Sierra splashdown

FOR more than half a century anglers have welcomed April with a common prayer: “Let it warm up before the Sierra opener,” and for the last few years the heavens listened. By the start of trout-fishing season, icy waters from Bridgeport to Lone Pine melted to reveal trout eager for bait.

But fate is as fickle as a feathered fly, and this season -- starting April 30 -- the forecast is for chilly weather and tough fishing.

“We’ve had a lot of snow this year,” says Mike Haynie, Eastern Sierra regional manager for the state Department of Fish and Game. Officials estimate snow accumulations in the Eastern Sierra are 130% above average. Many water bodies remain frozen, particularly those above 7,500 feet.

Cold weather means the fish will be smaller, because of slowed metabolisms, and less hungry. “When the water is cold,” Haynie says, “the fish slow way down.”

Wildlife officials and fishing guides expect an excellent fishing season once summer warms Sierra lakes and rivers, which will eventually swell with unusually large runoffs.

Large runoffs benefit fisheries in the long haul but can frustrate anglers by muddying waters with silt.

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Crowley Lake

Crowley Lake, where as many as 9,000 anglers are expected on April 30, is traditionally the most popular destination on opening day because it is well stocked and easy to access. As many as 50,000 Crowley Lake trout are caught on a typical opening weekend.

The lake is 99% ice free, officials say, but a cold snap could freeze the water, especially with no wind to break up ice.

Fishing guides recommend using inflated night crawlers, small spinners and Power Bait to catch the 355,000 rainbow trout planted by the Fish and Game department last August.

Due to the cold weather, state biologists expect most planted fish to have grown to only about one pound. Older fish may be two to three pounds.

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Convict Lake

Convict Lake is 75% covered with ice, according to Dennis Morrison with Convict Lake Resort, but road conditions are good, and Morrison expects most of the ice to break by the end of the month.

About 400 to 500 anglers are expected on opening day, vying for fish that are two to three pounds or more.

The Fish and Game department plans to stock an unspecified number of trout before opening day, and Alpers Owens River Ranch will stock up to 4,000 fish for the opener.

Morrison says the fish are hungry. “When the fish are biting here, you can use just about anything, and you’ll catch fish.”

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June Lake

June Lake is still partially frozen, but roads are open, and about 3,000 anglers are expected for opening day.

Many of the 15,000 fish raised in the fish cages at the June Lake Marina were jeopardized because the lake kept freezing over.

Nevertheless, the marina will release at least 3,000 trout on opening day, and because the cold has delayed insect hatches, the four- to seven-pound fish are hungry.

In addition, the Fish and Game department is scheduled to plant more than 4,000 rainbow trout for the opener.

Fishing guides recommend shallow fishing in June Lake, keeping bait in the top 15 feet of water and using night crawlers, Rapalas and orange and chartreuse Power Bait.

Gull, Silver and Grant lakes, the other waterways completing the June Lake loop, are also at least partially covered with ice.

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Bridgeport Reservoir and

Upper and Lower Twin lakes

The Upper and Lower Twin lakes, 14 miles southwest of Bridgeport, will be free of ice by the season opener, says Kellie Annett of Annett’s Mono Village on the Upper Twin.

Last November the Upper Twin was stocked with 5,000 browns between five and nine pounds, and locals expect at least 1,000 anglers on opening day.

“Shore fishing is good, and you can’t lose with Power Bait,” says Annett.

The Fish and Game department plans to stock the Bridgeport Reservoir with 4,000 rainbow trout.

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Bishop Creek Canyon

Lake Sabrina and North and South lakes, about 20 miles west of Bishop, are covered by 3 to 4 feet of ice, creating perfect conditions for ice fishing.

Sabrina should be accessible by car if the county plows the road, but North and South lakes will both require an approximately 2 1/2-mile walk through the snow.

Gary Olson, owner of Bishop Creek Lodge, expects 100 to 150 anglers at South Lake, about 200 at Sabrina and just a handful at North Lake.

The lakes were heavily stocked in the fall. Look for fish in the 3/4- to 1 1/2-pound range around the shorelines in 5 to 15 feet of water.

Olson recommends Power Bait, night crawlers and gold Kastmasters.

-- Charles Duhigg