Map of the Upper Owens River, California

Best Fishing Locations in the Upper Owens River Area

Upper Owens River

• Mostly browns and some rainbow, up to 14"
• Fish from Big Springs one mile downstream
• Fish from Long Ears down to Lake Crowley
• No fishing on private land from one mile below Big Springs to Long Ears.
• Best fishing early spring and fall
• Big Springs to Benton Bridge:
  • Barbless artificial lures and flies
  • 2 trout limit, total length of two fish not to exceed 16"
  • catch and release fishing allowed Nov 16 thru April
• Benton Bridge to Crowley Lake: no special regulations, except Aug 31 to Oct 31:
  • 1/4 mile up from lake, barbless artificial lures and flies
  • 2 fish limit not greater than 18" total

Hot Creek

• Below Hatchery, open to fishing all year
• Catch and release
• Single, barbless hooks on lures or flies
• Big rainbow and brown
• Fish on mile section that begins two miles below hatchery
• Heavily fished

McGee Creek

• 10" - 12" rainbow trout
• Downstream from Highway 395, Last Sat. in April to Memorial Day and Oct. 1 to Nov. 1 :
  • limit 2, total size 18"
  • barbless, artificial lures only
• Otherwise, normal regulations

Convict Creek

• Posted UC study area (1/2 mile above 395) closed to all fishing
• Downstream from UC study area, Last Sat. in April to Memorial Day and Oct. 1 to Nov. 1 :
  • limit 2, total size 18"
  • barbless, artificial lures only
• Otherwise, normal regulations above and below UC study area

Convict Lake

• Brook, rainbow and brown trout
• Weekly plantings of rainbow
• Occasional planting of Alpers rainbows, up to 7 lbs. each

Little Hot Creek

Upper Owens River Fishing and Camping Map Information

Big Springs Campground

• 26 camping sites
• No piped water
• No fee
• No reservations taken

Sherwin Creek Campground

• 85 camping sites
• Piped water, Flush Toilets
• $20 per night
• Reservations at www.recreation.gov

Convict Lake Campground

• 85 camping sites
• Piped water, Flush Toilets
• $20 per night
• Reservations at www.clm-services.com

McGee Creek Campground

• 28 camping sites
• Vault toilets
• $20 per night
• Piped water
• Reservations at www.recreation.gov

Lake Crowley Campground (BLM)

• 47 RV/tent camping sites
• vault toilets
• $5 per night
• No piped water
• No reservations taken
• Treeless, windy
• Open end of April to Nov. 1

Crowley Lake Fish Camp

• Full RV hookup, $45
• Dry camping, $15

Convict Lake Resort

• Housekeeping cabins, $129 and up
• Marina
• Store
• Restaurant
• Bait and fishing tackle

Fishing Supplies

• Brock's Fishing Supplies, Ltd., Bishop
• Crowley Lake Fish Camp, South Landing Road
• The Trout Fly and Troutfitter, Mammoth Lakes
• Tom's Place
• Convict Lake Resort