Weather Iffy for Trout Opener

BISHOP, Calif. —  Those traveling to the Eastern Sierra today to participate in opening weekend of the general trout season can expect wind, rain and even snow.

Fortunately, they can also expect sunshine, with the best chance for that on Saturday -- which is opening day.

“They might want to think about keeping their hands, head and feet warm,” Mickie Frederickson, a spokeswoman for June Lake Marina, said Thursday afternoon, as strong winds and occasional snow flurries produced a windchill of 30 degrees. “But at least they won’t have any ice to contend with.”

All the lakes on the June Lake Loop, at about 7,800 feet, have been free of ice for more than a month and, like lakes and streams throughout the region, have been well stocked with trout for a season that runs through Nov. 15 in Mono County, and Oct. 31 in Inyo County.

With snow in the forecast above 7,000 feet tonight and again late Sunday or Monday, and with windy periods likely in between, opening weekend might be a wildly uncomfortable affair, especially for those committed to destinations exposed to high winds, notably portions of lakes on the loop and all of Crowley Lake and Convict Lake.

One of the coldest locations will be the upper reaches of Bishop Creek Canyon. At least one of those locations, Intake II on the Middle Fork of Bishop Creek, also will be one of the hottest locations, as the small impoundment has been dredged and restocked with nearly 10,000 trout trucked in from a hatchery in Nevada. Trophy-sized Alpers rainbows also are in the mix there and throughout the Eastern Sierra.

Ice fishing will be on tap at South Lake, at 10,000 feet, and nearby North Lake, which will require a long hike to reach.

Between the two is Sabrina Lake, which is covered with two feet of ice, with some free water around the edges.

“I just had a couple of guys walk out on it and it looked OK,” said Rick Apted, owner of Sabrina Lake Boat Landing.

Prospective ice fishermen should consult concessionaires or authorities beforehand, as conditions can change rapidly.