Upper Woods Creek


	Suggested Flies for Upper Woods Creek area: Eastern Sierra Hatch Selection Other Local Favorites:
	Dry Flies: Parachute Adams #14 Elk Hair Caddis #14-16 Stimulator #14 Madam X #12-14 Royal Wulff #14	Nymph Flies: Pheasant Tail Nymph #14-18 Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear #14-18 Prince Nymph #14-18 Bird’s Nest #14-18 Bird’s Stonefly Nymph #8-10 Copper John, Black #18-22	Streamer Flies: Muddler Minnow #8-10 Woolly Bugger, Black or Olive #8-10

Directions: Take the Sawmill Pass Trailhead to Sawmill Pass. This pass will drop down directly into the Upper Woods Creek area. The trailhead is off Division Creek which is south of Aberdeen. it is about a 8.5 mile hike with an elevation gain of over 6,700 feet. This goes through the Bighorn Sheep Zoological area so you cannot take dogs along.

Notes: Kings Canyon National Park encompasses the Upper Woods Creek area. Prior to 1973, many of the streams and lakes were planted with trout. This practice had some drawbacks to the native biota such as amphibians. After 1988, all fish planting within the park was discontinued. Park streams and lakes were managed for a sustainable fishery. Those streams and lakes that could not support a fishery were allowed to go fishless. MYLF Recovery Program However, by 1990, it was evident that certain amphibians such as the Mountain Yellow Legged Frog (MYLF) had not recovered enough and a management plan was implemented to eradicate certain lakes and streams of non-native fish. By 2013, 15 lakes and ponds were eradicated of fish. Over the next 25 years, the Park intends to eradicate another 70 lakes, streams, and marshes to reach a 15% level of fishless habitat. Most of these fish removals are within the higher elevations of the park and many are fishless due to the unsustainability of fish within these waters due to lack of food source, lack of spawning grounds, and shallow depths lacking winter survival during freezing periods. It’s interesting to note that King’s Canyon is allowing the planting of Rainbow fingerlings into the upper Woods lakes in 2024. From Sawmill Pass you drop into the Upper Woods Creek area of Kings Canyon National Park. Woods Lake: This 10,800′ elevation lake is about 1 mile below Sawmill Pass. Contains Brookies, 8-10 inch range but some up to 13″. Most of the smaller lakes surrounding Woods Lake also have Brookies. Rainbows have been reintroduced within the upper lakes during the Summer of 2024. The plantings are fingerlings to grow out. Twin Lakes: Taking the PCT north a half miles from the intersection of the Sawmill Pass Trail. Two lakes at 10,600′ elevation. Both contain Brookies. Rainbows and Goldens were planted within these water from 1927 to 1964. Neither could get established due to poor reproductive streams. The smaller Lower Twin Lake has Brookies 7-9 inches whereas the larger and deeper Upper Twin has Brookies 10-12 inches. Woods Creek: Below Twin Lakes, Woods Creek picks up enough water to support a good population of Golden Rainbow Hybrids., 8-9 inches. There are some deeper holes where the fish can reach 10-12 inches. The White Fork of Woods Creek also holds Golden Rainbow Hybrids but they are somewhat smaller, 6-7 inches.
	Fishing Regulations Woods Lake: Open all Year. No restrictions. 5 trout per day. 10 trout in possession. All other lakes within Kings Canyon National Park: Open all Year. No restrictions. 5 trout per day. 10 trout in possession. All creeks and tributaries: 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.