The High Sierra has some of the best trout fishing in California if you know where to go and what to use. From stillwater lakes to fast-moving creeks, this region offers a range of opportunities throughout the fishing season. In this guide, we’ll walk through some of our go-to spots, the techniques that work best, and what to expect depending on when you’re heading out. Whether you’re planning a quick weekend or a backcountry trip, here’s what you need to know to fish it right.
Best Fishing Spots in the High Sierra
The High Sierra is loaded with good water, but a few places stand above the rest. These are the spots we’d send any serious angler, whether you’re chasing wild trout, looking for a productive lake, or heading into the backcountry. Here’s where to go.
San Joaquin River (Middle Fork) – Eastern Sierra
A consistent producer, especially in the Reds Meadow area near Mammoth. Wild and stocked rainbows, with plenty of access. Fishing is best from June through October. Dry flies work well in the evenings, but nymphs and small streamers are usually more productive during the day.
Upper Merced River – Yosemite National Park
Classic freestone water with wild browns and rainbows. Light rods and stealthy presentations work best, especially late summer when flows drop. Access can take some hiking, but you’ll usually find fewer crowds upstream from the Valley.
Tuolumne River – Yosemite High Country
High-elevation, remote water with solid hatches and wild trout (including Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Steelhead, and Brook Trout). Best accessed by hiking. A dry-dropper river when conditions are right. It fishes best from mid-July through September, once snowmelt settles and flows normalize.
Rush Creek – June Lake Loop
A great mix of wild and stocked trout, with easy roadside access. Nymphs and small dries do well in summer. Look for structure—undercut banks, riffles, and drop-offs tend to hold fish, especially on warmer days.
Hot Creek – Eastern Sierra
Technical but rewarding. Known for clear water, healthy wild fish, and strong hatches. Catch-and-release only. Midges and small mayflies are key patterns here—go light on tippet and be ready to adjust your presentation often.
Lake Sabrina – Eastern Sierra, above Bishop
A popular stocked lake with rainbows and browns. Productive from both the boat and the shore. It’s especially good just after a stocking run or early in the season when water temps are cool. Many go with PowerBait or small lures near the inlets, but flyfishing often produces the best results there; you can drift flies from a float tube. Small olive or black buggers are very effective. Prince, Pheasant Tail, and Stonefly nymphs work great if you prefer nymphs, and if you’re a dry fly guy or gal, Royal Wulff and Coachman, Mosquitos, and Adams, Sierra Bright Dots.
Kings River (North Fork) – Western High Sierra
A rugged western slope option with wild trout and fewer crowds. Best fished in late summer when flows settle down. Wading can be tough in spots, but the pocket water holds trout willing to take attractor dries or high-sticked nymphs.
Seasonal Strategies for Successful Trout Fishing
Fishing the High Sierra is all about timing. Conditions shift fast with elevation, snowmelt, and weather, so knowing where to go and what to expect in each season can help you get the most out of every trip. Some rivers fish best during runoff, others come alive in fall, and certain lakes are only worth hitting during a narrow window. Here’s how to time it right.
Spring (April–June)
As snow begins to melt, trout become more active, but runoff can make river fishing tough early in the season. Lakes shine during this window, especially just after ice-out.
Top Picks:
- Lake Sabrina – Opens in late April and fishes well early with stocked rainbows.
- San Joaquin River – Usually opens mid-June, depending on snowpack, and fishes great with nymphs and streamers.
- Rush Creek – Gets good once flows stabilize in late spring.
Tip: Use heavier nymph rigs or small streamers in high water. Focus on slower edges and tailouts.
Summer (July–August)
With stable flows and warmer temps, summer is prime time—especially at higher elevations. Dry flies and dry-dropper rigs are go-to setups during hatches or evening risers.
Top Picks:
- Tuolumne River – Yosemite high country dry fly fishing at its best.
- Rock Creek – Good for brookies and rainbows in cool alpine water.
- Upper Merced River – Fishes well with small dries and nymphs in summer’s low flows.
Tip: Get on the water early and fish shaded stretches during midday heat. On hot afternoons, head higher.
Fall (September–October)
Fall is one of the best times to fish the High Sierra. Cooler water, fewer crowds, and aggressive trout make for solid action, especially for browns chasing streamers.
Top Picks:
- Hot Creek – Fall hatches can be strong, and fewer people are on the water.
- Twin Lakes (Bridgeport) – Known for trophy browns in the fall.
- Kings River – Drops into prime shape in late summer and fall.
Tip: Streamers in the morning, small dries or nymphs in the afternoon. Trout are feeding hard before winter.
Winter (November–March)
Most waters are locked up or difficult to access, but a few spots stay open and productive. Midge hatches and spring creek stability can still bring success on warmer days.
Top Picks:
- Hot Creek – One of the only consistent winter fisheries in the region.
- Lower Owens River (just outside the High Sierra proper) – A good winter option when higher elevations are frozen.
Tip: Fish the warmest part of the day. Go small with flies and tippet. Expect subtle takes and technical conditions.
Catching Trout: Trophy Rainbows & Wild Browns
If you’re after big fish, a few spots in the High Sierra stand out. The Upper Owens River and East Walker River are known for holding some of the largest rainbows and wild browns in the region. These waters draw serious anglers every year for good reason.
The Upper Owens sees big fish move in from Crowley Lake during spring and fall, especially after it joins with Hot Creek. The East Walker, on the Nevada border, holds hefty browns year-round and fishes well with both nymphs and streamers.
To increase your chances of landing a big one, look for slower water near the edges—places where the current isn’t rushing too fast. Big trout often hang out in these spots to conserve energy while waiting for food to drift by. Try casting slightly upstream and letting your fly drift naturally with the current—it helps your fly look more like the real thing. Simple patterns like Zebra Midges, Pheasant Tail Nymphs, and San Juan Worms work well here, especially if you’re using a setup that keeps the fly below the surface, where big fish usually feed.
The larger trout in these rivers can be challenging to catch, but with the right flies and a thoughtful presentation, they’re well within reach.
Mastering Fly Selection in the High Sierra
Matching the hatch isn’t just a cliché—it’s one of the most important skills for fly fishing in the High Sierra. With so many different water types and elevations, having the right flies (and knowing when to use them) can make or break your trip.
Most trout in this region feed heavily on aquatic insects, including midges, mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies. These bugs go through different life stages, and your fly box should reflect that. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Nymphs (like the Pheasant Tail and Hare’s Ear) imitate immature aquatic insects and are fished below the surface. They’re reliable all season long, especially when fish aren’t rising.
- Emergers represent insects transitioning from nymph to adult. Trout love them during active hatches, especially in slower runs and riffles.
- Dry flies (like the Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, and Royal Wulff) float on the surface and imitate adult insects. These are your go-to on summer afternoons, especially in high-country creeks.
- Midges are a key food source year-round—Zebra Midges in black or red (sizes 18–22) are a must-have.
- Streamers (such as Woolly Buggers) mimic baitfish or leeches and can tempt larger, aggressive trout—especially in lakes or during fall.
Terrestrial patterns like ants and hoppers work really well in late summer when land-based insects fall into the water.
Because conditions shift quickly in the High Sierra, it pays to come prepared with a range of sizes and styles. Focus on matching the size and behavior of what trout are actually eating—presentation often matters more than exact pattern. Flip over rocks, check spiderwebs, watch the water to see what’s flying or drifting past—whatever opportunity presents itself.
Whether you’re drifting a nymph through a deep run or casting dries into a high mountain creek, mastering fly selection gives you a serious edge in this diverse and rewarding fishery.
Exploring Lesser-Known Waters
The High Sierra is full of hidden creeks that don’t make the guidebooks, but are well worth exploring if you’ve got some experience under your belt. These waters often see fewer anglers and offer a more personal, peaceful experience. That said, many of them involve hiking, limited access, or rough terrain, so they’re better suited for people who are comfortable going off the beaten path.
- Rock Creek flows through a steep granite canyon and holds wild rainbows and brookies in its upper stretches. It’s easy to access from Highway 395 and a good starting point for anglers looking to get beyond the usual spots without too much effort.
- Rush Creek, above the June Lake Loop, also offers solid water with more solitude upstream. While the lower sections are roadside, the upper reaches take some hiking and reward it with wild trout and less pressure.
- Mono Creek, west of Lake Edison, is a true backcountry stream. You’ll need to hike in several miles (or take the ferry across the reservoir) to reach the best water. It’s a great option for experienced anglers who are comfortable with wilderness fishing and planning for changing conditions.
- In Yosemite, the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne offers alpine scenery and clear, cold water—but it’s a long hike in, and not well marked in places. The payoff is real, but it’s not a casual day trip.
- Pine Creek, just outside Bishop, is much closer to town but still technical. It’s a tight stream in steep country—great if you like a challenge, but probably not the best choice for beginners.
Above 8,000 feet, many of these creeks go untouched for most of the season. All you need is a light rod, a few dries and nymphs, and a willingness to explore. Just be realistic about your comfort level, and know when to turn back.
If you’re heading into remote areas, bring a good map or GPS, check trail conditions, and let someone know your plans. Cell service is limited, and even well-worn trails can be rugged or poorly marked. A little planning goes a long way in making sure your trip is both productive and safe.
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Season Openers, Local Rules, and Responsible Fishing
Fishing the High Sierra isn’t just about knowing where to go—it’s also about understanding when the season starts, what regulations apply, and how to fish responsibly so the water stays productive for years to come.
When the Season Opens
In many parts of the Sierra—especially the Eastern slope—trout season kicks off on the last Saturday in April, a much-anticipated event often called “Fishmas.” Lakes like Pleasant Valley Reservoir and Bridgeport Reservoir see a surge of anglers eager to shake off winter and get back on the water.
But across the broader High Sierra, timing can vary. Western slope rivers like the Kings and Kaweah may open by regulation in April, but deep snow and high flows often delay practical fishing access until summer. Meanwhile, some special-regulation waters—like Hot Creek, parts of the Merced, and the Lower Owens—stay open year-round under catch-and-release or artificial-only rules.
Before any trip, it’s a good idea to check the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) website for region-specific updates, closures, and seasonal changes. Flows, snowpack, and road conditions can matter just as much as the calendar.
Catch-and-Release Best Practices
Whether you’re fishing a roadside creek or a remote backcountry stream, practicing catch-and-release is one of the best ways to protect trout populations, especially in fragile alpine ecosystems.
Here’s how to do it right:
- Use barbless hooks to reduce injury and ease release.
- Land fish quickly to limit exhaustion.
- Wet your hands before handling fish to preserve their protective slime.
- Keep them in the water as much as possible, especially during photos.
- Release fish gently, facing upstream, and give them time to recover.
Some waters require catch-and-release by law, others rely on anglers to make that call. Either way, handling fish carefully helps ensure those same waters fish well the next time you visit—and for the next angler, too.
Wrapping It Up
The High Sierra has a way of getting under your skin. It’s not just about the fish, though they’re certainly worth the trip. It’s the alpine air, the sound of a river moving through granite, the quiet mornings when you’re the only one on the water. Fly fishing here is as much about the experience as it is the catch.
We’ve covered the go-to rivers and lakes, how to time your trip, what flies to bring, and how to increase your odds of landing a wild brown or trophy rainbow. We’ve also talked about the lesser-known creeks, the importance of responsible catch-and-release, and what to expect if you’re planning an early season trip. Whether you’re new to the region or a long-time Sierra veteran, every trip is different, and every stretch of water has something to teach you.
So tie on your fly, keep your line tight, and enjoy the kind of fishing that stays with you long after the drive home.
Guide Trips with Sierra Fly Fisher
If you’re serious about fishing the High Sierra—or just want to learn the ropes—booking a guided trip with Sierra Fly Fisher is one of the best moves you can make.
We’ve been guiding in the region for nearly 30 years, covering everything from Yosemite’s Merced and Tuolumne Rivers to the San Joaquin, Kings, and Kaweah. Whether you’re a first-timer or an experienced angler looking to fish new water, our guides will help you fish smarter and enjoy more time on the water.
We offer trips for individuals, families, schools, and even corporate groups. We’re passionate about this region, and we love helping others experience it in the best way!