South Fork Bishop Creek / Bishop Area

Name of creek: South Fork Bishop Creek

Road condition:   Paved    

Region: White Mountain Ranger District (760) 876-6200  Drainage: Bishop Canyon Lakes

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: South Lake, Sabrina Lake, Intake II Pond,  North Lake

Additional information: South Lake and South Lake Trailhead (Hurd lake, Marie Louise, Bull Lake, Long Lake, Treasure Lakes

Directions: Turn left on Highway 168 from Highway 395 in Bishop.  Follow Highway 168 for fifteen miles.  Turn left on South Lake Road and proceed seven miles to the lake.

Map courtesy of mytopo.com.