Suggested Flies for Convict Lake Backcountry area:
Eastern Sierra Hatch Selection

Other Local Favorites:

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

Directions:

Access to the Convict Lake Backcountry can be by two main trails, one out of the inlet at Convict Lake with a climb of 2700′ and 6 strenuous miles, the other from a 4WD road that will take you up to Laurel Lakes. This jeep road is a turnoff from Sherwin Creek road about 2 miles off Hwy 395. Before reaching Laurel Lakes there is a trailhead that will take you on a 3 mile trek to Lake Genevieve with only a 700′ climb before descending into Lake Genevieve. From there you can easily access the rest of the lakes in the area.

Notes:

The Convict Lake Backcountry consists of about 8 lakes that drain into Convict Creek and onto Convict Lake. Some of these lakes did have Goldens but according to Dr. Curtis Milliron, DFG Fishery Biologist out of Bishop, most of the Goldens have vanished from this basin area since aerial planting was discontinued. Most of the lakes do, however, have a self-sustaining population of Brook Trout.

Convict Lake Trailhead

From the Convict Lake Trailhead you can reach the following areas:

Mildred Lake: 10 acres lake at 9,850′ . About 4.25 miles from the trailhead with a 2200 feet gain. Contains Rainbows and Brookies. A large meadow extends from the southern shore of Mildred Lake consisting of Rainbows and Brookies within the meandering Convict Creek.
Dorothy Lake : 150 acres lake at 10,350′ . About 5 miles from the Convict Lake trailhead. Dorothy Lake was named after Dorothy Forsyth, daughter of Major William W. Forsyth, 6th Cavalry, U.S.A., acting superintendent of Yosemite National Park, 1909-1912. It has Brookies and Rainbows.
Lake Genevieve: Lake Genevieve is 42 acres at 9,910′ and is about 6 miles from the Convict Lake Trailhead. It contains Brookies.
Edith Lake: 18 acres lake at 10,100′ . You must go off-trail at the southern end of Lake Genevieve and follow the inlet creek west. About 6.4 miles from Trailhead. It contains Brookies.
Cloverleaf Lake: 11.6 acres lake at 10,300′. Must go off-trail past Edith Lake another 1/2 mile. Contains Brookies.
Bunny Lake: At 10,950 feet , the 5 acre lake is 8 miles from the trailhead at Convict Lake. You must go off-trail at Lake Genevieve. Might consist of Brookies but now managed as “fishless” by DFG.

Passing along the eastern shore of Lake Dorothy, you can continue the trail up to:
Bighorn Lake: 6.5 acres is at 10,675′ elevation. About 6.2 miles from trailhead at Convict Lake and consists of Brookies.
Lake Wit-So-Nah-Pah : Go off-trail past Big Horn Lake annd go southeast about .5 miles. Elevation is 10,725 feet. Contains Brookies.
Constance Lake: Constance Lake is 33 acres at 10,950′ . Go off-trail past Bighorn Lake and go southeast for about a mile. The lake is 7 miles from Convict Lake Trailhead. It also contains Brookies.

Bright Dot Lake: 27.5 acres is at 10,650′ . Must go off-trail from the creek outlet .6 miles below Mildred Lake. Follow the creek about .8 miles. About 4.25 miles from the trailhead at Convict Lake. Contains Brookies.
The Laurel Lakes drain into Laurel Creek which follows the jeep road. There are two lakes. Each contain Golden Trout and are about 1/2 mile from the end of the jeep road. One lake (3 acres) is at 10,000′ , the other (8 acres) at 10,550′.

Fishing Regulations

Lakes in the Convict Backcountry:

Open all year, 5 trout daily bag limit, 10 trout in possession.

Laurel Lakes:

Open all year. Minimum size limit: 14 inches total length. Only artificial lures may be used. 2 trout

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.