Sierra Mountain Fishing
The Sierra, 2015 – As March roars in with new snowfall for the mountains, anglers of all ages prepare to cast their lines in their favorite Sierra lakes and streams. And although several lakes in the Sierra are open year round for fishing, the standard California opening season begins April 1 in most places. Nevada opened on March 1.
Through out the year in the Sierra local communities and agencies take the opportunity to invite anglers to their shores for a little derby action & stories of ones that got away, all in the spirit of looking for the next great catch.
The Sierra are teaming with a variety of fish: Trout, Mackinaw, Steelhead, Kokanee Salmon, Bass, Crappie, Catfish can all be found in various places in the Sierra. Fish Stocking and Native fish species vary based on location in the Sierra.
Five species of trout are present in Sierra.
There are many great services and lake resort locations that provide excellent tips on local fishing. Local fishing experts such as Don Quilici Editor of Fishing the California Alps and writer for the Carson Valley Times & Carson Now online newspapers. We at Sierra REC suggest you check in with the local area you’re wanting to fish for up to date reports and local license requirements.
In the mean time we want to provide you with a list know Fishing Derby’s / Contests that are scheduled in the Sierra for 2015 so you can make plans to join in the fun.
Here are a list of known fishing derby’s in the Sierra in 2015:
January 1-April 12, 2015 – Topaz Lodge Fishing Derby – Cash Prizes Weekly.
March Fishing Derby’s
March 7, 2015 – Southern Inyo Early season Trout Derby
March 14th, 2015 Blake Jones Trout Derby – Pleasant Valley Reservoir near Bishop
April Fishing Derby’s
April 18 Lassen Sportsmen’s Club “25th Annual Junior Fishing Derby” registration 5am – 9am, Susanville Memorial Park. For more info, call Don (530)339-2153 or Jim (530)251-6828.
April 25 – Fishmas Day Celebration at Tom’s Place – Tom’s Place. A fun-filled fishing derby with cash prizes, 50/50 raffle for cash, and lots of contest categories. Advance registration required. Contact (760) 935-4239 /www.TomsPlaceResort.com
April 25 – Fred J. Hall Memorial Opening Day “Big Fish” Contest – Crowley Lake. No entry fee — just bring your opening day catch to Crowley Lake Fish Camp Tackle shop for prizes and fame. Contact 760-935-4301 /www.CrowleyLakeFishCamp.com/.
April 25 – Monster Fish Contest – June Lake Loop – Prizes will be awarded for biggest trout caught by a local resident, biggest trout caught by a chile, biggest trout caught by a woman, and the ugliest trout entered. Contactwww.JuneLakeLoop.com.
April 25 – 26 – Mono Village Fishing Opener Derby – Upper Twin Lakes, Bridgeport. Cash and merchandise prizes given in several categories. Registration fee required. Contact (760) 932-7071 /www.MonoVillage.com.
April 25 through November 15 – Gull Lake Marina “Fish of the Month Club” Derby – June Lake Loop. Cash prizes are awarded for the biggest catch from Gull Lake every month of fishing season! Entry fee is just $5. Plus, rent a boat from the marina and catch a fish over 3lbs., and you get to spin the Wheel of Prizes! For information call Gull Lake Marina at (760) 648-7539 or www.GullLakeMarina.com.
April 25 through November 15 – Bridgeport Locals Only Fishing Tournament – Bridgeport Reservoir. Visitwww.BridgeportReservoir.com.
April 26- June 12 – “Round-up at the Lake” Spring Fishing Derby – Convict Lake. Cash prizes up for grabs; advance registration required. Contact (800) 992-2260.
May Fishing Derby’s
May 16- 17, 2015 – Jim Hall Memorial Trout Classic – Bear Lake – a family oriented event with two divisions for the kids between the ages of five (5) and fifteen (15). The kids of participants vie for 1st through 3rd places and have a chance at winning rods and reels and trophies. Contact 909-585-4007 Or E-mail: Jacque@maytroutclassic.com http://www.maytroutclassic.com/
May 17, 2015 – Graeagle Junior Fishing Derby – from 7:30 am until 12 Noon at the Graeagle Millpond. This is a free event that offers an outdoor experience for young children and young families. A limited amount of free equipment is available. If you have your own fishing equipment please bring it with you. For more information call Cindy at 530-249-0444 or Tim at 530-8360-2828. http://www.graeagle.com/announcements/junior-fishing-day
June Fishing Derby’s
June 5-7 – “Hangman’s Bonus Derby” Convict Lake – Convict Lake. Cash prizes up for grabs; advanced registration required. Contact (800) 992-2260.
June 6th 2015, “Fishing for $50,000 Trout Derby” – Bear Lake Ca. – Bear Lake, Enter to catch a tagged trout worth $50,000 plus many more prizes and raffles. Prizes for the remaining 14 tagged trout caught are eligible for a cash prize of $150 per tagged trout. “Weigh in Your Trout” contest awards cash prizes for biggest trout caught in adult M/F and child M/F categories. Contact: Tel: (800) 424-4232 Website: www.bigbear.com
June 14, 2015 – Lake Davis Spring Fishing Derby – Graeagle Plumas Alliance presents the Lake Davis Spring Fishing Derby. A Fund Raiser for Water Rescue Equipment for the Eastern Plumas Rural Fire Protection District that happens over Father’s Day Weekend. Pre-registration $40 both days or $25 per day. On the
day of registration $45 both days or $30 per day from 6:00 am until 5:30 pm. For more information call Jeanne Graham at 530-832-0270. http://www.graeagle.com/announcements/lake-davis-spring-fishing-derby-1
June 20 – Rush Creek Clean-up and BBQ – Silver Lake Resort. Visit www.SilverLakeResort.net for more details.
June 20-21 – Fred Hall Father’s Day Fishing Tournament – Mammoth Lakes Basin. Be part of the Fred Hall tradition by participating in the Father’s Day Derby. Fish in the Mammoth Lakes Basin on June 20-21, 2015, then weigh your catch at Rick’s Sports Center at 3241 Main Street in Mammoth Lakes for a chance at winning an awesome prize package! For more info: 760-934-3416.
June 21 – Bridgeport Trout Tournament. An open derby with several categories, funds generated from this event help provide more trout for Bridgeport Reservoir and the East Walker River. Contact (760) 932-7525 /www.BridgeportFishEnhancement.com; or Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce at (760) 932-7500 /www.BridgeportCalifornia.com.
June 27 – Department of Fish & Wildlife’s Trout Fest – Hot Creek Hatchery. Free for kids, instruction, activities, casting lessons, insect display and more. Event is from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. For more information, contact (559) 765-4824.
June 27 – July 6 – Mono Village 4th of July Fishing Derby – Upper Twin Lakes, Bridgeport. Cash and merchandise prizes given in several categories. Registration fee required. Contact (760) 932-7071 /www.MonoVillage.com.
July Fishing Derby’s
July 1-31 – How Big is Big Fishing Derby – West Walker River. Sponsored by the communities of Walker, Coleville and Topaz, and the Northern Mono Chamber of Commerce, the 9th Annual How Big is Big Fishing Derby runs for the entire month of July. No entry fee — just bring your fish in to the Walker General Store, and your catch will be weighed and recorded. Lots of prizes. Contact (530) 208-6078 / www.NorthernMonoChamber.com.
July 4 – Free Fishing Day. Come and fish for FREE in Mono County! All regulations still apply and Report Cards are required — but Fishing Licences are waived on this day (and again on September 6, 2010). For more information on Mono County fishing regulations, contact the California Department of Fish & Game at (760) 934-2664 or http://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Fishing/Free-Fishing-Days.
July 19, 2015 – Packer Lake Kids Fishing Derby–
Packer Lake is having their annual Kid’s Fishing Day on Saturday, July 19 at 8 am to Noon. Expect to have a lot of family friendly fun including:
- Family Fishing at Packer Lake,
- Limited fishing gear available, bring your own or borrow Packer Lake’s gear
July 25 – Kids Fishing Festival- Snowcreek Resort Mammoth Lakes – Kids under 12 can catch an Alpers trout at snowcreek ponds. Event T-shirts, prizes. Contact (760) 937-2942 or www.KidsFishFest.com.
August Fishing Derby’s
August 1-9 – Mono Village Summer Fishing Derby – Upper Twin Lakes, Bridgeport. Cash and merchandise prizes given in several categories. Registration fee required. Contact (760) 932-7071 /www.MonoVillage.com.
August 7-9 – “Size Doesn’t Matter” Fishing Derby – West Walker River, 3 day event with tagged fish bounties worth prizes and cash. Entry stamps must be purchased in advanced and are available at local business in Walker. Contact (530) 208-6078 or www.northernmonochamber.com
August 22 – Crowley Lake Stillwater Classic – Crowley Lake. Contact 760-935-4301 /www.CrowleyLakeFishCamp.com/.
August 29 – September 8 – Mono Village Labor Day Fishing Derby – Upper Twin Lakes, Bridgeport. Cash and merchandise prizes given in several categories. Registration fee required. Contact (760) 932-7071 /www.MonoVillage.com
September Fishing Derby’s
September 1 – November 15 – “Ambush at the Lake” Fall Fishing Derby – Convict Lake. Catch a tagged fish at the Convict Lake Fall Fishing Derby Series and win thousands of dollars in cash and prizes! Contact (800) 992-2260.
September 2015 – 14th Annual South Lake Tahoe Moose Lodge Kids’ Fishing Derby.
September 5 – Free Fishing Day. Come and fish for FREE in Mono County! All regulations still apply and Report Cards are required — but Fishing Licences are waived on this day. For more information on Mono County fishing regulations, contact the California Department of Fish & Game at 760-934-2664 orhttp://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Fishing/Free-Fishing-Days.
September 5 – June Lake Loop Big Trout Tournament – June Lake Loop. Contact www.JuneLakeLoop.com.
September 5 – Fishin’ Mission Foundation Western BBQ & Concert – Bridgeport. Contact www.Fishin-Mission-Foundation.org for tickets.
September 18-20 – The Fly Fishing Faire – Four fun-filled days of fly casting, fly tying, and lessons for the family. Beginners to advance with great prizes. Contact 951-415-9920 / www.SouthwestCouncilFFF.org.
October Fishing Derby’s
October 3-4 ,2015 The 11th annual Western Outdoor Big Bear Troutfest – There will be tens of thousands of dollars in cash and prizes at stake, trophies and prizes for adults big fish winners( men and women’s division), kids ( both boys and girls ), and the Big Bear community will as always roll out the red carpet for all the WON anglers! call Lori at (949) 366-0030, ext. 26. http://www.bigbearmarina.com/fishing/tournaments.html
October 30 – November 1 – Morrison’s Bonus Derby Weekend – Convict Lake. $2,000 Cash Bonus Derby Weekend. Contact 800-922-2260.
With such a large area and large number of lakes we are sure to have missed a few on this list. If you know of a derby or Tournament that needs to be added to this list please contact us at sierrarecinfo@gmail.com and we will be happy to add it to this post.
For more detailed fishing reports, maps and services check these quality Fishing Sites for local expert advice:
Dave’s Sierra Fishing
Don Q’s Fishing Report @ Caronvalleytimes.com or Carsonnow.org
Sierra REC Magazine is dedicated to sharing the events, news and adventure opportunities that exist in The Sierra Mountains. From Lassen Volcanic National Park to the North down through the Central Sierra and the Lake Tahoe Basin through the rugged eastern slopes of the Mono county and Yosemite National park to the southern tips near Sequoia National Park and the PCT trail. We invite you to share stories, trips and photos from your adventures in the Sierra. Please join us on Facebook, Twitter Google + and You-Tube or email us your events and photos at sierrarecinfo@gmail.com #goexplore
