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Crowley Lake
FISHING REPORT
Updated - 10/28/24
Scroll down for links to information about Lodging,​
Maps and up to the minute Stream Flows.​
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CLICK HERE FOR UP TO DATE OVERALL ROAD AND

WATER CONDITIONS IN THE MAMMOTH AREA

COURTESY OF THE "TROUTFITTER"

 

Flows & Water Conditions:  Fair to Very good

Water conditions are normal for the time of the year.  Algae is clearing up.

 

Fishing Report & Conditions- Good: 

The Troutfitter https://thetroutfitter.com reports 

Fishing pressure has been lighter since Labor Day weekend with most of the pressure in the north end. With the conditions improving, the channels are becoming less important and the fish are spreading out. Fish seem to be moving back into slightly shallower water at 6’-14’ but the fish are also moving back into deep water at 25’-30’ deep. The problem with the deep water is that’s also where the Perch and Chub are hanging out and if you don’t recognize the differences on your fish finder it can make for a long day. The basic difference is that the Perch and Chub will school up vertically while the trout will be more spread out and hugging the bottom.

McGee Bay has been abandoned but the fish are still there. The north end has been the place to be - almost all of the boats have been in the Owens Channel, but they have now spread out. Layton Springs has been the latest hot spot but it has slowed down and the boats are scattering. Midge hatches have definitely slowed down and the fishing has become very inconsistent. Also, smaller midge patterns seem to be preferred, #14-18 scud hooks.If you’re just looking for action, Hilton Bay has lots of smaller fish, and the recently stocked fish have already repopulated the Crooked Creek arm but they are very small. There are a few bigger fish in deeper water but you have to work hard for them. If you’re looking to shore fish, 6 Bays and Whiskey Bay are good choices

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  • Dries: Adult Damsel #12 | Deer Hair Damsel Blue #14 | Organza Callibaetis Spinner #16-18 | Callibaetis Para Nymph #16-20 |

  • Nymphs: Copper Tiger #S-L | Albino Baron #S-L | Double Bead Zebra #S-L | Poxyback Callibaetis #14-16 | Rickerts Emerging Callibaetis | Ultra Damsel Olive #14-16 | Hula Damsel Tan or Olive #16 | Monroe Leech |

  • Streamers: Punk Perch Light #16 | Balanced Punk Perch Light or Dark #14 | Perfection Perch #8 | Hornberg #8-10 | Balanced Birds Nest Olive & Natural #12-14 |

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CLICK HERE TO SEE CROWLEY LAKE WEB-CAMS

 

See Hatch Chart Below

2025
L American River 
winter steelhead 
 Orientation Clinics are Booking Now
Click here for info

LODGING NEAR
Lake Crowley

LOCAL FLY SHOPS

Fishing Regulations

HATCH CHART - CROWLEY LAKE

About Crowley Lake

 

Crowley is located on the east side of the Sierra Nevada in central California.  Its tributaries include the Owens River and several creeks.  It is a component of the daisy chain of water impoundments along the Owens River that provide water to the 250 mile LA Aqueduct that terminates in Los Angeles. 

 

Crowley’s water is an extremely fertile environment for the production of aquatic life that of course benefits the trout and the fertility of its aquatic life allows a growth rate that is unequaled.  Tagged fish have been shown to have grown up to 9” in a year.  The nutrients that are contributed by the cattle that graze the shoreline eventually flows into the lake, and nourishes the micro organisms such as algae that in turn feed the lakes invertebrates, that ultimately feed its trophy trout. 

 

Crowley is unique in that the California Department of Fish & Game (DFG) has planted three different strains of Rainbows in Crowley, Kamloop, Eagle Lake, and Coleman (named after the hatchery located at the base of Mt. Lassen in northern California).

 

Much of the best fishing is around the inlets of the creeks that enter the lake on the west side.  The largest of the tributaries is the Owens River that enters from the north.  These areas generally are rather shallow (ten to fifteen feet), and have lots of weeds which are home to aquatic food sources of all kinds. 

 

The most popular tubing areas are Alligator Point, Leighton Springs, Mc Gee Creek and Hilton Bay.  Though the northwest side of the lake has good vehicle access, some areas are best accessed by boat.  Often times fishermen will load their tubes on to a mother ship so to speak, motor out to the area they want to fish and get dropped off.

 

The best way to be introduced to Crowley is to spend a morning on the lake with one of our guides.  Give us a call and we will make arrangements for you to experience the great fishing on of California’s most productive lakes.

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