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EASTERN SIERRA PREVIEW
By Shawn Arnold
This popular route is the link to many excellent fishing spots from the end of April to the end of October
The trout season in the eastern sierra runs from the last Saturday in April (opening day) through the last weekend in October.
Starting in Bishop there are numerous good fishing spots. The Owens River from Crowley Lake to the Tinemaha Reservoir (including Pleasant Valley Reservoir) the exception rather than the rule as they are open year round for fishing. The Bishop Area C of C stocks Alpers trout in this area once a week in the winter. The lower Owens from Pleasant Valley Reservoir down stream to Five Bridges Road is a wild trout river. Check with one of the many tackle shops in Bishop for ever changing regulations. For more information on the Bishop area call the Bishop Chamber of Commerce/Visitors Bureau at 888/395-3952.
As you work your way up route 395 from Bishop towards Bridgeport, ample fishing chances await. About 15 miles past Bishop is Tom’s Place. Besides being the gateway to Rock Creek Lake, it also serves up an excellent breakfast. If you have never tried eating there but have passed it, you owe it to yourself to give it a try. Rock Creek Lake can provide great fishing, but it is usually iced over until the end of May.
Right before Mammoth still traveling north on 395 is Hot Creek. It gets its name from the hot springs naturally heated waters. Fishing Hot Creek is strictly catch and release, barbless artificials. Even if you don’t want to fish Hot Creek it is worth the stop just to see them. With steam shooting up and signs confirming it, you can tell some of the water is scalding hot.
Next is Crowley Lake. Crowley is perhaps California’s most famous fishing lake. Years ago I used to fish Crowley on opening day, but now I fish tiny Gull Lake. If you are a trout enthusiast you owe it to yourself to fish Crowley at least once on the very crowded opening day.
Usually the outstanding fishing justifies the crowds at Crowley. For many people, including myself opening day is more than a chance to catch some trout. It is an event. A chance to visit the majestic sierras with all its splendor. Heck if it was just about catching trout, one should go to Irvine, or Laguna Niguel Lake. Both provide excellent trouting in less than an hours drive from most of Southern California.
What Crowley lacks in scenery it makes it up as a fishery. The lake has a marina with boat rentals, launching facilities and a tackle shop. For the latest information about Crowley call them at 760/935-4301. Or check out their informative website at www.crowleylakefishcamp.com.
A short drive past Crowley Lake is Convict Lake. It provides a stark contrast in appearance to the drab Crowley Lake. Convict Lake is a real gem that no one should miss. Even if you don’t want to fish there you should stop and check it out.
The Mammoth Lakes area is only about seven miles past Convict Lake. There is NO lake called Mammoth Lake, it is just the name of the city. There are five lakes accessible by car in the Mammoth Lakes area. The most popular is Twin Lakes, which is really three small lakes joined together by a stream. Lake Mary, Horseshoe, George and Mamie are the other lakes.
All lakes can provide very good fishing but usually are frozen over until mid-June. The Mammoth Lakes area sometimes provide excellent skiing over opening weekend. This area offers a wide array of lodging facilities. Hotels, motels, and condos are available. Numerous restaurants from fast food to gourmet add to the convenience of this city.
About 18 miles past Mammoth Lakes is my favorite eastern sierra destination. The June Lake loop consists of four lakes. You must get off 395 and onto highway 158 which runs into 395 again.
The four lakes are June, Gull, Silver and Grant Lake. The only city in the loop is June Lake. It offers 9 or 10 motels and 7 or 8 restaurants. Fishing tackle and insider tips are available at Ernies Tackle. Ernies is a landmark, and is open 24 hours the night before opening day. If you plan on visiting the June Lake Loop contact Ernies at 760/648-7756.
The Boulder Lodge which overlooks June Lake has some very nice accommodations. June Lake is a beautiful lake with good fishing. There are two marinas on June Lake to rent boats. Trolling is a very popular method on this lake. Shore fishing is available off route 158 (steep climb) and near the beach area.
Gull Lake is a short walk from June Lake. As mentioned before this is my location for fishing on opening day. I switched from Crowley about 15 years ago. This small lake offers up some big fish. Rainbow, brown and brook trout are all plentiful. If available, it is better to rent a boat here as a lot of shore space is unaccessible. Favorite spots includes brookie hole, by the playground and the reeds. Both bait and lures prove deadly.
If you ever stay in June Lake be sure to eat at the Sierra Inn. The night before opening day they put on a killer buffet. Having breakfast there after limiting out on opening day is a long standing tradition that I hope never ends.
About two miles past Gull Lake is Silver Lake. This scenic lake offers good shore fishing. Rush Creek flows into Silver Lake from both sides. Rush Creek is always jammed with anglers fishing the many pools on it.
The creek then flows into Grant Lake. Grant Lake is the least scenic of the four. However it provides the best opportunity for a large brown trout. Grant Lake is three times bigger than June, Gull and Silver combined.
Keep on route 158 and it runs into 395 again. Route 395 then goes to Lee Vining and twenty five miles later to Bridgeport where there are numerous angling possibilities.
In fact the largest brown trout ever landed in California was landed in Bridgeport’s Upper Twin Lake. The monster weighed in at over 26 pounds. Large browns are caught every year in Twin Lakes and Bridgeport Reservoir. Walker River produces some nice fish also.
Driving up 395 and fishing its many spots makes for some great fun from late April to late October. In addition to the fun and fishing, there is awe inspiring scenery. If you have not made this trek, make plans now. You won’t regret it.
