Bishop Creek - Bishop, CA

The Bishop Creek watershed, west of Bishop, California, constitutes a vast and critically important coldwater fishery within the Eastern Sierra. Comprising multiple forks and numerous impoundments, this system supports robust populations of stocked Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), alongside significant naturally reproducing populations of Brown Trout (Salmo trutta), Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), and occasional Golden Trout (Oncorhynchus myclonax aguabonita) in its higher, more remote sections. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) executes extensive stocking to ensure accessible put-and-take opportunities.

Angling methodologies are highly diversified across the drainage's altitudinal and hydrological gradients. Lower, accessible areas and main impoundments accommodate bait and spin casting. Conversely, the higher forks and backcountry lakes necessitate technical fly fishing, with nymphing (e.g., caddis, mayfly, stonefly patterns) and dry fly presentations (e.g., Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, terrestrials) being preeminent. Access is facilitated by Highway 168, leading to various trailheads and roadside fishing points. Optimal fishing periods span from the late April general opener through mid-November, contingent on snowpack and specific regulations. Anglers are unequivocally mandated to consult current CDFW regulations, as distinct rules apply to specific forks, lakes, and sections, crucial for the sustainable management of this vital Sierra Nevada resource.