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Area Fishing Resources

February 28, 2010 in Area Notes, Fishing, Inyo County, Lakes and Streams, Mono County by Michael Sommermeyer

Click on a location below to learn more about that particular lake, stream or feature:


Crowley Lake

June 1, 2009 in Campgrounds, Fishing, Lakes, Mono County, Southern Mono County by Michael Sommermeyer

Crowley Lake becomes a parking lot on opening day, and it is often said you can walk boat-to-boat! However, this is a large man-made lake and holds a large number of Wild Rainbows, Browns and Sacramento Perch. Alligator Point, Sand Point and Hilton Bay provide some of the best action on Crowley. Flies and lures work best here, and in fact from August 1 through October 31st fishermen can only use barbless lures or flies and can only keep two fish. The Perch go for bright-colored feathery jigs presented with a lot of movement. Crowley Lake is located 35 miles north of Bishop on Hwy 395. A full-service marina and store are available. Boats are common, but float tubes also work well, especially near the north end of the lake.

Owens River

June 1, 2009 in Campgrounds, Fishing, Northern Inyo County, Northern Mono County, Southern Inyo County, Southern Mono County, Streams by Michael Sommermeyer

The main tributary of the Eastern Sierra, the Owens River flows into Crowley Lake, Pleasant Valley Reservoir and down the Owens Valley to Independence. The Owens flows through high mountain valleys to desert valleys below Independence. A Wild Trout section located between Pleasant Valley and Laws provides prime fly fishing and is a catch-and-release area. Brown Trout are plentiful in the Owens. A prime spot is located at Crowley Lake near Benton Crossing near the north end of the lake. Rainbow Trout are stocked in the river from Laws to Big Pine.

June Lake

June 1, 2009 in Campgrounds, Fishing, Lakes, Northern Mono County by Michael Sommermeyer

The first lake on the June Lake Loop, June is a deep glacier fed lake that provides boaters with many opportunities to catch a Rainbow, Brown or Brook trout.




Cutthroat trout also can be found in the lake. In addition, the lake receives regular stocking from Alper’s Ranch. The best places for fishing from shore include along the highway near Boulder Lodge, the beach area at the east end of the lake, and near the reeds located on the west end of the lake.

Gull Lake

June 1, 2009 in Campgrounds, Fishing, Lakes, Northern Mono County by Michael Sommermeyer

Head for “The Rock” for some of the best fishing in the June Lake Loop. Gull Lake consistently produces a large number of Rainbow, Brown and Brook trout. In fact, a favorite spot for boat fishermen is “The Brooky Hole” located to the left of the marina.

Silver Lake

June 1, 2009 in Campgrounds, Fishing, Lakes, Northern Mono County by Michael Sommermeyer

Silver Lake offers a number of productive areas including the parking lot at the south end of the lake. Also, float tubers find the southeast shoreline to produce well. The lake is stocked with Rainbows, Alper’s, and contains its share of native Browns. A private campground at the lake is close to a general store and tackle shop.

Grant Lake

June 1, 2009 in Campgrounds, Fishing, Lakes, Northern Mono County by Michael Sommermeyer

This man-made lake is not as pretty as the rest of the lakes on the June Lake Loop, but it is a consistent producer. The entire lake is accessable from the shore. The best spots include where Rush Creek enters the lake at the north, the narrows at the marina and a place called Sheepherder’’s Bay along the backside. This lake is a great boat lake and boaters should weigh anchor across from the marina or near where Rush Creek enters the lake. In the morning concentrate on using lures. By midday switch to bait fishing off the bottom. Fly fishing works best in the evening.

Rush Creek

June 1, 2009 in Campgrounds, Fishing, Northern Mono County, Streams by Michael Sommermeyer

The creek receives plantings from the DFG at the Southern California Edison power plant bridge and near the Silver Lake campground. The most popular stretch of the stream is between Silver Lake and Grant Lake. The stream provides a number of nice spots, sheltered by Aspen trees, and located near submerged boulders and trees. These areas hold a lot of fish. Use spinning lures cast upstream and then retrieved at a fast clip. Floating bait produces well. Use a spit-shot sinker about a foot above the bait and then let it float downstream. Salmon Eggs, Power Bait and nightcrawlers all produce.

Rock Creek Lake

June 1, 2009 in Back Country, Campgrounds, Fishing, Lakes, Southern Mono County by Michael Sommermeyer

Rock Creek Lake holds a number of large Browns, as well as its share of Rainbows. The boat dock offers very good fishing. The Little Lakes Valley offers a number smaller lakes, including Mack Lake. To reach this area you must start at the Mosquito Flat trailhead and walk about fifteen minutes. Mack holds native Browns and a large population of Brook Trout. Flies work best here. Rock Creek provides Rainbow, Brown and Brook action as the stream flows down to the Owens Valley. Spinning Lures and flies produce well, especially in the small pools formed along the creek. Ants work real well as do  Crickets and Adams flies. Visit our sister site www.rockcreeklake.com.

Lake Mamie

June 1, 2009 in Campgrounds, Fishing, Lakes, Southern Mono County by Michael Sommermeyer

This lake is located in the Mammoth Lakes Basin and offers a quite spot for catching Rainbows and Brook Trout. The lake is shallow and float-tubers will find it very productive. Shore fishermen also find Mamie a good spot for floating bait. The Fly/Bubble technique works well in the evening, with Adams and Woolly Buggers providing the best action for lures and flies.