Surrounded by alpine meadows with the Mammoth Mountains in the backdrop, the Owens River is the longest river in the Eastern Sierra. It is known for producing some of the largest rainbow and brown trout in the country.

In addition to the resident trout population, the upper section of the Owens receives trophy trout from Lake Crowley during spawning migrations. Rainbows migrate into the river in the spring, and browns migrate in the fall. The river is small in this section, thus making fish spookier. They feed primarily on caddis in the spring, and terrestrials in the summer. The Upper Owens is the only section of the river that is open to fishing year-round.

The middle section, from Lake Crowley to Pleasant Valley Reservoir, is larger and is commonly accessed by drift boats. The largest fish in the river typically come from this section. While river insects are still a common food source, trout here will also feed on leeches and baitfish.

While trout are less abundant in the lower section below Pleasant Valley Reservoir, so are crowds. In the lowest part of the river below the dam, warm-water species such as bluegill, bass, and carp are present.

Numerous fishing regulations exist on the Owens, so be sure to check with CDFW. Much of the upper section can be accessed publicly by gravel roads paralleling the river, while the middle and lower sections have minimal road access. Lodging and amenities can be found in the nearby town of Mammoth Lakes.