About Crowley Lake

Crowley is located on the east side of the Sierra Nevada in central California.  Its tributaries include the Owens River and several creeks.  It is a component of the daisy chain of water impoundments along the Owens River that provide water to the 250 mile LA Aqueduct that terminates in Los Angeles. 

Crowley’s water is an extremely fertile environment for the production of aquatic life that of course benefits the trout and the fertility of its aquatic life allows a growth rate that is unequaled.  Tagged fish have been shown to have grown up to 9” in a year.  The nutrients that are contributed by the cattle that graze the shoreline eventually flows into the lake, and nourishes the micro organisms such as algae that in turn feed the lakes invertebrates, that ultimately feed its trophy trout. 

Crowley is unique in that the California Department of Fish & Game (DFG) has planted three different strains of Rainbows in Crowley, Kamloop, Eagle Lake, and Coleman (named after the hatchery located at the base of Mt. Lassen in northern California).

Much of the best fishing is around the inlets of the creeks that enter the lake on the west side.  The largest of the tributaries is the Owens River that enters from the north.  These areas generally are rather shallow (ten to fifteen feet), and have lots of weeds which are home to aquatic food sources of all kinds. 

The most popular tubing areas are Alligator Point, Leighton Springs, Mc Gee Creek and Hilton Bay.  Though the northwest side of the lake has good vehicle access, some areas are best accessed by boat.  Often times fishermen will load their tubes on to a mother ship so to speak, motor out to the area they want to fish and get dropped off.

The best way to be introduced to Crowley is to spend a morning on the lake with one of our guides.  Give us a call and we will make arrangements for you to experience the great fishing on of California’s most productive lakes.