BY ERNIE COWAN
MAMMOTH LAKES— As eager anglers flock to Eastern Sierra trout waters from Big Pine to Bridgeport; all signs point to one of the better openings with even higher elevation lakes free of ice and filled with trophy trout.
While there are no guarantees, I’ll predict we will see more monster fish on stringers this year than we have in some time.
Even an opening day snowstorm is not likely to limit angler access to waters not typically open, such as those higher elevation South, North, Rock Creek and Virginia lakes which are ice free.
Add to that the growing effort to plant trophy trout along with Department of Fish and Wildlife stockers and the tons trophy holdovers put in late last season, there will be both quantity and quality fish waiting for opening day anglers.
This edition of WON will hit the stands on opening weekend of the 2026 general trout season and hopefully give you the latest scoop on what to expect when you get to your favorite opening weekend Slam Zone.
Anglers should be aware of an import new regulation, implemented to prevent spread of the invasive golden mussel that could destroy recreational fishing in Eastern Sierra waters.
This year, any trailered watercraft must be inspected and tagged before launching into any water in Inyo and Mono Counties. That inspection may include decontamination that involves high-temperature and high-pressure spraying to remove any mussels.
At press time, Inspection stations are tentatively planned for Bishop and Bridgeport. All information including locations and hours can be found at EasternSierraWID.com. Inspection stations should be open from 6:30 a.m. There will be no fees for inspection, decontamination, or the Eastern Sierra Mussel Stickers this year.
The big waters of the Eastern Sierra that attract some of the largest crowds are Crowley Lake and Bridgeport Reservoir.
Crowley has been free of ice for months and is wide open. The biggest issue there is the wind, but with no ice, anglers should be able to access sheltered arms for some good opening day fishing if the winds show up. Many of those monster Crowley snow-bows have now migrated back into the lake from the Upper Owens and should provide some whoops and hollers for anglers lucky enough to hook up with one.
Crowley Lake will be offering mussel inspection and decontamination for watercraft accessing the lake. Anglers can also sign up at Crowley Lake Fish Camp for the opening day Big Fish Contest, hosted by the fishing folks at Berkley with a $1,500 cash prize for the largest fish by weight along it additional merchandise prizes.
Mammoth Lakes Basin is always a question mark for opening day, but this year it looks like all the basin lakes will be free of ice.
Alex Fillmore, veteran trout guide at Rick’s Sports Center, said the gates into the basin will not likely be open to vehicles, but roads should be clear of snow and accessible to hikers and bike riders. The road down into Red’s Meadow is also clear of snow and should be open to hikers and bike riders, but not vehicles. Sotcher Lake at Red’s Meadow is ice free.
The lack of snow and ice will be the story up and down the Eastern Sierra from Big Pine to Bridgeport.
Bridgeport Reservoir is clear, water levels are excellent and the Marina will be operational with available boat rentals and boat launching, according to Lindsey Lyon at Bridgeport Marina.
Bridgeport’s Twin Lakes also offer plenty of action for opening day anglers and along with good fishing, Mono Village at Upper Twin Lake will be hosting the annual Mono Village Fishing Opener Derby with cash and merchandise prizes awarded in several categories.
Moving south, Virginia Lakes is usually an ice fishing destination on opening weekend. That’s not happening this year.
Carol Webb at Virginia Lakes Resort said roads are open and there is no fishable ice on Big or Little Virginia lakes or nearby Trumbull Lake.
Lundy Lake will be open to fishing, but no services available at the resort.
Brad Beaver at Beaver’s Sporting Goods said Lee Vining Creek is well stocked with trophy rainbows, thanks to effort of the Lee Vining Chamber of Commerce and flows are good.
“Caltrans is also working on the road up to Tioga and we are hoping that might be open by opening day, but have no reports yet,” he said.
All waters are open in June Lake Loop, and well stocked, thanks the work of the June Lake Trophy Trout Program. Anglers are reminded that Rush Creek is closed to fishing until the Memorial Day weekend to protect the brown trout fishery.
The biggest draw in the Loop is the annual June Loop Monster Trout Derby held opening day. Entries must be checked in at Ernie’s Tackle and Ski before 6:30 p.m. when the awards ceremony begins. Prizes are awarded in various youth and adult categories and for the biggest fish from each lake. Jeremy Ross at Ernie’s said contest rules were changed this year to eliminate the biggest cutthroat and brown from competition to encourage conservation of these species. Raffle tickets will also be sold for the annual boat giveaway on Labor Day. Funds from the raffle go to the June Lake Trophy Trout Stocking Program.
Convict Lake has been free of ice most of the winter, and fish have been actively feeding, and that’s good news for opening day dunkers. The lake is hosting the annual Round-Up at the Lake Spring Fishing Derby beginning on April 26 and ending June 12.
Tom’s Place at the turn off to Rock Creek Lake will be hosting a Fishmas Day Derby with cash prizes and a 50/50 cash raffle. Advanced registration is required.
This will be one of the rare years when Rock Creek Lake will be free of ice and the road will be cleared into the canyon.
Jim King at Rock Creek Lake Resort said the resort will not be open until Memorial Day weekend, when rental boats will also be available.
Bishop Creek Canyon is another one of those higher elevation destinations that is free of ice and snow for opening day.
Services will be available at Cardinal Village Resort and Lake Sabrina, and there may be rental boats available at South Lake.
Roads are clear, and anglers should be able to drive to each of the lakes in the canyon.
Intake II is often a popular opening day venue, but the lake was drained last fall for maintenance and has not beet stocked yet. Some wash down brown and a few small rainbows have been caught, but fishing will likely be slow there.
At press time, flows on the Lower Owens were still on the high side, but the river is holding plenty of fish.
Eastern Sierra Sportfishing guide Andre Nersesian said anglers should rig with heavier weights to get bait and lures down to the bottom.
Some of the best Eastern Sierra trout fishing happens in the few weeks between opening day and Memorial Day when fish conditions are ideal and fish are hungry. It’s a good time enjoy light fishing pressure and a non-stop bite when in the right places, so if you can extend your opening day visit, or plan a trip the following week, you will score.
