Rock Creek Lake

Lake Name: Rock Creek Lake     Elevation: 9,682

Road condition:   Paved to trailhead 

Day hike fishing: 1.5 miles on the Mosquito Flat Trailhead above Rock Creek Lake

Region: White Mountain Ranger District    Area/description: Rock Creek Canyon / Little Lakes Canyon / John Muir Wilderness

Lake size: 55 acres     Species: Rainbows, Browns and Brookies

Closest town or supplies: Rock Creek Lakes Resort; Bishop

Contacts: Rock Creek Lakes Lodge (760) 935-4311; Bishop Chamber of Commerce and

Visitor Center (760) 873-8405

Facilities: Lodge, marina, boat rentals, grocery store, bait and tackle, RV campground

Nearest campground: Rock Creek Campground

Fishing season: General        Best times: Late spring and fall; ice-out can be delayed after a bad winter.  A wilderness permit is required for over-night camping.

Tips: Fish the inlet and outlet

Favorite lures or bait: Use small lures such as Kastmasters, Daredevils and Panther-Martins.  Bring smaller lures, but have a variety of color combinations to entice both shallow and deep cruising trout. (See Category: Fishing Tips – Best Lures and Bait)

Favorite fly patterns: Good dry fly action or Fly & Bubble technique with small nymphs such as Hare’s Ear, Zug Bug, Bead-Head Prince Nymph, Pheasant Tail or a Tellico Shrimp. (See Category: Fishing Tips – Best Fly Patterns and Techniques)

Stocking information: 40,000 + 3 to 10lb. Alper trout. This is in addition to the private stocking program from the resort owners and the Mono County Fishing Enhancement Program. The record Brown for this lake is 15-lb., 8-oz.

Additional information: The paved road to the lake has the distinction of being the highest paved road in the state at 10,150 feet.  The lake does not receive as much pressure as Convict Lake, nor does it have the winds that Convict Lake produces.  It is a popular lake with float tubers.

Directions:  From Highway 395 in Bishop, drive 22 miles north.  Turn left on Rock Creek Lake Exit and drive nine miles to the lake.

Map courtesy of mytopo.com.