Eastern Sierra Fishing

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The Twin Lakes, located southwest of Bridgeport, produce some of the biggest Browns in the Eastern Sierra. Trolling works best here, especially with #13 and #18 Rapalas. Shore fishermen do well with Power Bait, Nightcrawlers and Lures, such as a Woolly Bugger, Thomas Bouyant or an Olive Matuka. Good spots include along the shore closest to the road and near the inlet to Lower Twin.

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This lake often is overlooked by fishermen, but that doesn’t mean this isn’t a great spot. In fact, fishermen often pull eight pound Rainbows and Browns out of Lundy Lake. Located seven miles north of Lee Vining, Lundy provides a good number of Rainbow, Brook and Brown Trout. The lake is regularly stocked by the DFG. The best spots for fishing Lundy, include near the dam and across from the boat dock. Lures work best, although Power Bait and Nightcrawlers also produce.

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The Walker River offers some of the best fly fishing in America. Located north of Bridgeport near the Nevada border, the Walker provides plenty of action. Fly fishermen will find nymph patterns work best when the sun is on the water. Good fly patterns include Mosquitoes, Royal Wulfs, Black Gnats and Bead-Headed Prince Nymphs. The river has a two fish limit and anything over 14 inches must be released. Bait fishing is not allowed and only barbless hooks may be used.

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Located south of Gardnerville, Nevada, and north of Walker, California, Topaz Lake is half in California and half in Nevada. This 1,850-acre lake has a shoreline that stretches approximately 26-miles. Both states stock the lake and the fishing is great. Both states honor each others fishing licenses at Topaz. The lake is closed during October, November and December, but otherwise fishing is excellent the other months. Trout in the 8 – 10 pound range are common. Topaz Lake has launching ramps, a full-service marina, private and public campgrounds and nearby casinos. You can expect to catch Rainbows, Browns, and Cutthroat Trout in Topaz. While shore fishing is good, the larger trout are caught by trolling.

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