Mammoth Lakes fishing guide

Try / pack: Start with compact inline spinners, spoons, or small jigs for cast-and-retrieve spinning. Shore-cast at accessible edges, or use a boat or float tube to cover water on Basin lakes where access and current rules allow. Before changing lure style, try another depth or retrieve; the Basin lakes offer different shore, tube, and boat options. Fly anglers can also pack Woolly Buggers or nymphs.

Try / pack: For accessible shore casting, start with a small spoon or inline spinner and vary the depth or retrieve along the lake edge. If a boat and current rules allow, use it to cover open water; trolling a spinner is another conditional option. Check the current rules for the specific June Loop lake. Rush Creek is separate moving water: pack small dry flies and nymphs for that option.

Try / pack: In Convict Lake’s clear water, try a small, natural-looking spoon or inline spinner with lighter line. Cast from accessible shore near drop-offs, then adjust depth or retrieve. You can also try again in early or late light; conditions vary, so this is a timing option, not a promise of activity.

Try / pack: For spinning, try spoon or inline-spinner casts from shore; when boating is available and conditions allow, trolling a spinner is a separate way to cover open water on this large lake. Choose tackle and technique to fit current CDFW rules and conditions for Crowley, and check wind and water before launch. Wear a properly fitted PFD if boating; stay ashore or return early if conditions worsen.

Try / pack: For lake spinning, try a compact spoon or inline spinner from accessible shoreline or from a boat where permitted. Plan it for a time when lake access is open and practical, and check current road or trail access and weather for this high-country water. For nearby moving-water Rock Creek, keep the separate small-dry-fly or nymph option.

Try / pack: At the smaller lake edges, try a compact spoon or inline spinner from shore or a permitted non-gas-powered craft. Keep the lure selection and tackle packable for hike-to lakes, and check road or trail access and current rules before setting out. Virginia Creek is separate moving water; its fly-fishing option is small dries and nymphs.