Sunrise light on a grove of tufa towers emerging from the water of Mono Lake with soft green and dusty-red wild grasses in the foreground, Canada geese in the shallow water with reflections of the rocky towers, and desert hills in the distance.

Fishing season opens this weekend: are you ready?

fishing

Whether you fly fish or prefer to spin cast, take out your float tube or stand on the shore, look for stream riffles or the glassiest lakes, fishing season in the Eastern Sierra has something for everyone. The 2010 fishing season opens this Saturday, April 24 … do you have everything you need?

Licenses
Anyone age 16 or older must have a valid fishing license. New this year: no longer do anglers have to display their licenses above the waist, but be sure to always carry it with you when you’re fishing. Here in Lee Vining you can get your license (and all your bait and tackle) from Bell’s Sporting Goods.

Fish Stocking
Earlier this month, some rumors circulated that the Department of Fish & Game wouldn’t be stocking some waters because of impacts to other riparian species. Not true in the Mono Basin! All of the following have been cleared to be stocked: Mill Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Lee Vining Creek, Rush Creek, Reversed Creek, Lundy Lake, Ellery Lake, and Grant Lake Reservoir. There are plenty of fish to be caught, including monster Alpers trout.

New Zealand Mud Snails
When you fish in the Eastern Sierra, be sure not to harm your favorite fishing holes by spreading the invasive New Zealand Mud Snail. Be aware when you’re fishing in contaminated waters, and freeze any wet equipment overnight to effectively kill these nasty snails. So far, the Mono Basin doesn’t seem to have any mud snails—let’s keep it that way!

Leave No Trace
Please leave the Mono Basin in the same wild condition you found it. Know your limit and practice catch-and-release in required waters. Use barbless hooks where required, and make sure to collect all your stray fishing line when you head home for the day. Lakes and riparian areas are easily damaged and very important to the Eastern Sierra region.

Happy fishing!