Something fishy is going on almost everywhere in the Eastern Sierra!  Plan your trip to your favorite Mono County fishing spot around this year's derbies, events and festivals.

2013 FISHING EVENTS

Jan. 1 - April 14 - Topaz Lake Fishing Derby - Topaz Lake.   The fishing season at Topaz Lake (California-Nevada border) goes from Jan. 1 - Sept. 30, 2011!  Topaz Lodge hosts their annual fishing derby from Jan. 1 until April 15 -- catch tagged fish for cash and prizes. No entry fee!  Contact 800-962-0732 / http://www.TopazLodge.com/

April 27 - Fishmas Day Celebration at Tom's Place - Tom's Place. A fun-filled fishing derby with cash prizes, 50/50 raffle for cash, and lots of contest categories. Advance registration required. Contact (760) 935-4239 / www.TomsPlaceResort.com

April 27 - Crowley Lake Resort "Big Fish" Contest - Crowley Lake. No entry fee -- just bring your opening day catch to Crowley Lake Fish Camp Tackle shop for prizes and fame.  Contact 760-935-4301 / www.CrowleyLakeFishCamp.com/.

April 27 - Opening Day Fishmas Festival - Village at Mammoth, 4-7pm. Live music with Jeffrey James, 2 for 1 Fish Tacos at Gomez's, Mammoth Brewing Company beer tent, giveaways from the Eastern Sierra Fishing Coalition, and more! And you can buy your raffle tickets to win a 14-foot Klamath boat with 8 hp Honda Marine Outboard motor and EZ-Load Trailer -- proceeds help stock fish in Mono County. For more info: Eastern Sierra Fishing Coalition.  

April 27 - Monster Fish Contest - June Lake Loop - Prizes will be awarded for biggest trout caught by a local resident, biggest trout caught by a chile, biggest trout caught by a woman, and the ugliest trout entered. Contact www.JuneLakeLoop.com.

April 27 - 28 - Mono Village Fishing Opener Derby - Upper Twin Lakes, Bridgeport.  Cash and merchandise prizes given in several categories. Registration fee required. Contact (760) 932-7071 /www.MonoVillage.com.

April 27 through November 15 - Gull Lake Marina "Fish of the Month Club" Derby - June Lake Loop. Cash prizes are awarded for the biggest catch from Gull Lake every month of fishing season! Entry fee is just $5. Plus, rent a boat from the marina and catch a fish over 3lbs., and you get to spin the Wheel of Prizes!  For information call Gull Lake Marina at (760) 648-7539 or www.GullLakeMarina.com.

April 27 through November 15 - Troutlaw Derby - Silver Lake (June Lake Loop), Bridgeport Reservoir, Lake Mary and Twin Lakes (Mammoth Lakes Basin). Big, bad fish are on the loose! Catch one of these specially-tagged 5 lb+Alpers Trout from one of these lakes and claim your reward from the respective sponsors: Silver Lake Resort (Silver Lake),  Walker River Lodge (Bridgeport Reservoir), Tamarack Lodge (Twin Lakes, Mammoth) or Pete Gray's "Let's Talk Hook-up" Radio Show (Lake Mary).

April 28- June 13 - "Round-up at the Lake" Spring Fishing Derby - Convict Lake. Cash prizes up for grabs; advance registration required.  Contact (800) 992-2260 or www.ConvictLakeResort.com.

June 7-9 - "Hangman's Bonus Derby" Convict Lake - Convict Lake. Cash prizes up for grabs; adbance registration required. Contact (800) 992-2260 or www.ConvictLakeResort.com.

June 22 - Bridgeport Trout Tournament.  An open derby with several categories, funds generated from this event help provide more trout for Bridgeport Reservoir and the East Walker River. Contact (760) 932-7525 / www.BridgeportFishEnhancement.com; or Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce at (760) 932-7500 / www.BridgeportCalifornia.com.  

June 29 - Trout Fest - Hot Creek Hatchery, Mammoth Lakes from 10am -2pm. Bring your family to Trout Fest for free, fun-filled day of fishing activities and fascinating facts about California native trout. Hosted by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Contact (559) 765-4824 or open the flyer for more information. 

June 29 - July 7 - Mono Village 4th of July Fishing Derby - Upper Twin Lakes, Bridgeport. Cash and merchandise prizes given in several categories. Registration fee required. Contact (760) 932-7071 /www.MonoVillage.com.

July 1-31 - How Big is Big Fishing Derby - West Walker River. Sponsored by the communities of Walker, Coleville and Topaz, and the Northern Mono Chamber of Commerce, the 9th Annual How Big is Big Fishing Derby runs for the entire month of July. No entry fee -- just bring your fish in to the Walker General Store, and your catch will be weighed and recorded.  Lots of prizes. Contact (530) 208-6078 / www.NorthernMonoChamber.com.

July 6 - Free Fishing Day.  Come and fish for FREE in Mono County! All regulations still apply and Report Cards are required -- but Fishing Licences are waived on this day (and again on September 6, 2010). For more information on Mono County fishing regulations, contact the California Department of Fish & Game at (760) 934-2664 or http://www.dfg.ca.gov/. 

July 27 - Children's Fishing Festival- Snowcreek Resort Mammoth Lakes - Kids under 12 can catch an Alpers trout at snowcreek ponds. Event T-shirts, prizes. Contact (760) 937-2942 or www.KidsFishFest.com.

August 3-11 - Mono Village Summer Fishing Derby - Upper Twin Lakes, Bridgeport. Cash and merchandise prizes given in several categories. Registration fee required. Contact (760) 932-7071 /www.MonoVillage.com.

August 31- September 8 - Mono Village Labor Day Fishing Derby - Upper Twin Lakes, Bridgeport. Cash and merchandise prizes given in several categories. Registration fee required.  Contact (760) 932-7071 /www.MonoVillage.com.

September 1-3 Morrison's Bonus Derby Weekend - Convict Lake. Cash prizes! contact (800) 922-2260 or www.ConvictLakeResort.com.

September 7 - Free Fishing Day.  Come and fish for FREE in Mono County! All regulations still apply and Report Cards are required -- but Fishing Licences are waived on this day. For more information on Mono County fishing regulations, contact the California Department of Fish & Game at 760-934-2664 or http://www.dfg.ca.gov/. 

September 2 - November 15 - "Ambush at the Lake" Fall Fishing Derby - Convict Lake. Catch a tagged fish at the Convict Lake Fall Fishing Derby Series and win thousands of dollars in cash and prizes!  Contact (800) 992-2260 / www.ConvictLakeResort.com.

September 20-22 -The Fly Fishing Faire - Four fun filled days of fly casting, fly tying, and lessons for the family. Beginners to advance with great prizes. Contact 951-415-9920 / www.SouthwestCouncilFFF.org.

For more information about these fishing events, other sports events, music festivals, and food, beer & wine celebrations, check out our full Calendar of Events.