Location: Bishop Creek Canyon & Eastern Sierra, Bishop, CA
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Hey AV explorers, Thomas here and this Saturday, April 25th, 2026 is Fishmas! The unofficial holiday marking the opening of California’s regular trout fishing season in the Eastern Sierra, and it’s worth every mile of the 3.5 hour run up highway 14 and the 395. Bishop Creek Canyon is my personal favorite stretch of the Sierra, and for good reason. Within a short drive from town, four stunning high-country lakes await: North Lake, Lake Sabrina, South Lake, and Intake 2, all teeming with rainbow, brown, and brook trout. The lakes are expected to be ice-free by opening morning. South Lake is the crown jewel at 170 alpine acres with shore access and boat rentals – but don’t sleep on Intake 2 if you want to dodge the opening day crowds. There’s also plenty of room along both forks of Bishop Creek.
Before you go, get your paperwork straight. A valid California Fishing license is required. You can get these at places like Big 5 Sporting Goods or even Wal-Mart in the sporting goods department. For lakes and reservoirs, the general daily bag limit is five trout with a possession limit of ten. Always verify the specific regulations for each water body before you go, as special rules can apply, especially in wild trout sections.
Making it a Full Day:
There are options for dining in the mountains at Bishop Creek Lodge, Parchers Resort near South Lake as well as Cardinal Village Resort and Lake Sabrina boat landing near Lake Sabrina. When you need to come down from the canyon and refuel, Bishop delivers. Erick Schat’s Bakkery on Main Street is an institution – their sheepherder bread is legendary and the lines are long on a Fishmas Saturday for very good reason. Get there early, grab a loaf and some sandwiches to pack up the mountain. There’s also other options such as Mountain Rambler Brewery, Holy Smoke Texas Style BBQ and Whiskey Creek, serving up delicious varieties of everyone’s favorites.
Thomas’s Local Tips:
- 🌅 Get up there before sunrise – Opening day at South Lake or Lake Sabrina with the peaks catching alpenglow while you’re already rigged up and on the bank is one of the best mornings this region has to offer. The crowds build fast after 7am; beat them.
- 🎣 Start at Intake 2 if you want elbow room – It’s easy to overlook on a crowded Fishmas, but this small lake right along the road fishes beautifully and draws far less pressure than South Lake or Sabrina. A great secret weapon for opening day.
- 🏔️ Go slow on the canyon road – CA-168 into Bishop Creek Canyon is a well-maintained paved road, but it winds steeply at elevation and there will be trucks with boat trailers on Fishmas morning. Take it easy, enjoy the views, and don’t be in a rush.
- 🏷️ Buy your license before you leave the AV – You can purchase at various sporting goods locations such as Big 5 and even Wal-Mart’s sporting goods section.
- 🐟 Bring the right gear for early season – The water is cold in late April. PowerBait in chartreuse or rainbow colors on a size 14–16 hook fished near the bottom is the classic opener setup for stocked rainbows. If you fly fish, small midges and Zebra gnats near the surface as the morning warms will move fish.
Nature’s calling, it’s time to pick up… See you out there!
