Well we're about 1 week into the Mammoth fishing season, time to share my top 15 favorite fishing spots in and around Mammoth and the Eastern Sierra's! Take a look below and if you've got a personal favorite, let me know!
East Walker River - my personal favorite!
Type of Fish: Browns, Rainbows
Directions: From Bridgeport on US395, take Highway 182 and drive north along Bridgeport Reservoir, then continue past the dam. The road runs right along the river, providing direct access.
Bridgeport Reservoir
Type of Fish: German Browns, Rainbows, Cutthroat, Sacramento Perch
Directions: Take US395 north to Bishop and continue to Bridgeport and Highway 182. Turn east on Highway 182 and continue for one mile to the lake. The boat ramps are directly off the highway.
Twin Lakes
Type of Fish: Browns, Rainbows, Kokanee Salmon
Directions: Drive US395 to Mammoth Lakes Road (203), 12 miles north of Crowley Lake, and turn west. Twin Lakes are about seven miles up the road.
Virginia Lakes
Type of Fish: Rainbows, Browns, Brookies
Directions: Travel US395 to the top of Conway Summit, 17 miles north of the town of Lee Vining, and turn west on Virginia Lakes Road. The lakes are at the end of the road.
June Lake Loop
Type of Fish: Brookies, Alpers, Rainbows, Browns
Directions: Turn west off US395 into June Lake Loop Road, south. June Lake is approximately one mile from the turnoff.
The June Lake Loop consists of four glistening lakes (June Lake, Gull Lake, Silver Lake and Grant Lake) All the lakes are stocked with trophy-sized Alpers trout. There are five marinas, tackle shops, boat and float tube rentals. Rush Creek is the perfect spot to test your fly-fishing skills.
Lower Rush Creek
Type of Fish: Browns
Directions: Drive on US395 to the June Lake Loop Road, south, and turn west. Continue to Silver Lake. The creek is planted at access points from the Southern California Edison power plant bridge, north to the lake, and in Silver Lake Campground located north of the lake, and for approximately one-quarter mile north of the campgrounds.
Mammoth Lakes Basin
Type of Fish: Rainbows, Browns, Brookies, Alpers
Directions: Located in Mamoth Lakes on Lake Mary Road.
Mammoth Lakes Basin is located on Lake Mary Road in the scenic mountain area. The basin consists of 4 lakes - Lake George, Lake Mary, Twin Lakes, and Lake Mamie. Stocked often, this area has several campgrounds, and a general store. There are no fishing restrictions on these lakes and fishing is good all season once the snow melts.
Hot Creek
Type of Fish: Rainbows, Browns
Directions: Take US395 to Hot Creek Hatchery Road (36 miles north of Bishop). Turn east on Hot Creek Hatchery Road and look for the sign for Hot Creek Geologic Area. Continue for about three miles to the dirt parking areas and hike down to the creek.
Hot Creek is world famous for its fine fishing. Catch and release with barbless artificial flies only. This is the only place in the area where the fish population is all natural. Fish up to 18" are regularly caught - so don't forget the camera!
San Joaquin River
Type of Fish: Rainbows, Browns, Brookies, Goldens
Directions: Take US395, drive to Mammoth Junction (203). Turn west on Highway 203 and drive four miles, through the town of Mammoth Lakes to the traffic light at Minaret Road. Turn right and drive five miles to Minaret Station. (You'll drive through the Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort.) From the pay-station, continue for nine miles to Devil's Postpile.
The San Joaquin River is sure to provide a great fly fishing ex-cursion. The fish are around 12 inches long, some larger. The river begins at Thousand Island Lake, 10 miles north of Mammoth. This river is one of the local's favorite.
Convict Lake
Type of Fish: Rainbows, German Browns
Directions: Travel US395 to 10 miles south of Mammoth Lakes and turn west on Convict Lake Road. Continue approximately two miles to the lake.
Upper Owens River
Type of Fish: Rainbows, Browns
Directions: Drive US395 to Approximately eight miles north of 203, the Mammoth Lakes turnoff, and turn east on Big Springs Road. Continue for five miles and then turn north at the Big Springs Campgrounds turnoff.
Lower McGee Creek
Type of Fish: Oxbows
Directions: Drive 28 miles north of Bishop on US395 and turn west on McGee CReek Road. Continue one-quarter mile south on Old US395 to McGee Pack Station Road. The creek is planted off access roads from Old US395 to Upper Campground.
McGee Creek is nestled in the canyons of the McGee Mountains just south of town. Lots of trees and several picnic areas provide for a relaxing afternoon. The fish are on the smaller side, but the views are fantastic!
Crowley Lake (Best lake fishing in the Eastern Sierra)
Type of Fish: Rainbows, Sacramento Perch
Directions: Crowley is located 25 miles north of Bishop just off US395. Turn east at the Crowley Lake sign to enter at the south end of the lake. Drive farther north on US395 to Benton Crossing Road. Turn east and follow road to the north lake entrance.
Lower Owens River (year-round fishing)
Type of Fish: Browns
Directions: Drive 35 miles north of Bishop on IS395 and turn east on Benton Crossing Road. Continue on Benton Crossing Road to the bridge. Trout are planted at access points one-half mile upstream and two miles downstream of the bridge.
Lower Owens provides year-round fishing below Crowley Lake. The drive down from Mammoth is approximately 35 minutes and expect the temperatures to be around 15 degrees warmer. It's a great place to go in the winter months after a morning of alpine skiing or snowmobiling. Wild trout are plentiful and certain areas are catch and release sanctioned.