If High Sierra trout fishermen had a theme park, the expansive Bishop Creek Basin would be their Disneyland. This scenic Eastern Sierra canyon offers something for every kind of trout angler. It has trolling and shoreline bait-fishing as well as tubing, excellent fly-fishing and backcountry native bushwhacking.

Long Lake is just two miles from a parking lot at South Lake. Photo by Ernie Cowan.

This fisherman's fantasyland offers three major lakes, some challenging river fishing and a few smaller ponds that often hide monster trout that the passing crowds overlook.

Tucked into the towering granite peaks forming the canyon are dozens of remote, crystal-clear lakes that hold hungry native brook trout or the beautiful golden trout.

Bishop Creek Basin is one of the few places in the High Sierra where, on opening-day in April, anglers drive to still-frozen lakes and experience the excitement of ice-fishing at an elevation of nearly 10,000 feet.

County crews work hard to open the roads to this unique annual fishing experience. On busy weekends -- such as opening day or the three-day summer holidays -- the crowds here can be challenging. But at even the busiest time, there are "secret" places where fishermen who like a shoreline all to themselves can still find it.

Bishop Creek Basin is located west of the Owens Valley community of Bishop, where visitors can find hotels and motels, restaurants, a casino, sporting goods and medical services. But just a few miles west, the basin's wilderness expanse offers excellent fishing, good campgrounds, friendly resorts and high-country hospitality.

The basin's three main lakes are the chief attractions. Along with a regular supply of hatchery trout from the California Department of Fish and Game, these lakes are also stocked with prized Alpers trout.

Raised locally, they have become almost legendary for their size, aggressive style, beauty and good taste.

Two forks of Bishop Creek provide anglers with scenery, solitude and spectacular pools that might yield an 8-pound rainbow along with the fishing experience of a lifetime.

Smaller ponds in the basin can yield native brook trout or offer a still-water paradise where flyfishermen can spend hours connecting with stocked rainbows or native browns.

If Bishop Creek basin is known for anything, it's the variety of fishing opportunities it offers. You could spend a summer here and never fish the same place twice. But most of us don't have the entire summer to enjoy this trout paradise, so let's take a look at some of the top trout locations that include the best lakes, stream-fishing spots and backcountry destinations.

THREE LAKES
There are several small lakes in the basin, but Lake Sabrina, South Lake and North Lake are the major waters here. Lake Sabrina and South Lake are full-season waters, attracting anglers from opening day to the close of the season. On opening weekend in late April, both of these lakes are often still frozen over, and fishermen's ability to drive to the lakes is a big attraction.

The road to North Lake is a dirt road and is not open until later in the season, after winter ice has melted. Lake Sabrina

Lake Sabrina sits at 9,132 feet and is the largest basin lake at 194 acres.

When the season opens, Sabrina is often frozen. Anglers scatter across the lake to augur holes and haul in some monster fish that aggressively attack their new source of food.