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California · Fishing
Crowley Lake sits in the upper Owens Valley at the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada, and the fishing around it runs deeper than the reservoir itself.
4 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 4 spots
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Crowley Lake sits in the upper Owens Valley at the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada, and the fishing around it runs deeper than the reservoir itself. The four spots covered on this page span a range of water types and effort levels: Crocker Lake, Golden Lake, and the Hilton Creek Lakes are all high-country lake fisheries you reach on foot, while Convict Lake Campground puts you right on the water with river fishing access nearby. That mix matters because conditions at elevation and conditions down at the valley floor can be completely different on the same day. Crowley Lake proper is managed by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and has its own access and permit structure, so check current LADWP rules before you show up at the gate. The Hilton Creek drainage is a reliable approach for anglers who want alpine lake fishing without a brutal approach, and Convict Lake is one of the more accessible spots in the area for families or anglers who want a shorter walk. Seasons here are compressed by Sierra snowpack, so most of the high-country lakes are not fishable until late spring or early summer, and the window closes again by October in a typical year.
For the high-country spots like Crocker Lake, Golden Lake, and the Hilton Creek Lakes, late June through September is the realistic window most years, depending on how heavy the winter snowpack was. Convict Lake Campground and the lower-elevation water near Crowley Lake itself can fish well earlier in the season, often from late April onward once the California trout season opens.
Crowley Lake is managed by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and access requires both a valid California fishing license and a current LADWP recreation permit. Permit requirements and fees can change seasonally, so check directly with LADWP before your trip rather than assuming last year's rules still apply.
Mcgee Creek
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Sherwin Creek
~17 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Pine Glen
~20 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Tuff Campground
~15 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
East Fork Campground – Inyo National Forest
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
New Shady Rest Campground
~21 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Convict Lake Campground
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Lake Mary Campground
~21 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Palisades Group Campground
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Old Shady Rest Campground
~21 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Rock Creek Lake (Inyo National Forest, CA)
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Twin Lakes Campground
~21 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
A light pack rod or a 4-piece backpacking setup works well for the Hilton Creek Lakes and similar alpine water. Small spinners, PowerBait, and dry flies all produce depending on conditions. Keep your kit simple since you are carrying everything in on foot.
Yes, Convict Lake Campground is one of the more accessible fishing spots in this group. The campground sits right at the lake, and the shoreline is relatively easy to navigate. It is a much shorter commitment than the hike-in lakes and still offers legitimate fishing rather than just scenery.
These are backcountry lake fisheries that require a moderate hike, so basic trail fitness and navigation comfort are expected. They are not technical climbs, but you should be prepared for elevation gain, variable weather, and the fact that there is no ranger station or cell service once you are up there.
