BY ERNIE COWAN
CROWLEY LAKE—As summer days heat Sierra waters and move trout deeper, a growing number of anglers are putting aside the trout tackle and discovering the excitement of fishing for Sacramento perch at Crowley Lake, home of the world record for this prized table fish.
Sacramento perch are the state’s only native sunfish, once common in California’s Central Valley until invasive species and habitat loss tanked their numbers.
Fortunately, they found a new home in the bug-rich waters of Mono County and have become increasingly popular for anglers at Crowley Lake, Bridgeport Reservoir and in the Owens and Walker River drainages.
In 1991 the first Crowley Lake Perch Derby began and in 1995 angler Richard Fisher boated a 3.19-pound Crowley Chicken to set world weight record, but there is some controversy about this.
It seems that in 1979, angler Jack Johnson hauled in a 3.63-pound perch at Crowley, and it was certified by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife but never submitted to the IGFA for world-record certification.
At any rate, it’s safe to say Crowley Lake holds the world perch record, and continues to kick out some monster fish, like the 2.8-pound Sac landed by Kelly Modispacher that earned her first-place honors in this year’s competition. Second place was a 2.4-pound perch caught by Rolando Rungle, and Erin Menke took third with a 2.1-pound fish.
Bridgeport Reservoir is growing as a perch water since it’s an ideal habitat with shallow, nutrient-rich water that is prime for excellent spawning and rapid growth.
Jim Reid at Ken’s Sporting Goods in Bridgeport said the season has not taken off yet this year, but anglers are catching a few and many are over 2 pounds.
“The ones I’ve heard of this season have been while trolling for trout. It seems to me that they don’t wad up on Bridgeport like they do on Crowley, they seem to just show up at random,” Reid said. “I have had some pretty good days off the dam with Mini Jigs.”
On the Owens River and Walker River Drainages, perch fishing is more random, with small populations established in some of the backwaters and ponds.
In late spring and early summer, perch tend to be found around spawning beds near weed edges in shallow water.
They move into deeper water in August into October, holding in channels, along drop-offs and open water 10 to 25 feet deep and these are good places to jig.
These are fun fish to catch on light gear. They ae scrappy fighters that respond well to small micro jigs or soft plastic grubs in white chartreuse, olive or pink. Nightcrawler pieces, mealworm on small hooks under a slip bobber dangled just above the weed line is a good tactic.
Fly-fishing along weed lines with a 3 to 5 weight rod tipped with callibaetis nymphs and chironomids under an indicator, or small Woolly Buggers, damselfly nymphs or mini streamers are also dependable methods.
With a limit of 25 perch daily you can have an excellent fish fry by lightly coating the slabs with cornmeal and frying with herbs and lemon. They taste a lot like crappie or bluegill.
Add this to list of things to do when heading to the High Country for you next fishing adventure.
Overall, trout fishing is moving into the summer pattern, where seasonal temperatures are warming lakes and streams, pushing fish into deeper holes.
Here are a few things to keep in mind.
Early and later are the best times to fish now when temperatures are cooler and the sun if off the water. Shore fishing is slowing down as fish move into those cooler pockets. In some lakes, that included spots where underwater springs bring in colder water. A fish finder will often show a school holding at that spot.
Inlets are a good place to fish as the incoming water is often cooler and it carries food.
Higher elevation lakes, such as Sabrina, North and South lakes in Bishop Canyon, Mammoth Lakes, Rock Creek Canyon, Tioga, Ellery and Saddlebag lakes and Virginia Lakes enjoy cooler temperatures and that means fish will be more active.
And maybe the most valuable tip: Stop at local tackle shops on your way to the High Country and pick the brain of the experts who see a steady stream of anglers every day and can tell you exactly what’s working and where.
Things to remember.
Crowley Lake moved to the annual restricted fishing season on Aug. 1, with anglers limited to artificial lures only and a daily limit of two trout, 18 inches or larger. Perch are limited to 25 daily, but the artificial lure-only restriction also applies.
Fishing season on Rush Creek between Silver and Grant lakes closes on September 30, which is a month-and-a-half before closure of the general season. This regulation was adopted to protect spawning brown trout on this popular stretch of trout water.
The Eastern Sierra also offers plenty of good fishing opportunity for anglers willing to take short hikes from trailheads in Bishop Canyon, Mammoth Lakes, Rock Creek, June Lake, Tioga Pass area, and Virginia Lakes.
