountry trails out of South Lake or Sabrina where you will find very aggressive wild trout, eager to take almost any offering.
Rock Creek, Convict, Crowley and Mammoth Lakes area—Rock Creek Lake reports is one of those higher elevation waters that has come alive with cooler temperatures. Anglers have been reporting trophy rainbows to 6.5 pounds, along with good numbers of 2- to 4-pound trout filling stringers. Also, prime time to head out to those nearby wild lakes beyond road’s end in Rock Creek Canyon. One of easier access routes to so excellent fishing for wild brook, rainbow and brown trout.
The trophy stocking program at Convict Lake has been aggressive, and the biggest fish to come out last week weighed 7.5 pounds and was caught off the southwest shore in 50 feet of water with a trolled Tasmanian Devil. One group fishing the south shore came in with 12 fish, 10 of those over 3 pounds. Don’t tell anyone, but they were using chartreuse garlic and chunky cheese PowerBait.
Anglers headed to Crowley Lake for the holiday weekend should remember it is now under special regulations limiting anglers to unscented, barbless, artificial lures or flies only and a daily limit of two trout larger than 18 inches. There is also a 25 fish limit on perch, and they can only be caught with unscented jigs. Mornings have been best, with anglers reporting up to 20 fish, with a second wave coming in the afternoon.
The same morning and afternoon pattern is happening at Mammoth Lakes, but anglers are reporting steady action. As daytime temperatures increase, fish are moving away from shore into deeper water.
June Lakes, Lee Vining, Lundy Lake—The waters of June Lake Loop are well stocked with both DFW and trophy rainbows, thanks to the efforts of the June Lake Trout Program. All lakes have been fishing very well, especially early and late.
Lee Vining Creek continues to be stocked with some monster trout, and fishing pressure has slowed down a bit, and that should be good for catching some of those trophies.
Higher elevation lakes around Tioga, including Ellery, Tioga and Saddlebag have been good for limits of rainbows to 2 pounds and if you enjoy backcountry trout fishing, there are dozens of productive waters in the area.
Lundy Lake was stocked last week, and water conditions are excellent. Wind can sometimes be an issue at the lake, but don’t usually pick up until after 10 a.m. Trout up to 3 pounds were being caught last week.
Virginia Lakes, Bridgeport area—Carol Webb at Virginia Lakes Resort said cooler weather at the higher elevation waters has energized the bite. Nighttime temperatures at that altitude have dipped into the 40’s and that’s good for fishing. Lakes have been stocked in the basin. Anglers who want to get away from the drive-to waters should try the short hikes to Blue, Cooney and Frog Lakes above Virginia Lakes.
Bridgeport Reservoir has been slow for shore anglers, but bait fishing or trolling along the East Walker, Buckeye or Robinson Creek channels has been good. The usual baits and lures are works, and it’s always good to check in at Ken’s Sporting Goods for the latest hot tips.
Twin Lakes are holding some bigger fish, and they are deep. Trolling with downriggers at 60 feet has been hitting some nice rainbows, a few larger browns and kokanee.
Angler John Segoria fished Upper Robinson Creek where it flows into Upper Twin Lake during an early morning outing last week.
“The water at the mouth of where it empties into Upper Twin looked like glacier run off. We got a lot of rain yesterday afternoon. I fished a sink tip and caught two nice ones. One on a hand tied bead head green Woolly Bugger and one on a Matuka,” he said.
Sometimes it pays to get away from the crowds.
Temporary Road Closure Pleasant Valley Dam Road closed for repairs, Closure affects fishing access and will last into October
BISHOP – As of August 17, a section of Pleasant Valley Dam Road will be closed to the public, including pedestrian access and fishing. Pedestrian and fishing access will remain open from the upper end of the reservoir at Control Gorge.
Details on Closure: If you are coming from US 395, you may travel on the paved portion of the road until it ends. Beyond that point, there will be limited pedestrian access up to the closure area shown on the map, just before southern end of Pleasant Valley Dam.
Schedule: August 17 through early October 2026. During this period, extensive construction activities will be underway to ensure the roadway is fully restored and improved for future use.
For your safety, please avoid the area and follow all posted signage. Public access will reopen once the project is completed.
