04-21-2005, 02:36 PM
Another Banner Season Ahead as Eastern Sierra Trout Opener Set for April 30
Hundreds of thousands of rainbow, brook, brown, cutthroat and golden trout are stocked and wait in dozens of accessible rivers, lakes and streams along Highway 395, as anglers across the state eagerly prepare for this year’s Eastern Sierra trout opener. One hour before sunrise on Saturday, April 30, all waters in Inyo and Mono counties open to anglers with a valid 2005 freshwater fishing license.
The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) reminds anglers heading to the Eastern Sierra to come prepared for wintry conditions regardless of weather forecasts.
“The weather here in the Eastern Sierra is unpredictable this time of year,” said Mike Haynie, Deputy Manager of the DFG’s Eastern Sierra-Inland Deserts Region. “We are just transitioning from winter into spring. If it’s cold and windy it will make fishing more unpleasant. Or it could be a bluebird day with lots of sun. It’s hard to predict.”
While several waters will be planted prior to the opener, accessibility will play a major role in how many rivers, creeks, lakes and reservoirs can be stocked before opening day. The DFG is making every effort to stock trout in all accessible waters prior to the season opener and intends to do so if conditions warrant.
“We will do our best to stock all available roadside waters, though it’s subject to change at any time,” Haynie said. “We will be stocking the weeks before the opener and, of course, after the opener as well.”
Lakes, creeks and streams that will be planted include, among others, Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Big Pine Creek, June Lake, Bridgeport Reservoir, Twin Lakes (Bridgeport), Convict Creek, Convict Lake, and the North and South Fork of Bishop Creek. Gull Lake, Silver Lake, Grant Lake and Lundy Lake are questionable at this time.
Unfortunately, due to access issues and frozen lakes the DFG won’t be able to plant several waters. These include: South Lake, Lake Sabrina, and North Lake in the Bishop Creek Drainage; Lake Mary, Lake Mamie, Horseshoe Lake, Twin Lakes and Lake George in the Mammoth Lakes Loop; Sotcher Lake and Starkweather Lake in the San Joaquin Drainage; Tioga Lake, Ellery Lake and Saddlebag Lake in the Lee Vining Creek Drainage; and Trumbull and Virginia Lakes in the Virginia Creek Drainage.
Crowley Lake should be the most popular fishing spot again this year. It’s estimated that 8,000 anglers will catch up to 50,000 rainbow trout on opening weekend at Crowley. While results can differ depending on weather conditions, limits are common for anglers applying various techniques. Last year, the DFG stocked more than 350,000 trout into Crowley. Those fish will be available to anglers this season. All persons age 16 and older must possess a valid California fishing license to fish within the state's borders. For 2005, a standard freshwater fishing license is $33.35 and can be purchased at regional DFG offices or authorized dealers. Anglers must wear their license visibly above the waist.
For weekly updates on fish planting throughout the state, visit the DFG's website at [url "http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fishplant/index.html"]http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fishplant/index.html[/url] or call:
Sacramento Valley - Central Sierra Region
(916) 351-0832
South Coast, and Eastern Sierra and Inland Deserts Region
(562) 590-5020
While most lakes, rivers and streams have a limit of five trout per day and 10 in possession, there are many exceptions to the general rules and regulations regarding season opening and closing dates, bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits and gear restrictions. For a specific body of water consult the DFG's free 2005 California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulation booklet, found online at [url "http://www.fgc.ca.gov/html/fishregs.html"]http://www.fgc.ca.gov/html/fishregs.html[/url].
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Hundreds of thousands of rainbow, brook, brown, cutthroat and golden trout are stocked and wait in dozens of accessible rivers, lakes and streams along Highway 395, as anglers across the state eagerly prepare for this year’s Eastern Sierra trout opener. One hour before sunrise on Saturday, April 30, all waters in Inyo and Mono counties open to anglers with a valid 2005 freshwater fishing license.
The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) reminds anglers heading to the Eastern Sierra to come prepared for wintry conditions regardless of weather forecasts.
“The weather here in the Eastern Sierra is unpredictable this time of year,” said Mike Haynie, Deputy Manager of the DFG’s Eastern Sierra-Inland Deserts Region. “We are just transitioning from winter into spring. If it’s cold and windy it will make fishing more unpleasant. Or it could be a bluebird day with lots of sun. It’s hard to predict.”
While several waters will be planted prior to the opener, accessibility will play a major role in how many rivers, creeks, lakes and reservoirs can be stocked before opening day. The DFG is making every effort to stock trout in all accessible waters prior to the season opener and intends to do so if conditions warrant.
“We will do our best to stock all available roadside waters, though it’s subject to change at any time,” Haynie said. “We will be stocking the weeks before the opener and, of course, after the opener as well.”
Lakes, creeks and streams that will be planted include, among others, Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Big Pine Creek, June Lake, Bridgeport Reservoir, Twin Lakes (Bridgeport), Convict Creek, Convict Lake, and the North and South Fork of Bishop Creek. Gull Lake, Silver Lake, Grant Lake and Lundy Lake are questionable at this time.
Unfortunately, due to access issues and frozen lakes the DFG won’t be able to plant several waters. These include: South Lake, Lake Sabrina, and North Lake in the Bishop Creek Drainage; Lake Mary, Lake Mamie, Horseshoe Lake, Twin Lakes and Lake George in the Mammoth Lakes Loop; Sotcher Lake and Starkweather Lake in the San Joaquin Drainage; Tioga Lake, Ellery Lake and Saddlebag Lake in the Lee Vining Creek Drainage; and Trumbull and Virginia Lakes in the Virginia Creek Drainage.
Crowley Lake should be the most popular fishing spot again this year. It’s estimated that 8,000 anglers will catch up to 50,000 rainbow trout on opening weekend at Crowley. While results can differ depending on weather conditions, limits are common for anglers applying various techniques. Last year, the DFG stocked more than 350,000 trout into Crowley. Those fish will be available to anglers this season. All persons age 16 and older must possess a valid California fishing license to fish within the state's borders. For 2005, a standard freshwater fishing license is $33.35 and can be purchased at regional DFG offices or authorized dealers. Anglers must wear their license visibly above the waist.
For weekly updates on fish planting throughout the state, visit the DFG's website at [url "http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fishplant/index.html"]http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fishplant/index.html[/url] or call:
Sacramento Valley - Central Sierra Region
(916) 351-0832
South Coast, and Eastern Sierra and Inland Deserts Region
(562) 590-5020
While most lakes, rivers and streams have a limit of five trout per day and 10 in possession, there are many exceptions to the general rules and regulations regarding season opening and closing dates, bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits and gear restrictions. For a specific body of water consult the DFG's free 2005 California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulation booklet, found online at [url "http://www.fgc.ca.gov/html/fishregs.html"]http://www.fgc.ca.gov/html/fishregs.html[/url].
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