Updated October 18, 2021

Sierra Report

BISHOP AREA – South Lake is very low, but the fishing hasn’t been bad for better-grade stocked rainbows. Anglers throwing metal (Thomas Buoyants, Kastmasters, etc.) from Boiler Cove to the back side (which is now a short walk due to low water levels) are getting them. Both forks of Bishop Creek are producing for spin and fly anglers, and the fall color backdrop is a stunner. Flows in the lower Owens River are wadeable, but it’s borderline. Flows are expected to drop soon.

CROWLEY, CONVICT, ROCK CREEK LAKE – At Crowley, everyone is focusing on the North Arm at a comical level. The area off of Six Bays usually looks like private boats all over a trendy bite on the outerbanks. Fly-guys are doing well stillwater nymphing or kicking around and dragging a streamer. Tubers in particular are doing well on streamers off of North Landing. Big spoons (1/6 to ¼ ounce) will still get anglers into quality cutthroat, big rainbows and the occasional 12- to 16-inch brown. Rock Creek Lake has been very slow. Convict Lake has fair at best, but it always finishes the season strong. They’ve been stocking the bigger Oregon fish longer than most area lakes.

MAMMOTH LAKES AREA – The Mammoth Lakes Basin closed for a few days when the snow came through, but it opened back up on Monday. The top producer is Lake George where quality rainbows are taking jigs on the shoreline between the dock and inlet. Lake Mary is next up with bigger fish from 5 to 8 pounds coming in on nightrawlers and PowerBait. Boat rentals are not available, but fishing is until Nov. 15. Big fish have been stocked throughout the Basin for one last charge, and for solid holdovers next year. Twin Lakes and Lake Mamie have been on the slow side.

JUNE LAKE LOOP – Very good fishing throughout the Loop, and June Lake has been best. Trollers, casters and bait dunkers with garlic Berkley Pinched Crawlers, white Mice Tails and nightcrawlers working at all the lakes. The most limits are coming out of Gull Lake, and the bigger fish are coming out of Grant and Silver lakes (along with June). On those bigger lakes, trolling Rapalas and Speedy Shiners are also working along with streamers for fly fishermen. Rush Creek is closed for the season per the new regs.

LEE VINING AREA – Fly rodders (or fly-and-bubble chuckers) can get into decent numbers of smaller brook trout at Tioga Lake. Saddlebag and Ellery lakes have not been getting much angler pressure so reports have been thin. Fishing has been decent for bigger trout down in Lee Vining Creek through the meadow and campgrounds at the base of Tioga Pass.

BRIDGEPORT AREA – Twin Lakes is kicking out troll fish on Rapalas, spoons and Tasmanian Devils while bait fishermen are doing well on Mice Tails and Pinched Crawlers. Bridgeport Reservoir has been good from boat and shore. Trolling with Rapalas and Speedy Shiners and anchoring up with the same bait options along with live nightcrawlers is getting the job done on the reservoir.