“We haven’t reduced any of our stocking numbers, and we are looking at some increases. I expect all the lakes in the region to be very good because of the precipitation we had in 2006,” Haynie said.

Most anglers will target the Bishop Creek Drainage, Convict Lake, Rock Creek Lake, The Mammoth Lakes Basin, June Lake Loop, Lee Vining Drainage and Bridgeport Region. Those will be great choices again this year.

“I think Crowley is going to be really good early and late in the season,” Haynie added. “In the spring, it’s great for bait-fishing. In the fall, it’s become a renowned fly-fishing water.” He said lake levels in summer 2006 remained high and in very good condition, and he expected waters in the June Lake Loop to be very good.

Basically, all the waters on the east side should be very good. “I think the hardest thing out there is to make a decision where to fish,” Haynie said. “There’s going to be so many great opportunities this year.”

On a side note, cutthroat will again be planted in the region. They weren’t planted in 2005. However, they were put back on the allotment in ’06 and will be planted in June Lake, Grant Lake and Silver Lake this year. There is also a plan to resume stocking brown trout in the region. Catchable browns will be stocked in Crowley this year.

WESTERN SIERRA
Last year, the Kern River proved to be the state’s best stocked-river trout fishery, and all indications are that this year will be no different. Salmon eggs took trout to 8 pounds. The Kern is best fished in March and April, and then again from July through the fall. Water levels can be too high to fish during peak runoff months.

Lakes in the heart of the Western Sierra should be on tap for another great year.

“Nothing is going to be any different around here. The trout fishing will be great, but we are seeing a trend back towards downriggers,” said Jeff Huth of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis. “Anglers are getting more serious about trolling and are going away from the lead-core line. Guys are getting more technical in their trout fishing.”

Huth believes that while Florence, Edison, Shaver, Wishon, Courtright and Huntington reservoirs will still kick out excellent trout, Pine Flat might be tops in the region.

“We are going to see the Pine Flat fishery blow up. I think the extra water and stability we’ve had in recent years is going to drive the trout population,” said Huth, adding that anglers caught many 2- to 6-pound ’bows here last year.