Fishing Report
Eastern Sierra Fishing photos compiled by our local guide staff and the rest of the information sourced from their crew and our wonderful guests. Thank You!!!
Photo @CarterMurphyPhoto
Invasive Golden Mussel !
The discovery of these new golden mussels present threats to more local waters than the Quaggas and Zebras because they need less calcium in the water and can survive higher and lower temps. Bottom line, we need your help to spread the word to keep the invasive species from spreading into our lakes and streams. Best practice for boats, trailers and gear is Drain, Clean & Dry.
www.wildlife.ca.gov/mussels
866-440-9530
Owens River Gorge
Flows should be going up any day now. There has been some caddis activity in the evenings. Nymphing under an indicator or with a Euro outfit continues to be the most productive method of fly fishing the river. The trout have been feeding on young stone flies and a size 14 or 16 stoner nymph will imitate these young skwala stone fly nymphs. Size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 16 SOS nymphs, size 20 tiger midges and size 20 zebra midges are fooling the trout feeding on the substrate.
Owens River Gorge Highlight
Depending on the access point used the Owens River Gorge is an easy or hard hike into the canyon. Hatching midges and mayflies are bringing the wild brown trout to the surface. The wild trout are taking size 18 blue wing olive parachutes, size 18 sparkle duns and size 18 Adams parachutes. Nymphing with size 16 gold ribbed hares ears, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs, size 18 olive quilldigons, size 16 butano nymphs and size 16 rainbow warriors. Stinking nettles are growing quickly along the river and there are lots of wild roses to contend with along the banks of the Owens River in the gorge.
To stay up with the changing flows check out Eastern Sierra water flows.
>> Complete Lower Owens Fishing Report by Sierra Trout Fly Shop
Upper Owens River
Above Benton Crossing Bridge
Cutthroats are in the river, but are still not in concentrated numbers and you have to move around to find the trophy cutthroat trout. There are a few trophy rainbows and browns being caught by fly fishers working their nymphs in the deep runs, deep holes and cutbanks while working there flies for the trophy cutthroats. For the trophy trout try nymphing with size 12 stoner nymphs, size 12 green/gold wire Prince nymphs size 12 gold ribbed hare’s ears variations and size 14 copper John’s. On the Euro rig use a stoner nymph, green/gold wire Prince nymph and size 18 olive quilldigon. The quilldigon will produce six to 12 inch resident rainbows and browns. Streamers are producing a few trophy cutthroat for fly fishers striping with wooly buggers, slumpbusters and balanced leeches.
>> Complete Fishing Report by Sierra Bright Dot
Hot Creek
Interpretive Area: Hard to believe this area got a couple of inches of snow from the last storm that moved through the Eastern Sierra. The snow only lasted a few hours and is not going to inhibit access to the Interpretive Site. The wind that is associated with these storms is going to affect the dry fly fishing. Nymphing with size 22 tiger midges, size 22 zebra midge, size 20 soft hackle brassies, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs and size 18 olive quilldigons is producing wild brown and rainbow trout.
The Canyon: This area continues to produce trout for fly fishers nymphing with a dry and dropper rig or Euro nymphing. Cover all the water in the canyon thoroughly with your nymphs. The riffles produce just as well as the deep holes. It’s getting tougher to nymph as the weed beds are growing with the warm spring days. Nymph with size 20 gray La Fontaines caddis emerger, size 20 zebra midge, size 20 tiger midge, size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymph, size 18 olive quilldigon and size 18 SOS nymph.
Bishop Creek Canal
While there is a lot of fishing pressure on the canal the fly fisher knowing how to work nymphs in the lanes between the weeds is being rewarded with rainbows and browns. Working size 20 tiger midge, size 20 zebra midge, size 12 green/gold wire Prince nymphs, size 12 stoner nymphs, size 16 SOS nymph, size 18 olive quilldigons and size 18 bead head flash back pheasant tail nymphs on the open water between the weed beds is fooling the trout. Working the faster riffle sections always seems to produce trout. On the surface cast size 18 Adams parachutes, size 18 blue wing olive parachutes and size 16 elk hair caddis.
>> Complete Bishop Creek Canal Fishing Report by Sierra Bright Dot
Crowley Lake -FANTASTIC!
All boats entering Crowley Lake will need to be inspected.
The 2025 fishing season is off to a fantastic start! Although I’ve only had the chance to fish a few areas myself, the reports from other trolling boats echo the same sentiment: the fishing has been excellent.
The most productive fishing seems to be in 20-30 feet of water, from the surface all the way to the bottom. Topwater fishing is currently very good as there are no weeds to contend with yet. I also had success trolling with 2-4 colors of lead core in about 24 feet of water.
Here are some of the top spots that have been producing:
- Mcgee Bay
- Sandy Point to The Willows
- Alligator Point
- North Arm
https://www.crowleylakefishcamp.com/fishing-reports
Fishing Reports by top ranked Fishing Guides – Owens River, Hot Creek, Bishop Creek and Eastern Sierra Lakes
- Local Fishing Report by Sierra Trout Magnet
- Weekly Fly Fishing Report by Sierra Bright Dot
- Bishop Creek Fishing Report by Parchers Resort
Fishing Maps
Bishop Creek
Courtesy of Parchers Resort and South Lake Landing
Get ready! Lakes are still frozen over, but it should be a phenomenal summer season. Season ends November 15
Latest about fishing Bishop
Typical spring weather in the Eastern Sierra with storms moving through and a few nice days in between. Before you know it summer will be here with temperatures in the high 90’s and low 100’s. The cool weather is delaying the snow melt for at least a week or two. Insect activity is up and down with the weather. Mayflies and midges are the active insects the trout are feeding on. Carry a few caddis adults as the caddis are starting their late spring early summer emergence. Only good thing with the cooler weather is no mosquitoes.
Year-Round Fishing
