Owens River Fishing Overview

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...

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.

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Species:

Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kamloop Trout, Cutthroat Trout

Stocked Date:

Trout stocked 1 week ago - View Schedule

Geography:

Source: Sierra Nevada

Mouth: Owens Lake

Length: 183 mi

Fishing Reports

Log Report

Owens River

Mar 20

California

Public

Good Trout bite

Trout

Mixed

The Lower Owens has flipped into spring mode ahead of schedule. Warmer temps and longer days have pulled trout out of their cold-weather funk, and fish that were barely moving weeks ago are now actively tracking and committing to flies. The Wild Trout Section is fishing well, with a caddis and BWO hatch bringing fish to the surface and mayflies pushing through the mid-water column. Best bite window has been right around noon. Dry flies, midge, and nymph rigs are working in the riffles above holding pools.

The Upper Owens is a different story at the moment. Snowmelt has flows running with off-color water... and road conditions are quite muddy. Crowley migrant rainbows are in the system, but you'll need to cover a lot of water to find them. The upside is pressure is almost nonexistent right now. Things should settle and clear in the coming weeks, and really turn on quickly thereafter.

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2 anglers found this report useful

Owens River

Mar 27, 2025

California

Public

Good Rainbow Trout bite

Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout

Trout have been active in both the Upper and Lower Owens. The Lower is fishing well with good flows and a reliable dry fly window late morning—try blue wing olives and caddis. Drift boats are doing well, but wading anglers are also finding fish with nymphs, small streamers, and dries in the Wild Trout section. Stocked stretches below Bishop are...

Up top, the Upper Owens is holding big rainbows in deeper holes, but melting ice and mud have made access tough. You’ll likely need to hoof it to reach the slow, deep water where fish are holding. Egg and leech patterns are getting bit. Conditions are warming and improving daily.

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4 anglers found this report useful