Fishing Rules & Regulations
Fishing License Required:
A California Sport Fishing license is required of anyone 16 years of age or over, fishing any waters in Mono County (Note: A California or Nevada Fishing License works on Topaz Lake). Purchase your license online now from the California Department of Fish & Wildlife or by calling CA DFW Telephone Sales (800) 565-1458, or in person at most regional tackle shops.
1-Day, 2-Day, 10-Day, and annual options available for both CA residents and non-residents. Pricing and more details at www.wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Fishing.
Free Fishing Days:
Two free fishing days are July 3, 2021 and September 4, 2021. On these days, you can fish without a sport fishing license (all other fishing regulations still apply though). Please see the CDFW website for more information.
NEW FISHING REGULATIONS FOR 2021
Body of Water |
Fishing Season Dates and Regulations Effective March 1, 2021 |
Daily Bag & Possession Limit |
Rock Creek Lake |
Last Saturday in April through Nov. 15. Closed the rest of the year. |
5 trout |
Rock Creek |
Last Saturday in April through Nov. 15. |
5 trout per day, 10 in possession |
Rock Creek continued |
Nov. 16 through the Friday preceding the last Saturday in April. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used. |
0 trout |
Crowley Lake |
Last Saturday in April through July 31. |
5 trout |
Crowley Lake continued |
August 1 through Nov. 15. Only artificial lures may be used. Minimum size limit: 18 inches total length. Closed Nov. 16 through the last Friday in April. |
2 trout |
McGee Creek downstream from Hwy. 395 |
Saturday preceding Memorial Day through Sept. 30. Closed the rest of the year. |
5 trout |
(A) Upper Owens River from Benton Crossing bridge (on Benton Crossing Road) upstream to Big Springs |
All year. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used. |
0 trout |
(B) Upper Owens River from Benton Crossing bridge (on Benton Crossing Road) downstream to Crowley Lake |
Last Saturday in April through July 31. |
5 trout |
(B) Upper Owens River from Benton Crossing bridge (on Benton Crossing Road) downstream to Crowley Lake continued |
August 1 through Nov. 15. Only artificial lures may be used. Minimum size limit: 18 inches total length. Closed Nov. 16 through the last Friday in April. |
2 trout |
Convict Lake |
Last Saturday in April through Nov. 15. Closed the rest of the year. |
5 trout |
Hot Creek |
All year. Only artificial flies with barbless hooks may be used. |
0 trout |
Mammoth Lakes Basin: Lake Mamie, Lake Mary, Lake George, Twin Lakes |
Last Saturday in April through Nov. 15. Closed the rest of the year. |
5 trout |
June Lake Loop: June Lake, Gull Lake, Silver Lake, Grant Lake |
Last Saturday in April through Nov. 15. Closed the rest of the year. |
5 trout |
Rush Creek between Silver Lake & Grant Lake |
Saturday preceding Memorial Day through Sept. 30. Closed the rest of the year. |
5 trout |
Lee Vining Creek from Lee Vining conduit downstream to Mono Lake |
Saturday preceding Memorial Day through Sept. 30 |
2 trout per day, 4 in possession |
Lee Vining Creek from Lee Vining conduit downstream to Mono Lake continued |
Oct. 1 through the Friday preceding Memorial Day. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used. |
0 trout |
Lee Vining Creek from Lee Vining conduit upstream |
Last Saturday in April through Nov. 15. |
5 trout per day, 10 in possession |
Lee Vining Creek from Lee Vining conduit upstream continued |
Nov. 16 through the Friday preceding the last Saturday in April. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used. |
0 trout |
Ellery Lake, Tioga Lake, Saddlebag Lake |
Open all year. |
5 trout per day, 10 in possession |
Lundy Lake |
Last Saturday in April through Nov. 15. Closed the rest of the year. |
5 trout |
Upper & Lower Virginia Lakes |
Last Saturday in April through Nov. 15. Closed the rest of the year. |
5 trout |
Upper & Lower Twin Lakes - Bridgeport |
Last Saturday in April through Nov. 15. Closed the rest of the year. |
5 trout |
Robinson Creek from US Forest Service boundary downstream to Upper Twin Lake, and between Upper and Lower Twin Lake |
Saturday preceding Memorial Day through Sept. 30. Closed the rest of the year. |
5 trout |
Robinson Creek all other sections |
Last Saturday in April through Nov. 15. |
5 trout |
Robinson Creek all other sections continued |
Nov. 16 through the Friday preceding the last Saturday in April. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used. |
0 trout |
Bridgeport Reservoir |
Last Saturday in April through Nov. 15. Closed the rest of the year. |
5 trout |
East Walker River |
Last Saturday in April through Nov. 15. Closed the rest of the year. Artificial lures only. Minimum size limit: 18 inches total length. |
2 trout |
West Walker River |
Last Saturday in April through Nov. 15. |
5 trout per day, 10 in possession |
West Walker River continued |
Nov. 16 through the Friday preceding the last Saturday in April. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used. |
0 trout |
Topaz Lake |
Open all year. |
5 trout per day, 10 in possession |
Please click the image for printable PDF version:
For more information about fishing rules and regulations, please contact the California Department of Fish & Wildlife at 760-872-1171 or visit www.wildlife.ca.gov or one of the friendly guide services available in Mono County.