Here’s your Eastern Sierra Fishing Report for 10-21-25. A cold shot of winter rolled through the area dropping a few inches of snow at 6800′ and a bit more at higher elevations. Nighttime lows are now in the 30’s in Mono County and we are seeing daytime temperatures in the 60’s. The fall colors are out all over the sierra, with red, orange, and yellow dominating the quaking aspen leaves. Water temperatures have been dropping rapidly with the cold snap and fish have started their move into the rivers and creeks. On Crowley Lake, this fish are still feeding on midges and bird’s nest patterns but they have scattered out around the lake. The final day to fish Crowley Lake by boat will be 10/26. The gate will close at noon for entry, but you can fish here until dark and the exit gate will remain open. Most of the fish are now holding deeper in the 12-16′ range. Sandy Pt, Alligator Pt, and Christmas Bay have been decent for rounding up some morning trout. The lake will be open to fish from shore or from a float tube until November 15. The Upper Owens River from the bridge downstream to the lake will also be open until then. The deeper pools and undercuts are already holding some quality fish. The standard attractor patterns are getting them to bite. Hot Creek has been decent in both sections and have not been too crowded, so it’s a good choice to get away from crowded areas. Most of the lakes in the area have pulled their docks and have closed for the season so launch ramp access is limited or closed. This is a great time of year to target those monster brown trout around the inlets of all the lakes in the area. Pulling streamers around these zones can yield some rewarding catches. The Lower Owens wild trout section and drift boat sections are primed right now for great fishing. Access is excellent as the flows here have dropped to 98 cfs. This is ideal for easy wading and access to most areas of the river.
Lakes: Sierra Fishing Report
Crowley Lake has entered fall mode. It can be hit or miss each October and you never know how it will play out until we get there. The fish have spread out all over the lake now, but some key zones for productivity have been Sandy Pt., Alligator Pt., Layton Springs, Christmas Bay and Six Bays. Midges fished tight to the bottom are doing the trick and there are a mixed bag of fish sizes from 6″ – 23″ being caught now.
Mammoth Lakes Basin and the June Lakes area have been fishing well pulling streamers from a float tube. The Twin Lakes have been fairly consistent with most fish being found around the inlets, larger streamers are working well now with nymphs fished close the bottom in deeper zones getting takes. Pulling streamers at most of the inlets is a good bet now as the fall spawning fish are getting ready to move up out of the lake for the spawn.
Creeks: Sierra Fishing Report
Hot Creek midges are still going strong in the mornings. Switch to nymphing by late morning and into the afternoon. Water is clear and low so spotting fish is easy in the Interpretive Site. Down in the canyon you can see some too, but there are more places for the fish to conceal themselves. Smaller nymphs in the #18-20 range are working along with egg patterns.
Rivers: Sierra Fishing Report
Upper Owens River flows have risen to 100 cfs and fishing is good for larger fish now and smaller resident fish. The first push of rainbows and browns have trickled their way in and with the section below the bridge open until November 15, there is a lot of water to cover. With higher flows, come more holding areas for trout, so covering every nook and pool is a good strategy. Attractor patterns like eggs, glo-bugs, SJ Worms, SD Crawlers, Leeches, PT’s, Hare’s Ears and Assassins are finding fish.
Lower Owens River flows are ideal now at 98 cfs. This is an excellent level for accessing the river without too much trouble wading. Seek out the deeper sections, drop offs, pools, undercuts, or any transition zone that has a dramatic change in water texture. Get the flies down deep for the larger fish. Tight line nymphing and indicator rigs are great right now at these levels.
Thanks for reading our Eastern Sierra Fishing Report 10-21-25.
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