Here’s your Eastern Sierra Fishing Report for 6-23-25. The runoff is finally tapering off for most freestone creeks in the region. They will eventually begin clearing up and stabilizing in flows. These past few days has brought plenty of wind and even a surprise freeze overnight in Long Valley. Yesterday’s morning low dropped to a chilly 31° in Long Valley and around 21° at Rock Creek Lake. It was a dry and windy cold front that has now passed but we will see temps in the 70’s around Crowley through Wednesday and then back to high pressure and warmer weather moving ahead. Crowley Lake has been hit or miss this last week with fish not really hanging around in any given area for too long. They have been holding deep in the 19-25′ range and sometimes deeper, but we are now starting to see some nice fish move into much shallower water. The Lower Owens River is running around 400 cfs and should hold here for a few more days before LADWP cuts back on the flows. Fishing will pick up here after that takes place. Hot Creek is starting to fish better each day as the spring/summer runoff comes to an end. The creek is starting to clear up a bit with deeper runs at the Interpretive Site and shallower weedy runs in the canyon. It’s a good time to take advantage of the late afternoon/evening fishing now as the sun stays out quite late this time of year and fishing can be very good. The Upper Owens River is starting to clear some downstream of the bridge, while water remained very low and clear above until the recent 20 cfs flow increase. More fish from below are starting to make their way upstream and the first few juvenile grasshoppers are starting to show up. The East Walker River is slower in the mile section but gets better the further downstream you go. Some algae is now present with some weeds so check your flies after every few drifts, especially if you are fishing with nymphs. The alpine lakes in Mammoth and June Lake are fishing well. Some larger trout are being caught float tubing and by boat. The inlets seem to be producing best with streamers and nymphs under an indicator.
Lakes: Sierra Fishing Report
Crowley Lake has been seeing some good days, some decent days, and some downright slower days as the fish headed deep for the month of June. 19-25′ feet seems to be the sweet spot. As we near July we are starting to see fish move into shallower water to feed. This will continue as the summer moves forward and it won’t be too long before the bulk of the fish in the lake can be fished for in water from 4 – 15′. Damselfly nymphs, callibaetis mayflies, and midges are the main food right now. The Sacramento Perch are gearing up for the spawn and will be delivering some high protein in the form of their young to the trout in the coming weeks. Using your sonar now is key to getting into the bite, as the fish are really spread out. In areas where they have been found, they are hanging around in specific spots, so moving around until you find them is sometimes necessary. A bit of algae is coming and going most days on the surface, but it hasn’t affected the fishing. Our dark and light assassins in sizes #14-16 have been good as an upper fly with our Blood Midge, Mud Candy, Copper Tiger, SD Chironomidge, and Puff O’ Smoke in sizes 16-20 as a bottom fly doing best. The north arm of the lake along with Big Hilton have been producing the best within the last day or so.
Bridgeport Reservoir’s water level is dropping now since the East Walker River flows have come down and the runoff is starting to slow down some. As we approach July, you’ll find good fishing in the channels. There are still fish holding deeper by Rainbow Pt. and the dam. Light and Dark Assassins and midges are best now.
Mammoth Lakes Basin area lakes 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, some damselflies are now showing in the mix so the streamer bite is getting better.
Rivers: Sierra Fishing Report
Upper Owens River flows have jumped up by 20 cfs or so which has moved a few fish from below the bridge upstream. Water clarity has been good above the Hot Creek confluence and even a few larger model browns and rainbows are holding in the deeper sections and undercut banks. The young grasshoppers are starting to show a bit and the dry fly action is picking up. The stocking continues downstream of the Benton Crossing Bridge every 2 weeks.
East Walker River flows have have dropped to 119 cfs. Fishing along the mile has been hit or miss. Although some fish have moved back into this section, the fish kill has taken its toll on the numbers here. Fishing is a bit better downstream of the mile currently.
Lower Owens River flows are remaining at 400 cfs, but flows should decrease after a few more days as the flushing of the Gorge will be nearing the end. Access to the Gorge is closed until flows decrease. Fishing will improve in the Wild Trout area after this.
Creeks: Sierra Fishing Report
Hot Creek flows are now starting to stabilize with less water coming in from Mammoth Creek. Best times to fish here are early mornings and late in the afternoon, but mid-day is looking more promising with the depletion of the snowpack. Seek out the slower water and edges, especially the undercut banks, as you will find a lot of fish taking up residence here. Flashy nymphs like flashback PT’s #16-20 and Flashback Hare’s Ears #16-20 will get noticed.
Thanks for reading our Eastern Sierra Fishing Report 6-23-25.
Check out our recent client catches:
Richard Sr. fished with Two Bug Doug and landed this stellar brown trout.
Richard Jr. got this nice rainbow trout while fishing with Two Bug Doug on Crowley Lake.
An algae bloom on Crowley Lake near Mammoth Lakes, CA.
Bill caught this rainbow trout while fishing with Doug R. on Crowley Lake.
Stephanie with a fine Crowley Lake rainbow trout while fishing with Two Bug Doug.
Lorraine fished with Two Bug Doug and scored this healthy brown trout for her first time fly fishing.
Stephanie with another nice rainbow trout.
Two Bug Doug took Eric out on the East Walker River and posted up this fat rainbow trout.
Travis scored this nice brown trout while fishing with Two Bug Doug on Crowley Lake.
Christian fished with Doug R. and scored this awesome rainbow trout on Crowley Lake.
Two Bug Doug took Tyler to Crowley Lake and got this awesome rainbow trout.
Dom fished with Two Bug Doug on Crowley Lake and got this hefty rainbow trout.
Joy fished with Two Bug Doug on Crowley Lake and got this bulky rainbow trout.
Bill fished with Doug R. and got this sweet brown trout.
Jalen stuck some nice rainbow trout on Crowley Lake while fishing with Doug R.
Ed fished with Doug R. and got this nice rainbow trout.
Crocket got into some good brown trout like this one while fishing with Doug R.
Doug R. doing the hold honors of this fine brown trout while guiding Steve on Crowley Lake.
Ben always gets the big rainbow trout with Doug R. on Crowley Lake.
Crocket with another solid brown trout.
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