BY ERNIE COWAN
BRIDGEPORT—Good news from Bridgeport as state fisheries experts continue to monitor the cause and impacts of a massive fish kill that hit the East Walker River three weeks ago.
Such kills are not uncommon in late summer, but the recent event was larger than usual with hundreds of dead fish showing up in the prime “Miracle Mile” section below the Bridgeport Reservoir Dam. Many of those fish were trophy brown trout in the 8- to 9-pound range.
California Fish and Wildlife Senior Environmental Scientist and Fisheries Supervisor Nick Buckmaster has been monitoring the situation, and said it appears the die off was not as bad as feared.
“The river seems to be recovering pretty well, and we are planning to augment our regular stocking with an additional 45,000 fingerling brown trout that will be ready for next season,” Buckmaster said.
He credited hatchery staff who volunteered to drive to a hatchery in Shasta to bring the trout back.
“We didn’t plan on a fish die off, and our staff went above and beyond to address this issue,” Buckmaster said.
A toxic combination of warm summer water temperatures that kills algae and weeds is not uncommon in late summer months. This caused a loss of oxygen that results in the death of fish.
Buckmaster said the investigation continues as to why this year the fish kill was larger than usual.
The stocking of 45,000 brown trout will spur recovery, hopefully returning the East Walker River to its previous condition as a prime fly-fishing water.
In the meantime, anglers are being asked to stay off the river for at least a mile below the dam and fish further downstream where fish were not impacted by the toxic conditions.
On a larger scale, the Eastern Sierra is moving into prime time with cooler fall temperatures and fish actively feeding.
Here’s a look at conditions.
Virginia Lakes, Bridgeport area— The lower sections of the East Walker were not impacted by the fish kill at the Bridgeport Reservoir Dam and the fishing has been good. Anglers encouraged to avoid the area at least one mile downstream from the dam.
Bridgeport reservoir picking up as temperatures cool. Trolling and bait fishing the channels the best bet.
Both Upper and Lower Twin more active with trolling at 5 to 6 colors and downriggers to 30 or 40 feet. Both shore and boats working for bait anglers.
All of the Virginia Lakes have been hot for both bait and lure anglers. Waters are cooler and fish are active.
June Lake Loop-Lee Vining—Cooling water has moved fish into shallower water. Lakes are well stocked, and fishing pressure is light. Lots of 2- to 4-pound rainbows being caught, and trolled Rapala are still connecting with some bigger brown at Grant Lake.
Silver Lake has received five loads of fish in the past three weeks, so it’s full of trophy fish, along with DFW stockers.
Anglers have been doing well at the backside of Gull Lake, connecting some bigger rainbows using PowerBait and salmon eggs.
It can change day-to-day, but the latest from June Lake is the best fishing has been around Boulder Lodge and near the swim beach.
Mammoth Lakes area—The buzz from Mammoth Lakes was the big brown caught and released at Twin Lake by angler Steve Carlson who was tossing a green spotted frog Thomas Buoyant on 6-pound line. That’s a monster brown and a rarity at Twin.
Other waters in the basin are starting to cool and Brian Dunham at Rick’s Sports Center said fish have moved closer to shore in 5 to 10 feet of water, with lots of 2- to 4-pound trout on the chew.
Guides at The Troutfitter in Mammoth are reporting improving conditions at Crowley Lake, with water cooling and algae disappearing. Fish are spread out as a result and they have become picky, so keep changing your offerings until you get some interest.
Convict Lake has been good for lots of 2 to 4-pound rainbows, and cooler weather has brought fish closer to the surface where they seem partial to nightcrawlers, bright colored PowerBait and anything with garlic scent.
Rock Creek Lake has come alive, with fish moving closer to shore. Backcountry lakes are also producing a steady bite and hungry wild rainbows and brookies are not very particular.
Bishop area and south—South Lake and Lake Sabrina stocked last week with heavyweight Idaho rainbows, and temperatures at the higher elevation waters has kept fish active and feeding.
Lower Owens fishing continues to be a bit slow due to excessive daytime heat.