Bishop Area Fishing: January 2008 Archives
Road condition: Paved Paved to gravel Gravel/dirt road 4x4 road
Day hike fishing: Two
trails lead to separate high elevation lakes.
One trail leads to
Region: White Mountain Ranger District (760) 876-6200 Area/description: Bishop Creek drainage
Closest town or supplies: Parcher’s Resort and South Lake Landing (760) 872-0334
Contacts: Parcher’s Resort (760) 872-0334; South Lake Landing; : Bishop Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center (760) 873-8405; Barret’s Outfitters (760) 872-3830; Brock’s Flyfishing Specialists (760) 872-3581; Culver’s Sporting Goods (760) 872-8361; Mac’s Sporting Goods (760) 872-9201
Facilities: Lodge, marina, grocery store, bait and tackle; boat launch
Nearest campground: Four Jeffrey
Fishing season: General Best times: Spring and fall
Tips: Because the
banks are steep and access to the shoreline is limited,
Stocking information: 24,000 Rainbows
Additional
information:
Nearby fishing: Fish the outlet, which is Bishop Creek
Directions: Turn
left on Highway 168 from Highway 395 in Bishop.
Follow Highway 168 for fifteen miles.
Turn left on
Map courtesy of mytopo.com.
Name of creek: McGee Creek
Road condition: Paved
Region: Near
Description: A small, shallow creek with few pools
Species: Stocked Rainbows
Closest town or supplies: Tom’s Place
Contacts:
Nearest campground: Gee Creek; McGee Creek RV Park
Fishing season: General
Tips: Bait fishing downstream with salmon eggs, worms and Power Bait is popular.
Favorite lures or bait: Most Sierra creeks are too small to fish effectively with lures and spinners. Your best bet is to poke and dab using salmon eggs or worms. Small weighted jig patterns, especially grubs and very small tube worms work very well, and do not over look live terrestrials if they are allowed. If you are partial to lures bring along small Panther-Martins in a variety of colors. (See Category: Fishing Tips – Best Lures and Bait)
Favorite fly patterns: Using a poke and dab presentation, small Woolly Buggers, Girdle Bugs, Yuk Bugs and terrestrial patterns always work well on creeks. Dry fly patterns include Royal Wulffs, Parachute Adams, Humpies, Renegades, Stimulators, hoppers, ants, beetles and sometimes a Bead-head San Juan Worm. (See Category: Fishing Tips – Best Fly Patterns and Techniques. Also read the article on fishing creeks if you are new to the sport of angling.)
Stocking information: 10,000
Nearby fishing:
Additional
information: This little creeks gets much less pressure than surrounding
creeks. It is a good respite from summer
heat or strong winds pummeling
Directions: From
Highway 395 in Bishop, drive 28 miles to
Map courtesy of mytopo.com.
Photo courtesy of David Neal, www.reelmammothadventures.com
Name of river:
From
Road condition: Paved to trailhead Hike difficulty: Mostly easy
Day hike fishing: 1.5
miles on the Mosquito Flat Trailhead above
Region: White
Mountain Ranger District Area/description:
Closest town or supplies: Rock Creek Lakes Resort; Bishop
Contacts:
Facilities: Lodge, marina, grocery store, bait and tackle, coin-laundry, coin-showers, RV campground
Nearest campground: Rock Creek Campground
Fishing season: General Best times: Late spring and fall
Tips: Fish the 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:
Additional
information:
Nearby fishing:
Directions: From
Bishop take Highway 395 nine miles to the
Road condition: Paved to trailhead Hiking difficulty: Mostly easy
Day hike fishing: 1.5
miles on the Mosquito Flat Trailhead above
Region: White
Mountain Ranger District Area/description:
Closest town or supplies: Rock Creek Lakes Resort; Bishop
Contacts:
Facilities: Lodge, marina, grocery store, bait and tackle, coin-laundry, coin-showers, RV campground
Nearest campground: Rock Creek Campground
Fishing season: General Best times: Late spring and fall
Tips: Note: Just before
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:
Additional
information:
Nearby fishing:
Directions: From
Bishop take Highway 395 nine miles to the
Road condition: Paved to trailhead Hike difficulty: Mostly easy
Day hike fishing: 1.5
miles on the Mosquito Flat Trailhead above
Region: White
Mountain Ranger District Area/description:
Closest town or supplies: Rock Creek Lakes Resort; Bishop
Contacts:
Facilities: Lodge, marina, grocery store, bait and tackle, coin-laundry, coin-showers, 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:
Additional
information:
Nearby fishing: Heart,
Chickenfoot and
Directions: From
Bishop take Highway 395 nine miles to the
Road condition: Paved to trailhead
Day hike fishing: 1.5
miles on the Mosquito Flat Trailhead above
Region: White
Mountain Ranger District Area/description:
Closest town or supplies: Rock Creek Lakes Resort; Bishop
Contacts:
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
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.
Name of creek: Rock Creek
Road condition: Paved
Region: White
Mountain Ranger District Drainage:
Description: A small creek with a variety of holding water
Species: Planted Rainbows with some wild Browns and Brookies
Closest town or
supplies:
Contacts: Rock Creek Lakes Resort, marina, general store, bait and tackle, cabins, restaurant (760) 935-4311; Bishop Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center (760) 873-8405; Barret’s Outfitters (760) 872-3830; Brock’s Flyfishing Specialists (760) 872-3581; Culver’s Sporting Goods (760) 872-8361; Mac’s Sporting Goods (760) 872-9201
Nearest campground: Rock Creek Campground; East Fork Campground; Palisade Campground; Big Meadow Campground; Iris Meadow Campground; French Camp; Tuff Campground
Fishing season:
General
Tips:
Favorite lures or bait: Most Sierra creeks are too small to fish effectively with lures and spinners. Your best bet is to poke and dab using salmon eggs or worms or Power Bait. Small weighted jig patterns, especially grubs and very small tube worms work very well, and do not over look live terrestrials if they are allowed. If you are partial to lures bring along small Panther-Martins in a variety of colors. (See Category: Fishing Tips – Best Lures and Bait)
Favorite fly patterns: Using a poke and dab presentation, small Woolly Buggers, Girdle Bugs, Yuk Bugs and terrestrial patterns always work well on creeks. Dry fly patterns include Royal Wulffs, Parachute Adams, Humpies, Renegades, Stimulators, hoppers, ants, beetles and sometimes a Bead-head San Juan Worm. (See Category: Fishing Tips – Best Fly Patterns and Techniques. Also read the article on fishing creeks if you are new to the sport of angling.)
Stocking information: 36,000
Nearby fishing:
Additional
information:
Directions: From
Bishop take Highway 395 nine miles to the
Map courtesy of mytopo.com.
Name of creek: Pine
Creek
Road condition: Paved
Region: White
Mountain Ranger District Drainage:
Description: A small, shallow creek with lots of brush and trees; blown out during spring run-off
Species: Stocked Rainbows and some wild Browns and Brookies
Closest town or supplies: Bishop
Contacts: Bishop
Chamber of Commerce and
Nearest campground: Horton Creek (a canyon creek south of Pine Creek)
Fishing season:
General: Opening day is the last Saturday in April
Tips:
Favorite lures or bait: Most Sierra creeks are too small to fish effectively with lures and spinners. Your best bet is to poke and dab using salmon eggs or worms or Power Bait. Small weighted jig patterns, especially grubs and very small tube worms work very well, and do not over look live terrestrials if they are allowed. If you are partial to lures bring along small Panther-Martins in a variety of colors. (See Category: Fishing Tips – Best Lures and Bait)
Favorite fly patterns: Using a poke and dab presentation, small Woolly Buggers, Girdle Bugs, Yuk Bugs and terrestrial patterns always work well on creeks. Dry fly patterns include Royal Wulffs, Parachute Adams, Humpies, Renegades, Stimulators, hoppers, ants, beetles and sometimes a Bead-head San Juan Worm. (See Category: Fishing Tips – Best Fly Patterns and Techniques. Also read the article on fishing creeks if you are new to the sport of angling.)
Stocking information: Pine Creek is no longer stocked, but the creek still sustains wild trout populations.
Nearby fishing: Rock
Creek,
Additional information:
Directions: From
Highway 395 in Bishop, drive fifteen miles and turn left (west) on
Map courtesy of mytopo.com.
Name of river:
Road condition: Paved
Region: Bishop
Description: The
Wild Trout Section begins from the footbridge below the campground for 4.4
miles. It is a catch-and-release fishery
requiring barbless flies and lures. The
river is fast flowing during the spring and even into the summer. Best fished from a boat, the Wild Trout
Section offers prolific hatches, lots of bank vegetation and an abundance of
fat trout, particularly big, fat Browns.
Popular in the spring before run-off and again in the fall, most
devotees prefer manageable flows less than 300 CFS (cubic feet per second). Reached from
Closest town or supplies: Bishop
Contacts: Bishop
Chamber of Commerce and
Nearest campground: Pleasant Valley Reservoir
Fishing season: Year-round
Tips:
Favorite lures or bait: Use lures such as Kastmasters, Thomas Buoyants and Panther-Martins. Bait fishermen will need weight to get to the bottom. As the river becomes thick with weed growth as temperatures rise, fly anglers have an advantage.
Favorite fly patterns: Dry fly action in the spring and early summer consists mostly of Caddis hatches as well as some mayfly hatches, particularly baetis and trico hatches in late summer and fall. Popular nymphing techniques and patterns work well throughout the summer, and streamers work best in the fall.
Stocking information: 66,000 +
Nearby fishing: Pleasant Valley Reservoir
Additional
information:
Directions: From
Bishop take Highway 395 north for 7 miles.
Turn right on
Map courtesy of mytopo.com.
Road condition: Paved
Day hikes to fishing:
Region: White Mountain Ranger District Area/description: Pleasant Valley
Closest town or supplies: Bishop
Contacts: Bishop
Chamber of Commerce and
Facilities: Primitive campground at the parking area
Nearest campground: Pleasant Valley Campground
Boating: No boating allowed; no swimming; float tubes are accepted
Fishing season: General Best times: spring or fall (high summer temperatures)
Tips: Fish the dam area or pack in a float tube for best results
Favorite lures or bait: Kastmasters, Thomas Buoyants, Panther Martins, Power Bait (See Category: Fishing Tips – Best Lures and Bait)
Favorite fly patterns: For the best information, contact Brock’s Fly Fishing Specialist in Bishop at (760) 872-3581 (See Category: Fishing Tips – Best Fly Patterns and Techniques)
Stocking information: 33,000+; the Bishop Chamber of Commerce also stocks the hefty Alpers Rainbow trout every other Saturday in March to load up the reservoir for their annual Blake Jones Fishing Derby.
Additional information: From the parking area, take the trail approximately ¼ mile. Many anglers ride bicycles and pack float tubes along the gated road that leads to the inlet.
Nearby fishing:
Directions: From
Bishop take Highway 395 north for 7 miles.
Turn right on
Map courtesy of mytopo.com.
Road condition: Paved to gravel; a steep, narrow and windy road for 1.5 miles.
Day hike fishing:
Region: White Mountain
Ranger District (760) 876-6200 Area/description:
Bishop Creek drainage
Closest town or supplies: Local resorts or Bishop
Contacts: Parcher’s Resort (760) 872-0334; South Lake Landing; : Bishop Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center (760) 873-8405; Barret’s Outfitters (760) 872-3830; Brock’s Flyfishing Specialists (760) 872-3581; Culver’s Sporting Goods (760) 872-8361; Mac’s Sporting Goods (760) 872-9201
Facilities: Pack station
Nearest campground: North
Boating: No motorized boats; float tubes allowed
Fishing season: General Best times:
Tips: Fish the area with stumps.
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: 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: 11,000+
Additional information:
Nearby fishing: Bishop
Creek,
Directions: : From Highway 395 in Bishop, turn left (west) on Highway 168 (Line Street) and travel 17 miles to North Lake Road. Continue on the steep, narrow and windy road for approximately 1.5 miles.
Road condition: Paved road
Day hike fishing: Yes
Region: White Mountain Ranger District (760) 876-6200 Area/description: Bishop Creek drainage
Closest town or supplies: Area resorts or Bishop
Contacts: Parcher’s Resort (760) 872-0334; South Lake Landing; : Bishop Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center (760) 873-8405; Barret’s Outfitters (760) 872-3830; Brock’s Flyfishing Specialists (760) 872-3581; Culver’s Sporting Goods (760) 872-8361; Mac’s Sporting Goods (760) 872-9201
Facilities: Lodge, marina, grocery store, bait and tackle, boat launch
Nearest campground: Sabrina Campground
Boating: 15 mph speed limit
Fishing season: General Best times:
Tips: Popular spots include the inlet and the dam along with the feeder creeks from high mountain lakes.
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: 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)
Additional
information:
Nearby fishing: Bishop Creek
Directions: From
Highway 395 in Bishop, turn left (west) on Highway 168 (
Map courtesy of mytopo.com.
Road condition: Paved
Day hike fishing: Middle Fork of Bishop Creek
Region: White Mountain Ranger District (760) 876-6200 Area/description: Bishop Creek drainage
Species: Rainbow, Browns and some Brookies
Closest town or
supplies:
Contacts: Parcher’s Resort (760) 872-0334; South Lake Landing; : Bishop Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center (760) 873-8405; Barret’s Outfitters (760) 872-3830; Brock’s Flyfishing Specialists (760) 872-3581; Culver’s Sporting Goods (760) 872-8361; Mac’s Sporting Goods (760) 872-9201
Facilities: Wheelchair accessible fishing pier
Nearest campground: Intake and Intake Walk-in Campgrounds
Boating: Boating is restricted although float tubes are allowed
Fishing season: General
Tips: On winters with lots of snow pack, Intake II is often the only open water fishing in the canyon.
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: Fly & Bubble technique with small nymphs such as Hare’s Ear, Zug Bug, Bead-Head Prince Nymph, Pheasant Tail or a Tellico Shrimp or streamsers such as Woolly Buggers or an Olive Matukas (See Category: Fishing Tips – Best Fly Patterns and Techniques)
Stocking information: 16,000
Additional information: Intake II pond is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike
Nearby fishing: Bishop
Creek,
Directions: Follow
the
Map courtesy of mytopo.com.
Name of creek: Middle Fork Bishop Creek
Road condition: Paved
Region: White
Mountain Ranger District (760) 876-6200 Drainage:
Description: A small creek with good volume and pocket water. This creek gets probably the most pressure of all the surrounding creeks; however, it is heavily stocked throughout the season.
Species: Planted Rainbows with wild Browns and Brookies
Closest town or supplies: Bishop and lake resorts
Contacts: Parcher’s Resort (760) 872-0334; South Lake Landing; : Bishop Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center (760) 873-8405; Barret’s Outfitters (760) 872-3830; Brock’s Flyfishing Specialists (760) 872-3581; Culver’s Sporting Goods (760) 872-8361; Mac’s Sporting Goods (760) 872-9201
Nearest campground: Numerous
campgrounds in the
Fishing season:
General: Opens last Saturday in April
Tips: During the early season check road conditions for chain requirements.
Favorite lures or bait: Most Sierra creeks are too small to fish effectively with lures and spinners. Your best bet is to poke and dab using salmon eggs or worms. Small weighted jig patterns, especially grubs and very small tube worms work very well, and do not over look live terrestrials if they are allowed. If you are partial to lures bring along small Panther-Martins in a variety of colors. (See Category: Fishing Tips – Best Lures and Bait)
Favorite fly patterns: Using a poke and dab presentation, small Woolly Buggers, Girdle Bugs, Yuk Bugs and terrestrial patterns always work well on creeks. Dry fly patterns include Royal Wulffs, Parachute Adams, Humpies, Renegades, Stimulators, hoppers, ants, beetles and sometimes a Bead-head San Juan Worm. (See Category: Fishing Tips – Best Fly Patterns and Techniques. Also read the article on fishing creeks if you are new to the sport of angling.)
Stocking information: 35,000 + Alpers
Nearby fishing:
Additional
information:
Directions: Turn left on Highway 168 from Highway 395 in Bishop. Follow Highway 168 for seventeen miles until you reach the creek.
Road condition: Paved Paved to gravel Gravel/dirt road 4x4 road
Day hike fishing: Two
trails lead to separate high elevation lakes.
One trail leads to
Region: White Mountain Ranger District (760) 876-6200 Area/description: Bishop Creek drainage
Closest town or supplies: Parcher’s Resort and South Lake Landing (760) 872-0334
Contacts: Parcher’s Resort (760) 872-0334; South Lake Landing; : Bishop Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center (760) 873-8405; Barret’s Outfitters (760) 872-3830; Brock’s Flyfishing Specialists (760) 872-3581; Culver’s Sporting Goods (760) 872-8361; Mac’s Sporting Goods (760) 872-9201
Facilities: Lodge, marina, grocery store, bait and tackle; boat launch
Nearest campground: Four Jeffrey
Fishing season: General Best times: Spring and fall
Tips: Because the
banks are steep and access to the shoreline is limited,
Stocking information: 24,000 Rainbows
Additional
information:
Nearby fishing: Fish the outlet, which is Bishop Creek
Directions: Turn
left on Highway 168 from Highway 395 in Bishop.
Follow Highway 168 for fifteen miles.
Turn left on
Map courtesy of mytopo.com.
Name of creek: South Fork Bishop Creek
Road condition: Paved
Region: White
Mountain Ranger District (760) 876-6200 Drainage:
Description: A small creek with fair volume with pocket water
Species: Planted Rainbows with wild Browns and Brookies
Closest town or supplies: Bishop and lake resorts
Contacts: Parcher’s Resort (760) 872-0334; South Lake Landing; : Bishop Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center (760) 873-8405; Barret’s Outfitters (760) 872-3830; Brock’s Flyfishing Specialists (760) 872-3581; Culver’s Sporting Goods (760) 872-8361; Mac’s Sporting Goods (760) 872-9201
Nearest campground: Creekside RV Park; Highlands RV Park (Bishop)
Fishing season:
General: Opens last Saturday in April
Tips: During the early season check road conditions for chain requirements.
Favorite lures or bait: Most Sierra creeks are too small to fish effectively with lures and spinners. Your best bet is to poke and dab using salmon eggs or worms. Small weighted jig patterns, especially grubs and very small tube worms work very well, and do not over look live terrestrials if they are allowed. If you are partial to lures bring along small Panther-Martins in a variety of colors. (See Category: Fishing Tips – Best Lures and Bait)
Favorite fly patterns: Using a poke and dab presentation, small Woolly Buggers, Girdle Bugs, Yuk Bugs and terrestrial patterns always work well on creeks. Dry fly patterns include Royal Wulffs, Parachute Adams, Humpies, Renegades, Stimulators, hoppers, ants, beetles and sometimes a Bead-head San Juan Worm. (See Category: Fishing Tips – Best Fly Patterns and Techniques. Also read the article on fishing creeks if you are new to the sport of angling.)
Stocking information: 35,000 + Alpers
Nearby fishing:
Additional
information:
Directions: Turn
left on Highway 168 from Highway 395 in Bishop.
Follow Highway 168 for fifteen miles.
Turn left on
Map courtesy of mytopo.com.