IT’s The Annual Fishing Season Launch on the Eastern Sierra Starting Saturday
June Lakes CA – April 29, 2022 – The Lakes are stocked, the Skies look clear and the late season snow has draped the mountains. What else could you ask for on the opening weekend of fishing on the Eastern sierra front. Welcome to Fishmas 2022. “Fishmas” Kicks-Off 2022 Mono County Fishing Season – Opening Day Set for April 30th.
With all lakes and streams now Ice free and shorelines clear for fishing Mono county is prepped for a great fishing season. It is said that over $250000 in trout have been stocked or is planning to be stocked this spring in the Lakes and streams of Mono County. Visitors and locals alike will travel to their favorite spots for the kickoff of fishing season.
Where to Fish
In 2021, CDFW issued updated regulations for Mono County. The 18 “resort lakes,” including Crowley, Rock Creek (Lake), Convict, Lundy, Virginia Lakes, Bridgeport Reservoir, Twin Lakes (Bridgeport), the lakes of the June Lake Loop, and Mammoth Lakes Basin, retained the traditional “Fishmas” opening and closing dates (the last Saturday in April through November 15). However, all rivers and streams in Mono County now have special regulations pertaining to season start and end dates, hook and lure restrictions, fish size limits, and possession limits. Mono county has a great fishing resource page outlining places to explore if you are new to fishing the region: https://www.monocounty.org/things-to-do/fishing/
For a comprehensive list of the regulations issued in 2021, anglers should visit the CDFW website at: https://fgc.ca.gov/Regulations/2020-New-and-Proposed#3_00 and bookmark the smartphone regulation map at: https://apps.wildlife.ca.gov/sportfishingregs/.
Camping or Staying in the Area:
This year because of the late snow some camping areas may still be closed. Be sure to check out campground openings before you head out. Of course in Mono country there are many different areas for boondocking as well. Whether you are looking for a luxury mountain resort, a rustic cabin retreat, or a family friendly campground, Mono County has lodging options to suit your every need. Search by Bed and Breakfasts, Cabins and Chalets, Campgrounds, Condos, Hotels & Motels, Lodges & Inns, Resorts, Pet Friendly Accommodations and RV Parks. You can also search by location. We offer lodging in Benton, Bridgeport, Coleville, Convict Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining, Mammoth Lakes, Topaz and Walker.
Hero image courtesy of: Fishmas 2019 – Photo by Jeff Simpson Mono County Tourism (5).jpg
Updated INYO National Forest Access for the weekend: Aapril 29th update
Mono Lake Ranger District:
Roads open: Monitor Pass (Hwy 89), Lundy Lake Rd, Hwy 120 E (Benton), Hwy 158 June Lake Loop,
Bodie Road (SR 270), Hwy 120 W 3.5 miles west of Hwy 395.
Roads closed: Ebbetts Pass (Hwy 4), Sonora Pass (Hwy 108), Tioga Pass (120 W, 3.5 mi west of Hwy395),
Saddlebag Rd.
Campgrounds open: Glass Creek, Lower Lee Vining, Lundy Canyon (county), Silver Lake, Gull Lake, Oh
Ridge, June Lake, Aerie Crag.
Campgrounds closed: Tioga Lake, Junction, Ellery Lake, Big Bend, Saddlebag Lake Trailhead, Saddlebag
Lake, Sawmill Walk-in, Moraine, Aspen, Reversed Creek (Expected May 6th), Hartley, Obsidian Flat Group,
Upper Deadman, Lower Deadman, Big Springs.
The Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center is closed for the season.
Mammoth Ranger District
Roads open: Mammoth Scenic Loop.
Roads closed: Hwy. 203 (continuing to the Reds Meadow Rd.) at Mammoth Mountain Inn, Old Mammoth
Rd. to Lake Basin Rd., Lakes Basin Rd.
Campgrounds open: Mammoth Mtn. RV Park, Crowley (BLM) (no potable water or dump station),
Campgrounds closed: Old Shady, New Shady Rest (projected May 6th), Sherwin Creek, Pine Glen, Twin
Lakes, Pine City, Lake Mary, Lake George, Coldwater, Reds Meadow, Agnew Meadows Family, Agnew
Meadows Horse, Agnew Meadows Group Pumice Flat, Pumice Flat Group, Minaret Falls, Upper Soda.
The Devils Postpile Ranger Station is closed for the season.
ESIA is operating the bookstore at the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center Thursday-Monday, 8:00 am to
4:30 pm.
White Mountain Ranger District
Roads open: Rock Creek, Hwy 168, North Lake Rd., Sabrina Rd., South Lake Rd., Glacier Rd. (Big Pine Creek),
McGee Creek Rd., Pine Creek, Buttermilk Rd., White Mountain Rd. (not maintained in winter, travel at own
risk), Silver Canyon Rd. (4×4-high clearance, snow), Wyman Canyon Rd. (4×4-high clearance, snow), Big Pine
Canyon to upper lot (not maintained in winter, travel at own risk).
Road closed:
Campgrounds open: McGee Creek, Tuff, French Camp, Convict Lake, Big Pine Creek, Big Trees, Four Jeffrey
(no water), Forks (no water), Bishop Park (no water), Upper Sage Flat (no water), Lower Sage Flat (no
water), Pleasant Valley (County), Horton (BLM) (no potable water or dump station), Pleasant Valley Pit
(BLM, no water), Grandview (winter ops, no services, no fees), Bitterbrush, Baker Creek (County), Taboose
Creek (County), Tinnemaha Creek (County), Goodale (BLM, no water), Cedar Flat Group.
Campgrounds closed: Rock Creek, Mosquito Flat Backpacker, Rock Creek Group, Upper Pine Grove, Pine
Grove, East Fork, Palisade Group, Aspen Group (projected May 6th), Big Meadow (projected May 6th), Iris
Meadow (projected May 6th), Holiday, North Lake, Sabrina, Willow, Bishop Park Group, Mountain Glen,
Table Mountain Group, Intake 2, Clyde Glacier Group, Palisade Glacier Group.
The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center is closed for the season.
The White Mountain Public Lands Information Center in Bishop is closed, projected open on May 9th
.
Mt Whitney Ranger District
Roads open: Whitney Portal Rd., Foothill Road, Division Creek
Road closed: Onion Valley Rd., Horseshoe Meadow at the lower gate.
Campgrounds open: Lower Grays Meadow (no potable water), Upper Grays Meadow (no potable water),
Independence Creek (county), Tuttle Creek (BLM, no water, dump station closed), Portuguese Joe (county),
Diaz Lake (County), Kennedy Meadows with no services (no toilets, no water, no trash cans, no fee), Lone
Pine
Campgrounds closed: Onion Valley, Whitney Portal (projected May 2nd), Whitney Portal Trailhead
Campground (projected May 2nd), Whitney Portal Group (projected May 2nd), Cottonwood Lakes,
Cottonwood Pass, Horseshoe Meadows Equestrian.
The Eastern Sierra Visitor Center in Lone Pine is open with limited services.
The Inyo National Forest is not in fire restrictions.
Other Fishing Events
To see a list of all fishing events, please visit
https://www.monocounty.org/things-to-do/fishing/fishing-events/.
While a California Sport Fishing License is required of anyone 16 years of age and older, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) hosts two free fishing days each year where anglers can fish without a Sport Fishing License. The CDFW Free Fishing Days provide a great, low-cost way to give fishing a try. CDFW Free Fishing Days for 2022 are Saturday, July 2nd, and Saturday, September 3rd. Additional information on CDFW’s Free Fishing Days can be accessed at: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Fishing/Free-Fishing-Days.
