Are you as excited as we are for Fishmas 2024 this weekend? If you’re not familiar with the holiday, Fishmas is the official opening day of the fishing season here in the Eastern Sierra. It typically falls on the last Saturday of April, this year being April 27. And we couldn’t be happier to dust off the fishing rods and get back out on the water after months of waiting for some great fishhing in Mammoth!
In this article, we’re celebrating the many ways that you can go fishing in Mammoth Lakes. No matter which fishing style you choose, Mammoth Lakes offers a great time for getting out there with other anglers on the weekend or any other time during the summer.
Spincasting or Baitcasting
One of the simplest ways to start fishing in Mammoth is by getting yourself a fishing rod, setting up a day camp on one of our many amazing lakes, and casting a line from the shore. You’ll see anglers in our area using both spincasting and baitcasting rods, and both can be successful here in Mammoth Lakes. Here’s a rundown of the difference between the two:
Baitcasting is a method of casting your line with the bait of your choice (here in the Eastern Sierra, the most popular are inflated Nightcrawlers), and waiting patiently for a trout to come along. Baitcasting rods are lightweight and accurate, making them a good option for hiking into the backcountry and enjoying some catch and release fishing.
Spincasting is a more active fishing method that can use either bait or a lure. The method for spincasting is to cast your line and immediately, then start to reel it back in, which mimics the natural movements of a trout’s prey. Spincasting reels are a bit bulkier, but they’re very easy to use and will allow you to cast your line at large distances.
If you’re a novice angler or will be fishing with kids, we would recommend starting out on a spincasting rod. Less fuss (baitcasting rods can have issues with the line tangling) and a more active fishing experience will make the day more enjoyable for little ones!
No matter whether you choose baitcasting or spincasting, there are a few different ways to practice this fishing method. As we said, you can cast a line from the lakeshore or creek bank, but you can also use this method in a canoe, kayak, or even float tube.
Boat Trolling
Boat trolling is a fishing method that involves casting a heavier line and lure behind a boat and dragging it along the deeper waters of a lake as the boat progresses. This is a popular option for large, deep lakes with cold-water species, like trout and perch, which you can easily find fishing in Mammoth Lakes.
Boat trolling, of course, requires some special equipment. First of all, you’ll need a motor boat that you can use to put around the lake for a few hours. If you don’t have your own, don’t worry.
Here in Mammoth Lakes, there are a few places, such as Crowley Lake and Lake Mary, that rent fishing boats! And, you’ll have better luck with a trolling rod that is designed for a slightly heavier line that will sink to the bottom. Ask your tackle shop about trout trolling rods for best results.
Fly fishing
Fly fishing is one of the most stylistic and exciting ways to fish up here in the Eastern Sierra. It includes a precise casting method that replicates the movements of flies and other insects that land briefly on the surface of the water. Fly fishing is most successful on bodies of moving water, such as rivers and streams.
Fly anglers use a specialized fly rod that allows them to manipulate an almost weightless fly (which is essentially a metal hook dressed up with feathers and fibers to mimic the look of a flying insect.) The line used for fly fishing is also different from other styles of fishing.
Learning how to fly fish is challenging, but there are few places better in the world to try than here in the Eastern Sierra. If you want to test it out for yourself, we would suggest that you sign up for lessons with a local instructor such as Wild Fly Anglers or Sierra Drifters Guide Service.
Where to fish based on your preferred fishing method
The beautiful thing about fishing in Mammoth Lakes is that you can try out a variety of different techniques! Here are a few ideas on some great fishing spots based on your preferred style:
- Crowley Lake: As the largest lake reservoir in the area, Crowley Lake is ideal for boat trolling, spincasting and baitcasting. Take a look at our blog on tips for perch fishing on this gorgeous lake.
- Owens River: The winding Owens River is our area’s premier location for fly fishing.
- Rock Creek & Rock Creek Lake: Rock Creek is another fantastic area to practice fly fishing while the lake is ideal for spincasting.
- Convict Lake: Convict Lake is big enough to accomodate motorboat fishing, and also has some excellent shoreline for baitcasting and spincasting.
- Lakes Basin: The Lakes Basin has a few different options for anglers (each one more beautiful than the next!). You’ll see plenty of anglers in float tubes in Twin Lakes, Lake Mary is a great place to rent a boat, and if you’re up for hiking, there’s some great stream fishing in the backcountry, above Horseshoe Lake.
- June Lake Loop: If you haven’t made it out to the June Lake area, you’re in for a real angler’s treat. June and Grant Lakes are the biggest in the area, making them popular for boat trolling and bait fishing. If you’re looking for fly fishing paradise, try out Silver and Gull Lakes.
Which style of fishing will you try when you visit Mammoth Lakes?
We hope that you feel as inspired as we do to get out there on a weekend and enjoy some Eastern Sierra fishing in Mammoth! No matter how you cast your line, you’ll be celebrating Fishmas with some of the friendliest anglers in the US.
Curious to know what kind of fish you’ll catch here in the Eastern Sierra? Don’t miss our article on 8 Types of Fish you Can Catch in Mammoth Lakes.
Don’t be left without a condo to come home to after a long day of fishing! Mammoth Mountain Reservations has the accommodations you need for the perfect fishing trip to the Eastern Sierra.