Rainbows Are Biting at Convict Lake

Convict Lake has become the hot spot of the Eastern Sierra, with a string of large catches topped by a 7 3/4-pound 22-inch rainbow taken by Joe Lira of Pico Rivera.

Some of the lunkers are plants from Tim Alpers’ ranch, left over from a recent derby, and the California Department of Fish and Game unloaded some used-up broodstock in the lake Monday.

“This is usually our best time of year,” Annie Putnam said from the resort store. “It wasn’t too good during the full moon when they were feeding all night, but now we’re getting a lot of nice ones.”