West Walker River and Slinkard Creek

Suggested Flies for Slinkard Creek and West Walker River:
Eastern Sierra Hatch Selection

Drys:
Humpy
Royal Wulff #14-16
Griffith Gnat #18
Goddard Caddis, #14-16
Elk Hair Caddis, yellow #12-16

Nymphs:
Gold Ribbed Hares Ear #8-14
BH Flashback Pheasant Tail #12-18
BH Deep Sparkle Pupa #14-20
Poxyback Green Drake #14-16
A.P. Nymph, Black #14-16

Directions:

Slinkard Creek: At the junction of Hwy 395 and 89, follow Hwy 89 (Moniter Pass) through the canyon for 3.3 miles to a dirt road (Boarshead Road). Follow Boarshead road for 5.5 miles where it crosses Slinkard Creek. The rock barrier is about 3/4 miles downstream of the crossing.

West Walker River: Follows Hwy 395 from just south of Lake Topaz through Antelope Valley.

Fishing Report: West Walker

Flow Report: West Walker

Notes:
Slinkard Creek is a tributary of the West Walker River flowing into Lake Topaz and is drained into a series of irrigation ditches within the Antelope Valley. Slinkard is within the historic Lahontan Cutthroat region and was the first creek within that region, selected by CDFW, for Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi) restoration. The creek flows for some distance through the Slinkard Valley and a rock barrier was created to keep invasive fish species such as Brown trout and Brookies out. About 1.5 miles upstream of this barrier, the creek was treated with rotenone in August 1987 and June 1988 to primarily remove Brookies. Lahontan cutthroat trout were transplanted from By Day Creek near Bishop following treatment. The California Department of Fish and Game attempted to rear Lahontan cutthroat trout in a makeshift hatchery on Slinkard Creek in the early 1990s, but abandoned the effort. By 2001, the population of Lahontan cutthroat trout in Slinkard Creek was judged to be self-sustaining, and Slinkard Creek was opened to limited angling. Some follow-up activity on Slinkard was conducted in 2014 by CDFW with the assistance of a consortium of environmental groups: Cal Trout, Trout Unlimited, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Southwest Council of Fly Fishers International. Slinkard Creek downstream of the rock barrier is open to fishing following the Sierra District General Regulations (open from the last Saturday in April through November 15th with a daily bag limit of five fish and a possession limit of ten fish) 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. Above the rock barrier, where the Lahontan Cutthroat trout populate, the season is open all year using only artificial flies with barbless hooks. 0 trout limit.

West Walker River from the community of Walker to Topaz Lake runs through the Antelope Valley. It is a slow flowing stream and access is difficult due to the private lands surrounding the river. If you do find access, you must remain within the high watermark of the river and not trespass the private property. There are areas of the river that are home to some large Brown trout.

Fishing Regulations (Effective March 1st, 2021)

Slinkard Creek and Tributaries downstream of rock gabbion barrier:

From the last Saturday in April through November 15, five 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.

Slinkard Creek and Tributaries upstream from rock gabbion barrier:

Open all year. Artificial flies with barbless hooks. 0 trout.

West Walker River from the confluence with the Little Walker River bridge downstream to the inlet of Topaz Lake:

From the last Saturday in April through November 15, five 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.

Topaz Lake:

Open all year. 5 trout per day. 10 in possession.

All other creeks and tributaries: