Green Lake Fishing

Hoover Wilderness

Sierra Fishing Destinations

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Green Lake Fishing

Hoover Wilderness - Mono County

Green Lake is easily overlooked by fishermen working the streams and lakes along the Eastern Sierra. Tucked up a canyon near Bridgeport in Mono County, Green Lake has wonderful fishing for brook and rainbow trout. It does involve a 2½-mile hike, but once you are there you will quickly forget about the trail and spend an enjoyable day working around Green Lakes' varied shore.

Sidetrips

A great sidetrip from Green Lake is to continue up the trail to East Lake, only a mile up the trail. East Lake rivals Green Lake for beauty and quality fishing. Another option is West Lake less than a mile beyond Green Lake in another direction.

Green Lake

Other Featured Trips Near Green Lake

Cooney Lake - One of several lakes near Virginia Lakes
Fern Lake - hike out of June Lake to a scenic alpine lake
Fremont Lake - make a weekend backpack to this great fishing lake in the Hoover Wilderness. Leavitt Meadow trailhead.
Parker Lake - near the June Lake Loop, a 2-mile hike to this spectacular lake.

Dynamo Pond

In My Creel

#16 Blue Wing Olive Fur Ant Dry
#16 Grey Hackle Yellow
#14 California Coachman
Panther Martin Gold
Acme Kastmaster
Super Duper

I was glad I had brought both my spin casting rig and my fly rod because by mid-day the wind had come up making fly fishing difficult. Lures proved very successful.

Recommended Books, Lures, and Flies for Fishing the Hoover Wilderness

Fly Fishing Eastern Sierra Streams, Where to Go, What to Use, and How to Get There, Mike Brown. Great book detailing the best streams in the Eastern Sierra. Color Photographs.
Fishin' Trails - 25 Short Hikes for Eastern Sierra Wild Trout Fishin Trails is a collection of full color photographs and detailed descriptions of 25 short hikes for spectacular wild trout angling in the Eastern Sierra
FISHINGSIR Fly Fishing Flies Kit - 64/100/110/120pcs Handmade Fly Fishing Lures - Dry/Wet Flies,Streamer, Nymph, Emerger with Waterproof Fly Box - Large selection of flies includes trusted patterns (such as Adams, Woolly Bugger, Elk Hair Caddis, Griffith's Gnat, Stimulator, Egg Fly, etc.) used by anglers around the world.
Acme Tackle SW105/BKT Kastmaster Brook Trout, 1/8 oz Ideal for trout

East Lake

Fishing Supplies

On your way to the trailhead for Green Lake, you can pick up fishing supplies at the following places:

Ken's Sporting Goods, Bridgeport
Virginia Lakes Resort
Beaver's Sporting Goods, Lee Vining
Ernie's Fishing Tackle in June Lake
June Lake Marina
Gull Lake Marina

Sierra Fishing Destinations

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Making Your Way to Green Lake

From Bridgeport in Mono County, drive 4½ miles south on Highway 395. Watch for the Green Creek turnoff on your right. The dirt road is fairly well graded and easy enough for all vehicles. On the way you will pass the Dynamo Pond which has some good fishing and some undeveloped camping sites. As you drive along Green Creek you will pass several places where you may be tempted to pull over and try your luck.

After 9 miles, just beyond the campground, you will arrive at the Green Lake trailhead. There is a vault toilet next to the parking lot, along with information signs.

Along the Trail

The hike to Green Lake is 2½ miles, and the trail climbs 1000 feet. Green Lake is almost at 9,000 feet in elevation, so I took it slow on the trail, pausing often to catch my breath and take pictures. The hike to the lake took 1½ hours, but I imagine younger anglers could do it in an hour.

A few places along Green Creek look tantalizing for fishing, but I was anxious to reach the lake and passed them by. The trail began with only a gradual incline for the first mile and then grew steeper with switchbacks. Overall, it is a fairly moderate hike. Once at the lake you'll find use trails that provide access to most areas along both shores. Fishing was especially good away from the popular campsites.

Lodging and Camping

Lodging is available in Bridgeport and at several small motels on Highway 395 close to the Green Creek turnoff. Among them is the charming Willow Springs Motel and RV Park. For more information about lodging in Mono County, see
Mono County - California's Eastern Sierra.

A number of good backpacking sites are located along either side of Green Lake. The Green Lake Campground and Group Campground are near the trailhead. Other nearby campgrounds include Lower Twin Lakes, Paha, Buckeye, and Honeymoon.

California's Best Camping

For complete information about campgrounds near Green Creek and beyond, see