East Fork of the Walker River / Bridgeport Area

East Fork of the Walker River

Road condition:   Paved, Highway 182 from the junction with Highway 395 to the Nevada border       

Region: Highway 182   Drainage: Bridgeport Reservoir

Description: Court cases have protected how much water draw-down will be allowed during drought cycles in order to protect both the trout and the insect life from the ruinous impact of flushing silt into this famous trophy trout stream.  The East Fork of the Walker River has made a comeback since 1988, and once again it is joining the ranks of other famous trout streams throughout the West.  Although the East Fork produces big trophy browns, they are not easily caught, as the water is swift, the rocks are slippery and the shore is lined with heavy brush.  Aggressive wading is the norm.  Pressure is most heavy at the outlet of Bridgeport Reservoir, where a large pool congregates spawning Rainbows in the spring and Brown trout in the fall.  It is here where anglers sling hardware in the hopes of catching a huge Brown trout.  From this large pool downstream for 1.5 miles, the East Walker generally holds the largest rainbows and browns.  Further downstream towards the Nevada border, the fish become fewer in number and smaller in size, but with some hefty exceptions to keep anglers pounding all the available access points along this eight mile section of river to the border.

Restrictions: Only artificial lures or flies may be used, and the hooks must be barbless.  At the Big Pool downstream for 1.5 miles special harvest regulations restrict anglers to one fish over 18-inches.  (Why would anyone kill such a beauty when they could take a photograph?)  From that point downstream to the Nevada border, the harvest limit is two fish, which must be a minimum length of 14-inches. 

Species: Brown trout and Rainbow trout

Closest town or supplies: Bridgeport

Contacts: Ken’s Sporting Goods (760) 932-7707; The Trout Fly (760) 934-2517

Nearest campground: Twin Lakes

Fishing season: Opens the last Saturday in April and closes early on October 31.

Fishing Tips:

Favorite lures:

Favorite fly patterns: Early summer patterns include Olive Matukas and Marabou Streamers with stout tippets and sink tip lines.  Later in the summer nymphing with strike indicators is popular using caddis nymph imitations.

Stocking information:

Nearby fishing: Bridgeport Reservoir, Green Creek, Twin Lakes

Additional information: Much of the access is across private land that is open to the public, but which may also be withdrawn when abuse takes place such as littering.

Directions: From the Junction with Highway 395 near Bridgeport, follow Highway 182 to the Bridgeport outlet. Highway 182 parallels the river eight miles to the Nevada border.