Trout Abundant as ’94 Season Opens Today

Air horns were set to sound at dawn today throughout the Eastern Sierra, signaling the beginning of the general trout fishing season.

This season, a 184-day affair that ends at sunset Oct. 31, will be different from others in that most of the hatchery-raised fish have already been stocked by the state, leaving some wondering how the fishing might be, say, in August or September, when trout plants are lighter than normal.

Some are angry, others concerned about the new stocking schedule. But there are those who prefer to be philosophical.

“People here in the summer rely heavily on the plants,” says Rick Rockel of Ken’s Sporting Goods in Bridgeport. “They put the plants in at the launch ramps so they can go down there and absolutely annihilate the (trout). That is not a sporting proposition, and that is not what fishing is all about.”

What Rockel means is, you might still be able to catch a limit. You’ll just have to work a little harder at it.

Besides, the Department of Fish and Game says it has little choice in the matter, citing a lack of cash necessary to keep so many trout in its hatcheries for so long.

Fishing is generally allowed 24 hours a day in Inyo County, and from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset in Mono County. Bag limit is five trout daily, 10 in possession after two or more days’ fishing.

Special limits and restrictions apply in some areas and the DFG says it is the angler’s responsibility to “know before you go.”