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Crowley Lake
FISHING REPORT
Updated - 9/5/24
Scroll down for links to information about Lodging,​
Maps and up to the minute Stream Flows.​
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  • Inyo County Road Conditions.

  • Mono County Road Conditions.

  • Inyo National Forest Road Conditions.

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CLICK HERE FOR UP TO DATE OVERALL ROAD AND

WATER CONDITIONS IN THE MAMMOTH AREA

COURTESY OF THE "TROUTFITTER"

 

Flows & Water Conditions:  Normal for the time of the year.  There are weeds and algae in some areas.

 

Fishing Report & Conditions-Fair to Good: 

The Troutfitter https://thetroutfitter.com reports:With the conditions improving, the channels are becoming less important and the fish are spreading out. Fish seem to be moving out into slightly deeper water at 8’-16’. McGee Bay has been abandoned but the fish are still there. As a rule of thumb, streamers along the weed lines are a good way to go. The north end has been the place to be - Almost all of the boats are in the Owens Channel, but you’ll find fish everywhere.


If you’re just looking for action, Hilton Bay has lots of smaller fish, but the fish in the Crooked Creek arm have disappeared. We should have more reports late this week. The fish have gone back to being picky on what food they want to eat, so if the imitations you're using aren’t working, don’t be afraid to experiment; try midge, fry, Damsel, or Callibaetis until you find the right one.


Another point to consider; the deeper the water, the further you get from the weed beds and the more the fish will be keying in on midges. Conversely, the weed beds are the keys to Callibaetis, Damsels, and the hiding place for the Perch fry. As for exploring, it’s not just the stream mouths that bring in cooler water - Springs will attract fish as well.


The Perch fry are becoming a much more dominant food source and unlike most of the other food sources (which are hatch-related) the perch are always available. If you’re willing to put up with the wind, the perch bite seems to improve when the water gets rough. That said, the fish will still be changing food preferences throughout the day. If you’re doing great on midges but it shuts down around 9:30, try switching to Callibaetis nymphs. Likewise, around noon be ready to switch to Damselfly or perch fry imitations. The Balanced Perch patterns seem to be working the best if you’re fishing under an indicator.

  • Dries: Adult Damsel #12 | Deer Hair Damsel Blue #14 | Organza Callibaetis Spinner #16-18 | Callibaetis Para Nymph #16-20 |

  • Nymphs: Copper Tiger #S-L | Albino Baron #S-L | Double Bead Zebra #S-L | Poxyback Callibaetis #14-16 | Rickerts Emerging Callibaetis | Ultra Damsel Olive #14-16 | Hula Damsel Tan or Olive #16 | Monroe Leech |

  • Streamers: Punk Perch Light #16 | Balanced Punk Perch Light or Dark #14 | Perfection Perch #8 | Hornberg #8-10 | Balanced Birds Nest Olive & Natural #12-14 |

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CLICK HERE TO SEE CROWLEY LAKE WEB-CAMS

 

See Hatch Chart Below

Local Waters Orientation Clinics are Starting Now
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LODGING NEAR
Lake Crowley

LOCAL FLY SHOPS

Fishing Regulations

HATCH CHART - CROWLEY LAKE

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.

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