Here’s your Eastern Sierra Fishing Report for 3-2-26. We finally got snow after a long dry period. The storm was so cold the snow level reached as far south as Big Pine for this one. Temperatures got bitterly cold after the storm rolled through, but the recent heat wave in California also hit in the eastern sierra. We had rain and quite the warm up that melted most of the snow away below 8,000′. This means the Upper Owens River lost most of its snow and is now a muddy swamp getting in and out. The snowmobiles are pretty much done for the season and we will be accessing the river by vehicle from here unless we get some more major and cold storms for March. As the sun angle gets higher with the winter tapering off, the chances for any measurable snow that will stick to the ground will be low. With the quickly melting snow, comes flooding on the river as the river has risen bringing water over the banks in some areas. This has definitely affected the trophy rainbow fishing and we will have to see how the bite is after the river starts to clear again. Moving over to Hot Creek, the BWO hatch has been building in the afternoons. This is the best bite during the day and the most fun. The Lower Owens River is definitely starting to come alive for spring which is typical this time of year. The hatch has been very good down here around 12-2pm. Before then, nymphing has been producing some nice sized fish. Crowley Lake will have plenty of water this year again which is great news. The ice is off the lake now, so this will give the fish an earlier than usual feeding window. The PCS Show in Orange County is just around the corner. March 5-8 at the OC Fairgrounds. Comes visit us at booth #323 in the Anaheim Building. We have T-shirts, hats, fly boxes and a free fly rod demo for beginners. Check it out here for more info.
Creeks: Sierra Fishing Report
Hot Creek Still snow here to get to both areas of the creek. Good plan now for getting away from crowds on the Upper Owens if you don’t mind doing a little walking. The mayfly hatch is building strength daily with the warmer weather. Fish earlier than later for clearer water before the warmth of the sun starts adding water in the form of melted snow to Mammoth Creek. Smaller nymphs are getting fish in the riffles and slow pools.
Rivers: Sierra Fishing Report
Upper Owens River flows are holding at 111 cfs and major snow melts have caused the river to rise, become off color, and has slowed the fishing. Once the river clears and settles, the fishing should pick up here. It’s a complete muddy swamp out here right now, so exercise caution if you don’t want to get bogged in the mud and snow. Some days the fish can be found, and other days it’s like they are not even there. Cover water now to find them as they have scattered with the rise in flows, drop in water temps, and stained water.
Lower Owens River flows are still great at 100 cfs. The bite has really turned the corner here recently. While the bite was decent over the last few weeks, with the warm weather change, the hatches abound, and perfect wading conditions, this is a good place to fish now. The window has been around 12-2pm but this may change slightly day to day. Smaller nymphs, like PT’s, Assassins, and Midges in #18-20 have been working well for browns and rainbows.
