FISHING REPORT
Updated - 8/28/26

Scroll down for links to
information about Lodging,
​Maps and up to the minute
Stream Flows

Hatch Chart is at the bottom of the page​​

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CLICK HERE FOR UP TO DATE OVERALL ROAD ANDWATER CONDITIONS IN THE MAMMOTH AREA

COURTESY OF THE "TROUTFITTER"

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SPECIAL REGULATIONS FOR CALIFORNIA WATERS

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Flows & Water Conditions-127 CFS and off color

Be very careful driving on dirt roads just after a thunder storm as they can get muddy.

Fishing Report- Good:  The Troutfitter  https://thetroutfitter.com reports: 

With the days getting shorter and cooler the fishing has improved downstream of the Hot Creek junctions.

  The ranchers have started putting the cows inside the fence so be aware and try to stay above them, although with the dirtier water the fish will be less spooky. Putting the cows inside is a necessary move for the health of the ecosystem, the grazing used to be done by the deer and the Antelope but now they’ll rotate the cows into sections for 2 weeks at a time. Fish and Game used to call it the 4th of July run as the smaller Browns, 13”-20” will move in to escape the poor water conditions and then stay until the fall spawn. This also includes some bigger Rainbows looking for clean cool water but the Browns are scattered, mainly up into the private ranches. We are starting to see the fall spawning Coleman strain of Rainbows moving up as well. These fish are not very selective yet but they are VERY spooky, especially in the super clear water above the Hot Creek confluences. Not a lot of hatches going on outside of the ever present midges and Caddis, the Trico hatches are inconsistent, the Trico spinner fall starts around 9-9:30.  With the browns moving up the usual egg and worm patterns are still working and the lake fish aren’t real savvy on the food sources yet. It’s still important to avoid wading and stay in water waist deep if possible, so as to avoid trampling the eggs. If size is not important you can pick up some 6”-8” browns on dry flies. 

ONE BIG CHANGE

The fish moving in have been keying on perch in the lake so if you’re fishing below the bridge try dead drifting perch patterns right on the bottom!

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 Learn all about the Upper Owens in my book
"The Complete Guide to California Fly Fishing" by clicking

on the link to the right of the banner above

Click here https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FishPlants/ to see the CDFW fish planting schedule

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Scroll down to bottom of page to see hatch chart

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