Eastern Sierra Fishing Report

It's feeling like summer... What's your favorite lake in the Bishop area? This is Lake Sabrina, only 20 miles from town up Highway 168W. Photo by @carla.plantsandgrow
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Visit Bishop

by Doug Busey
5-28-2021
Website

Hello fellow anglers. Memorial weekend is here and the weather is cooperating with us this year.  Remember to check wherever your destination is to see if you are allowed to have a campfire. The Tahoe basin area is closed to all campfires, even in designated campgrounds. We need to be safe when venturing outdoors. We had a bad winter this year and the vegetation is extremely  dry.  I would recommend checking with the local people in the area you decide to go. Websites can be unreliable and sometimes old news. You are responsible for knowing the rules of the area where you decide to camp. We want to have good memories of this Memorial weekend and not have to read about any wild fires on the news. Before we get to the fishing report. Many read in my last report, the Lampe Park Kids Derby is postponed until next year. For those young anglers in South Lake Tahoe. The Sawmill Pond Kids Derby is still on for June 5th from 8am to 12 pm. This event is sponsored and supported by Raleys, The  Optimist Club of South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters, Francine Tanner and the Eldorado Fish Commision. The derby is open to all anglers 14 years of age and younger. No pre-registration is needed. All you need to do is show up and enjoy yourself. Only thing that is asked is to keep chairs and coolers back from the shore area to allow more access for anglers. There will be hot dogs and a raffle. For more information, call the Tahoe Fly Fishing outfitters at 530-541-8208. Hope to see you there.

SILVER LAKE: The lake is thawed and full of water. The CDFW has planted the lake recently with rainbow trout. The boat ramp is open. Use caution if you are boating for the first time. There is a deep channel to get out, and there are many rock formations that can come up quickly.

CAPLES LAKE: The Resort is open for launching and boat and kayak rentals. The general stock is stocked for those items you might have forgotten.The CDFW planted the lake with rainbow and brown trout recently. The lake also has large mackinaw trout. The EID day use and boat launch is open. The Caples Lake campground was not open yet as of this week. For more information, stop by the Caples Lake Resort.

WOODS LAKE:  The road is now open. The lake offers hiking, camping and fishing for rainbow trout.

RED LAKE: The lake is full. The fishing has been slow. There is no camping allowed at the lake. The lake has brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout.

BURNSIDE LAKE:  The road is now open. The lake is full and the fishing has been rated fair for rainbows. The lake also has a few campsites. No campfires allowed right now.

TROUT CREEK, UPPER TRUCKEE RIVER, TAYLOR CREEK: Will open  on Saturday the 29th, to catch and release fishing with artificial lures or flies only with barbless hooks. Zero limit! make a note of it. This is a new regulation that has started this year. These rivers on the south end of Lake Tahoe are the future for the browns and the rainbow's survival that spawn in these rivers and creeks.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR:  The campground  and day use area is closed. The CDFW has planted the lake with rainbow trout. They have also planted the lake with cutthroat trout from Heenan Lake. The lake so far has a clean bill of health from the blue green algae. But always wash your hands and rinse your fish off at home after you clean them.. Turtle Rock campground is just five minutes away. You can use it for a base camp and fish the local area. For more information stop by theCreekside Lodge in Markleeville.

CARSON RIVER WEST FORK CALIFORNIA SIDE:  The water level is getting low. I would recommend hiking out in Hope Valley or fish in the Woodfords Canyon area. The CDFW planted the river last week. Alpine County reports no fish plants this week.

CARSON RIVER EAST FORK CALIFORNIA SIDE: The CDFW has planted the river a few times recently. Alpine County reported no fish plants for this week. The water is running good but a little low. Fishing has been most productive with salmon eggs or throwing small spinners for above Hangman's bride to Silver Creek area.. From Hangman's bridge downstream to NV state line is artificial lure with barbless hooks. Limit is 2 fish 14 inches or larger. For more information stop by the Carson River Resort.

MARKLEEVILLE CREEK:  The campground is open. The river is running fair and clear. The CDFW planted recently with rainbow trout.

SILVER CREEK: The CDFW has planted the river with rainbow trout. Alpine County reported no fish plants this week. Flys, salmon eggs or small spinners have been doing well for anglers. for more information stop by the Creekside Lodge.

TOPAZ LAKE:  The lake water level has been going down for awhile, but has started to rise over the last few days. The fishing has been fair for shore anglers. Most have been using powerbait or inflated nightcrawlers. trollers have had best success with flashers and a night crawler going a little deeper water.

BLUE LAKES: The road is now open as of this week to the lake. No fish plants from the CDFW. The campground is open.

HIGHLAND LAKE: Highway 4 is now open. The road to the lake is not open as of this week.

CARSON RIVER NEVADA SIDE: The NDOW has planted the river at Ruenstrough Bridge and above the broken dam with brown trout.

ECHO LAKE: Planted with rainbow trout by the CDFW this week.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR:  The lake level is still low. The marina is renting fishing boats. Most boaters are launching at the bathtub area. The fishing has been good for shore anglers one day, then the boaters the next. There are some big fish still coming out  ranging from 2 to 5 lbs.. The nights are still cool and the brown trout are still biting. For more information stop by the Bridgeport Marina and campground.

Good luck on your next fishing adventure, be safe  and take your time getting to your destination. There will be  a lot of people on the roads this weekend. make some memories and take some pictures. If you get a picture of your catch, send it to [email protected]. Hope to see you on the waters soon. Good fishin' and tight lines.


Good luck on your next fishing adventure. If you have a question. a report in our local fishing area or have a photo of your catch, send it to [email protected]. Hope to see you on the waters. Good fishin' and tight lines.




More Reports


5-28-2021
The Sawmill Pond Kids Derby is still on for June 5th from 8am to 12 pm. This event is sponsored...... Read More