Fishing in the Mammoth Lakes Basin has always been a religious experience for me. The natural beauty is unprecedented, regardless of where you find yourself. Visit after visit, I find myself excited for the next time I can come back.
Mammoth Lakes Basin fishing is fun for the whole family; anyone with any skill set can enjoy it. Surrounded by the beauty of the Inyo National Forests, the Mammoth Lakes Basin is a premier area for trout anglers.
The Mammoth Lakes fishing is the dream of all trout anglers. Monster rainbows, gorgeous browns, and majestic golden trout call the Mammoth Lakes home. Mono County fishing season starts the last Saturday in April and ends November 15, but various catch-and-release waters stay open all year round.
When fishing in the Mammoth area, I like to find a campsite through Recreation.com near a body of water. One thing to note about Mammoth Lakes is that most campgrounds are nearby. Some are near the bike path that leads to town and other campgrounds.
I typically stay at Lake Mary’s campground, which is close to Twin Lakes, Lake Mamie, and Lake George. Most lakes host idyllic campsites within close walking distance of the lakes. All four lakes are stocked regularly throughout the season.
Around the Lake Mary and Lake Mamie area, Lake Mary Marina and Pokonobe Lodge and Marina provide anglers and recreationalists with last-minute supplies and advice on what the trout are biting on. Both offer kayak and motorboat rentals.
Pokonobe Lodge and Marina is a 1930s-vintage fishing lodge and boat launch on the north shore of Lake Mary, the largest freshwater lake in the Mammoth Lakes Basin. It is close to town and is considered a great base for exploring the Area.
Or, if you’re camping at Twin Lakes, visit the friendly staff at the Twin Lakes General store. Twin Lakes General Store also offers hot showers, boat rentals, an RV dump station, and a fish cleaning station. If you forget something, this place will probably have it.
I like camping at Lake Mary. It allows me plenty of places to fish while still being close to camp. Last time here, my buddy Carson caught a personal best.
On a cool autumn morning, the sun cresting the peaks, we stood in awe of Lake Mary and her regal shoreline as we sought our first fishing spot. Supplied with Kastmasters from Pokonobe Lodge and Marina, we came to an opening in the shoreline’s tree, so we spaced out and cast out.
Serendipity rewards the prepared angler. On Carson’s first casts, he starts shouting for me, “Bring the net, bring the next.” His brand-new Kastmaster pays off on his first cast of the day on an alpine lake where no one else is fishing.
Hesitation prevented me from reeling in my line. Since we were there to fish, it seemed silly to stop fishing. But his persistence in needing help caused me to reel in. His excitement and screaming reel warranted me to at least see what he had worked up.
Sometimes, as an angler, luck, and planning align, and the fishing gods smile at us with favor. Carson worked for ten to fifteen minutes on landing this monster. Soon, dorsal and tail struck the surface, revealing the size of this brute. He truly needed help because the trout burnt out the ball bearings in his reel, so he had to use muscle and grit to get this trout in so I could net it.
“I can’t believe how big this trout is! First cast, first catch of the day! I must have cast right on top of him,” stated Carson.
One would think Carson won the lottery with the size of his smile, as I should him, the beauty in the net. Some can go a lifetime and never see a trout this size, but I know I will go to the Mammoth Lakes Basin to look for monster trout.
Another fun lake I like to fish is Crowley. Crowley is a world-renowned alpine lake that holds trout anglers dream about. Fishing at Crowley can be done either from shore or by boat. Crowley offers 45 miles of shoreline, more than 5,000 surface acres, and depths over 100 feet. At twelve miles long and five miles wide, at its widest point, trout can grow big!
Daniel King shows off his catch at Twin Lakes near Bridgeport. COURTESY PHOTO
Crowley allows for large populations of trout. Anglers can find beautiful Rainbow and Brown trout at Crowley that will give you the fight of your life! Crowley Lake is world-class fishing in the gorgeous Eastern Sierra.
Trout fishing begins the last Saturday in April (known as “Fishmas”) and goes to July 31, allowing for daily bag limits of five trout. August 1 through November 15, Crowley’s regulations switch to only artificial lures, with a minimum size limit of 18 inches total length. Crowley’s fishing season closes November 16 through the last Friday in April.
Crowley Lake Fish Camp, at 1149 South Landing Road in Crowley Lake, is a great mountain store for boat rentals, fishing gear and information, and last-minute supplies. It is a full-service marina with a fleet of rental boats. Cabin rentals can be set up through Crowley Fish Camp, with three different options to choose from.
Whether you find yourself on an Eastern Sierra creek or alpine lake, the Mammoth Lakes Basin offers world-class fishing and family memories. For your next adventure, you will always be happy you chose to come to the Mammoth Lakes area.
Remember friends, tight lines and leave no trace.