Mono County Preparing For Fishmas Celebration With April 30 Trout Opener

MONO COUNTY, Calif. (APRIL 6, 2022) – Eastern Sierra locals and visitors alike are gearing up for “Fishmas” on Saturday, April 30, the official start to Mono County’s regular fishing season. With the relatively mild winter this year, most front country lakes, rivers, and streams should be thawed by Fishmas, so there is much for anglers to celebrate.

“The Eastern Sierra is home to some of the best fishing in the country, and we’re excited to welcome anglers to Mono County for Fishmas and the 2022 fishing season,” said Bob Gardner, Chair of the Mono County Board of Supervisors.

Mono County, along with Mammoth Lakes Tourism and private marina operators, will be stocking over $250,000 of trout throughout the county this spring and summer. Mono County, specifically, stocks 18 bodies of water in the region with almost 18,000 pounds of rainbow trout starting the second week of April.

Anglers are encouraged to join the effort to keep Eastern Sierra fisheries healthy and sustainable by practicing “catch and release” – keeping only the fish they need and releasing the rest to reproduce and grow. To learn more, please visit https://www.monocounty.org/things-to- do/fishing/sustainable-fishing/.

In 2021, CDFW issued updated regulations for Mono County. The 18 “resort lakes,” including Crowley, Rock Creek (Lake), Convict, Lundy, Virginia Lakes, Bridgeport Reservoir, Twin Lakes (Bridgeport), the lakes of the June Lake Loop, and Mammoth Lakes Basin, retained the traditional “Fishmas” opening and closing dates (the last Saturday in April through November 15). However, all rivers and streams in Mono County now have special regulations pertaining to season start and end dates, hook and lure restrictions, fish size limits, and possession limits.

For a comprehensive list of the regulations issued in 2021, anglers should visit the CDFW website at: https://fgc.ca.gov/Regulations/2020-New-and-Proposed#3_00 and bookmark the smartphone regulation map at: https://apps.wildlife.ca.gov/sportfishingregs/.

Something fishy is always going on in the Eastern Sierra as fishing derbies, festivals, and other events are scheduled throughout the season. To see a list of all fishing events, please visit https://www.monocounty.org/things-to-do/fishing/fishing-events/.

While a California Sport Fishing License is required of anyone 16 years of age and older, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) hosts two free fishing days each year where anglers can fish without a Sport Fishing License. The CDFW Free Fishing Days provide a great, low-cost way to give fishing a try. CDFW Free Fishing Days for 2022 are Saturday, July 2nd, and Saturday, September 3rd. Additional information on CDFW’s Free Fishing Days can be accessed at: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Fishing/Free-Fishing-Days.

Visit MonoCounty.org to learn more about fishing in Mono County, top fishing locations, fishing regulations, tackle shops, professional guide services, lodging, and much more. In addition, anglers are encouraged to follow Mono County Tourism’s Facebook and Instagram pages for real- time updates and conditions all season long.