Lee Vining Creek

Suggested Flies for Lee Vining Creek area:
Eastern Sierra Hatch Selection

Other Local Favorites:

Wet Flies:
Leadwing Coachman
Black Gnat
Grey Hackle Peacock #18
Grey Hackle Yellow #18

Dry Flies:
Parachute Adams #16-18
Olive Caddis #16-18
Royal Wulff #16-18
Griffith's Gnat #16-18
Henrys Fork Hopper
Chernobyl Ant

Nymph Flies:
Hare's Ear #16-18
Prince Nymph #16-18
Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-18
Bird's Nest, Tan #14-18

Directions:

Take the Tioga Pass Road (Hwy 120) off Hwy 395 in Lee Vining. Power Plant Road forks off Tioga Pass Road about 5 miles from Hwy 395.

Notes:
Lee Vining Creek is a "put and take" fishery that is planted on a regular weekly schedule with Rainbows through the fishing season near the Ranger Station and the four campgrounds along Lee Vining Canyon. There is also a number of smaller resident trout both browns and rainbows that reside in between these planted locations. The creek starts at the top of Tioga Pass and travels through a steep canyon with plunge pools and pocket water. A number of lakes control it's flow, particularly Ellery Lake. A power plant is below Ellery Lake with a penstock that delivers water to run it's hydro-electric turbines. This water flows back into the creek below the power plant and flows through wooded section at Big Ben and Aspen campground until it enters a meadow section below Aspen Campground. The creek is a slow meandering stream through the meadow and some wooded sections until it flows into a water diversion impoundment just above the ranger station. From this impoundment, much of the water is diverted to Grant Lake and eventually into the LA aqueduct. The balance of the flow moves onto it's historical outflow point of Mono Lake as Lee Vining creek is the second largest tributary for Mono Lake.

Lee Vining Canyon is the result of glacial activity that took place 20,000 and 140,000 years ago during periods known as the Tioga and Tahoe. Evidence of the lateral moraines left behind by these glaciers are easily identified within the canyon. Lee Vining creek flows through the alluvial deposits and the flow is influenced by the recessional moraines left by these glaciers. Originally, Lee Vining Creek was fishless since the glacial activity did not allow trout access to these waters. Lahontan Cutthroats were the first fish planted into Lee Vining Creek during the 1850's and a healthy LCT population thrived for the next 50 years. Water diversions, fires, and floods devastated much of the canyon water. Fish plants of Browns and Rainbows were resumed during the 1950's and water flow to Mono Lake was negotiated in 1985 so that much of this area is starting to recover as a decent fishery.The creek has a number of deep pools that provide protection for the resident trout.Within the meadow sections, use dry flies with fine tippets. There are good hatches of Blue Wing Olives in the early and late season. During the Summer, Pale Morning Duns and Gnats are a good choice. Within the deeper pools, use weighted nymphs in the size of #14-18. Streamers such as Wooly Buggers and Dace can get some good takes as well.

Gibbs Lake is a 3 mile hike from the trailhead. It is a small lake with lots of trees and shrubs along the banks. The lake contains Goldens as does the creek directly below the lake.

Fishing Regulations (Effective March 1st, 2021)

Lee Vining Creek:

From the last Saturday in April through November 15, 5 trout daily bag limit, 10 trout in possession; and, from November 16 through the Friday preceding the last Saturday in April, 0 trout bag limit, artificial lures with barbless hooks only and trout must be released unharmed and not removed from the water.

Lee Vining Creek below the Impoundment Dam to Mono Lake:

Saturday preceding Memorial Day through September 30th. No gear restrictions, 2 trout limit. 4 trout in possession and from Oct 1st through the Friday preceding Memorial Day, artificial lures with barbless hooks. 0 trout limit.

All other creeks and tributaries:

From the last Saturday in April through November 15, 5 trout daily bag limit, 10 trout in possession; and, from November 16 through the Friday preceding the last Saturday in April, 0 trout bag limit, artificial lures with barbless hooks only and trout must be released unharmed and not removed from the water.