Rainbow Falls Trail

Distance: 2 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 300 feet

Difficulty: Easy

Highlights: This short, easy hike rewards you with views of Rainbow Falls, which is especially stunning in the spring when the water flow is at its peak. The falls often create a beautiful rainbow in the mist.

Crystal Lake Trail

Distance: 5 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 1,200 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

Highlights: This hike takes you to Crystal Lake, nestled in the rugged mountains of the Eastern Sierra. It’s a peaceful, quiet spot with beautiful views of the surrounding peaks.

Convict Lake Trail

Distance: 2.5 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 400 feet

Difficulty: Easy

Highlights: Convict Lake is known for its clear blue waters and surrounding peaks. The trail is an easy walk around the lake with beautiful views, making it perfect for a shorter, relaxing hike.

Lakes Basin Trail

Distance: 4 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 500 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

Highlights: This loop connects several of the lakes in the Mammoth Lakes Basin, including Lake Mary, Lake George, and Lake Mamie. It’s a relatively easy hike with plenty of opportunities for scenic picnics and wildlife spotting.

Sherwin Lakes Trail

Distance: 5.5 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

Estimated Time: 3-4 hours

This moderate hike takes you to two picturesque alpine lakes—Lower and Upper Sherwin Lakes—tucked away in a beautiful mountain basin. It’s a relatively short hike with a steady climb, but the relatively gradual ascent makes it accessible to most hikers.

1. Mammoth Lakes Basin

Lakes to Fish: Lake Mary, Lake George, and Lake Mamie.

Why It's Great: The Mammoth Lakes Basin is a collection of picturesque lakes that are accessible via a short hike or even by car. The lakes are stocked regularly, and the surrounding scenery is absolutely stunning. You can fish from the shore or rent a canoe or kayak to get to the best spots.

Tip: Early morning and evening are the best times to catch trout, as they tend to feed more actively during these times.

2. Convict Lake

Why It's Great: Located just south of Mammoth Lakes, Convict Lake is known for its stunning beauty and excellent fishing opportunities. The lake has a good population of rainbow and brown trout, with some large fish lurking in the deeper waters. It’s a great spot for both shore and boat fishing.

Tip: Try fishing the inlet areas or along the shoreline near the rocky points for the best chance at landing a big one.

3. Hot Creek

Why It's Great: Hot Creek is a unique fishery because of its geothermal springs. The creek flows through a beautiful canyon and is a year-round fishery. The waters are rich with nutrients, and you'll find a healthy population of wild trout here. The creek is a mix of small riffles, deep pools, and slower runs, making it perfect for a variety of fly fishing techniques.

Tip: Be mindful of regulations—Hot Creek is a "catch-and-release" area. The dry fly fishing can be great here, especially during hatch season.

4. Crowley Lake

Why It's Great: Crowley Lake is one of the largest and most popular fly fishing destinations in the region. It's known for its excellent stillwater fishing for trophy-sized trout. The lake has a unique fishery, with some of the largest brown trout in the area. It’s great for fly fishing from a boat or from the shore, especially around the lake’s many inlets and coves.

Tip: Target areas near the hot springs and inlets, where the fish congregate.

5. Lower Owens River

Why It's Great: The Lower Owens River is located to the south of Mammoth Lakes, near the town of Bishop. It’s a beautiful, wild river that offers excellent trout fishing in both the canyon and the more open sections. The river’s cold, clear waters make it ideal for fly fishing, and it’s a great place for a more remote fishing experience.

Tip: The stretch near the Alabama Hills is particularly scenic and often has great fishing.

6. Upper Owens River

Why It's Great: The Upper Owens River flows through beautiful meadows and is home to some incredible wild trout fishing. It's a great spot for fly fishing with a mix of shallow riffles and deeper pools. The river is also a great spot for nymphing and dry fly fishing, especially when insects are hatching in the warmer months.

Tip: Look for the deeper runs and pools near the meadows, especially in the spring and fall