Here’s your Eastern Sierra Fishing Report for 9-29-26. Just like that, the season has changed over to fall. We are seeing the first signs of the aspens turning color slightly. The higher elevations get colder, which trigger the leaves to turn yellow sooner and then the lower elevation trees follow a few weeks after. Not only have the trees gotten into fall mode, but so have the fish. The brown trout are already displaying amazingly vibrant colors. The nights are just above freezing now, but the day temps have been just right. 70’s in Crowley Lake with highs forecasted for the low 90’s in Bishop this week. The bite at Crowley Lake has been absolutely incredible these past couple of weeks. Huge numbers of fish have been congregating in McGee Bay and are on the feed like the game Hungry Hungry Hippos! You have to locate the big pods of fish though, as not every area of the lake is holding these amazing numbers of feeding fish. We still have a month to go before the lake closes to boats, so give us a buzz to get after some of these killer fish. The lake closes to boat fishing on October 25. The Upper Owens River is also starting to see some nice big rainbows around. They are not everywhere in the river yet, but cover some ground with the right presentation and you can be rewarded. Hot Creek is doing ok with dry dropper set ups being best since weeds are high and flows are low. The East Walker River flows have lowered to 139 cfs, which is still good for fall fishing. You might get that brown trout of a lifetime now if you go. The Lower Owens River is still on the high side with flows around 480 cfs as of this writing. Still too high for wading, but we may be splashing the drift boats soon down here.
Hot Creek Fishing Report September 29, 2026
Hot Creek flows are low this time of year, so fishing light or zero weighted rigs are a good bet now to prevent bottom and weed hang ups with your flies. Single fly sub-surface drifts with midges and very small nymphs are the standard now. Tenkara or tight line rigs are also effective and more efficient. Seek out the open lanes and don’t overlook the openings over weeds with some driftable water. The Interpretive Site can be better for some deeper pools and bigger fish too.
Upper Owens River Fishing Report September 29, 2026
TheUpper Owens River is starting to see some life again in the way of bigger fish. Don’t get hyper-focused on one area. Fish and work all sections of the river that may look like big fish are holding there… because they probably are. It’s not hot and heavy on the large rainbows and browns yet, but it’s starting to build now. The standard winter patterns are already getting some large fish. Water is clear so stealth approaches and presentations are key now. Eggs, Worm Imitations, PT’s, Leeches and Perch Fry can get you some big ones now.
Lower Owens River Fishing Report September 29, 2026
Lower Owens River flows are up and they have been for most of the summer. There hasn’t been much in the way of fishing pressure here due to the high flows. This is great news for the fall and winter months. Look for fishing to be pretty good here once the water level recedes. The drift boats will be plying the waters down here soon enough and the Wild Trout section will be primed and ready for some good number days on wild browns and rainbows.
East Walker River Fishing Report September 29, 2026
East Walker River flows have come down and this is a good time to hit the river and nab up a few of the nicer trophy size brown and rainbow trout. Go big with your flies this time of year. Throwing streamers is a great strategy currently for covering lots of water as there aren’t a ton of fish in the first couple miles. The dam can give up some quality right now though. Once flows drop lower here, the window will close as most of the river will be too shallow.
Crowley Lake Fishing Report September 29, 2026
Crowley Lake is on fire right now. Huge number days on fish have been taking place the last 10 days. As the numbers are starting to decrease some, the quality is still there. If you get on the right spot or area, you can get into an all day bite. Midges are the main meal in town now, but don’t overlook larger patterns like PT’s and Perch Fry. Some days we are getting quite a few fish on the upper larger fly, but mostly 70-80% of the fish on the lower midge. Bright and shiny patterns like the SD Chironomidge in #16-18 are crushing it in the mornings during the hatch and switching to Grey Water and Blood Midges later in the day has been best. McGee Bay, Layton Springs, Alligator Pt. and Green Banks have been holding fish. For streamers, Green Banks area has traditionally been good this time of year, but indicator rigs are also doing some damage. We still have until October 25 to fish the lake by boat.
Matt Fitzgerald took the boys up to the Upper Owens River and got into some nice large rainbow trout.
