California Fishing Reports ยท Eastern Sierra Region
Above Crowley Lake, the Upper Owens winds through open meadows below the Sierra, with big fall browns and rainbows running up from the lake.
Looking for the latest Upper Owens River report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the Upper Owens River.
Current flows
There is no live gauge on this stretch. Check nearby gauges on the California fishing reports page.
Wind forecast
Upper Owens River fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
There is no live gauge on this stretch. Lake-run fish move up the river in the fall.
Fish nymphs and small streamers in the undercut banks. Many Eastern Sierra waters have seasonal closures in mid-November, so check the regulations.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Upper Owens, bring: Woolly Bugger #6-8, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-18, Zebra Midge #18-20, Elk Hair Caddis #14-16, RS2 Emerger #18-22, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Black Beauty #20-24, Egg #14-16, Squirmy Wormie #12-14, Scud Bomb #14-16.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Upper Owens River details
| Access | Public access off Benton Crossing Road near Crowley Lake. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 7,000 ft |
| Nearest town | Mammoth Lakes, California |
| Best season | Spring through fall |
| Fish | Brown and rainbow trout |
| Regulations | Seasonal closures and special rules apply. Check the California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations for the current rules. A California sport fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 ft leaders, 4X to 5X tippet |
| Camping | Mammoth Lakes-area campgrounds |
| Kids | Partly. Open meadows but windy. |
| Good to know | Very windy afternoons. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Check the season.
Spring
Runoff.
Summer
Caddis and hoppers.
Fall
Lake-run fish.
How to get there
From Mammoth Lakes, take US-395 south to Benton Crossing Road.