Eastern Sierra trout-fishing season opens Saturday

The last Saturday in April is almost here -- a day many freshwater anglers statewide look forward to with great anticipation because it marks the opening of the Eastern Sierra general trout-fishing season.

Many of them are likely en route or packing their gear in their vehicles, getting ready to hit the highways for some of their favorite fishing areas in Inyo and Mono counties, hoping to find the spot where they can catch their daily limit or their first lunker.

Department of Fish and Game is stocking as many bodies of water as possible, though each water planted throughout California must now go through a "Pre-Stocking Evaluation Protocol," which requires the DFG to consider sensitive or listed species in each water relative to the stocking of trout, in response to a legal action challenging its hatchery and stocking operations.

"We have planted more than 56,000 pounds of trout for the opener and expect to plant about as many trout as usual by July," said Bill Cox, Department of Fish and Game Hatchery Program Manager.

Unfortunately, I won't be heading up Highway 395 to join the festivities, and neither will my former colleague, Pete Thomas, who on his blog shares some of his memories of the last 20-plus trout openers he covered for The Times.

My thoughts will be there though, wishing I were soaking bait with all the other exuberant anglers. Perhaps someone will send me a "Wish You Were Here" postcard, and hopefully next year, I will be.

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: Santa Barbara's Gary Ponto shows off a beautiful 2.5-pound cutthroat he caught last year at June Lake during opening day of the Eastern Sierra trout-fishing season. Credit: Pete Thomas / petethomasoutdoors.com

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Comments

[Renegade Lures]

What a beautiful 2.5-pound cutthroat! Fishing for trout is what most I love during my last 40 year, and hope Department of Fish and Game and anglers can maintain & keep that beautiful creature for next 40 year. Thank's for the information.