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Fishing in Inyo County, California
Seat: Independence. CDFW Inland Deserts Region.
- 179lakes
- 5launches
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo: Jim Morefield from Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Inyo County, California
Inyo County fishing at a glance
The seat of Inyo County is Independence; CDFW handles it from the Inland Deserts Region. Inyo County covers 10,197 square miles on land and 30 on water. Trout seasons in the county follow the Sierra District.
Of 179 CDFW lakes in the county, Lake Sabrina is the largest. There are 5 launches mapped here: 5 fresh and 0 salt. Hatchery plants reached 21 county waters on 177 weeks over the past year.
179CDFW lakes
5mapped launches
20streams
12shops and agents
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Map
Fishing water in Inyo County, mapped
CDFW lakes and piers, DBW and USFS launches, checked October 2026.
Lakes
Lakes to fish in Inyo County
- Lake Sabrina186 acres, 9,000 ft, 1 launch
- South Lake, Inyo County180 acres, 9,750 ft
- Pleasant Valley Reservoir115 acres, 5,000 ft
- Rock Creek Lake55 acres, 8,000 ft, 2 launches
- Echo Lake, Inyo County46.3 acres, 11,604 ft
- Hungry Packer Lake43.9 acres, 11,067 ft
- Upper Lamarck Lake39.9 acres, 10,913 ft
- Thunder and Lightning Lake36.6 acres, 11,714 ft
- Ruby Lake, Inyo County35.7 acres, 11,116 ft
- Long Lake, Inyo County, 10,752 ft34.7 acres, 10,752 ft
- Cottonwood Lakes34.6 acres, 11,185 ft
- Consultation Lake33.1 acres, 11,677 ft
- Saddlerock Lake32.9 acres, 11,126 ft
- Blue Lake, Inyo County30 acres, 10,398 ft
- Big Pine Lake #229.4 acres, 10,056 ft
- Cottonwood Lakes #427.9 acres, 11,119 ft
- Moonlight Lake26.6 acres, 11,050 ft
- Ruwau Lake25.7 acres, 11,040 ft
- Meysan Lake24.8 acres, 11,480 ft
- Sunset Lake24.8 acres, 11,460 ft
- Chickenfoot Lake24.6 acres, 10,785 ft
- Cottonwood Lakes #324.5 acres, 11,065 ft
- Birch Lake23.6 acres, 10,798 ft
- Long Lake, Inyo County, 10,535 ft23.2 acres, 10,535 ft
- Piute Lake, Inyo County21.6 acres, 10,952 ft
- Big Pine Lake #521 acres, 10,785 ft
- North Lake20 acres, 9,255 ft
- Blue Heaven Lake19.2 acres, 11,818 ft
- Midnight Lake17.8 acres, 10,985 ft
- Bishop Lake17.6 acres, 11,247 ft
- Granite Park 117.3 acres, 11,414 ft
- Horton Lake17.3 acres, 9,935 ft
- Green Lake, Inyo County16.8 acres, 11,050 ft
- Spire Lake16.5 acres, 11,555 ft
- Sawmill Lake, Inyo County16.2 acres, 10,020 ft
- Lower Lamarck Lake15.6 acres, 10,657 ft
- Pine Lake #115 acres, 9,935 ft
- Lower Baboon Lake14.5 acres, 10,975 ft
- Baker Lake14.3 acres, 10,758 ft
- George Creek Lake14 acres, 11,201 ft
- Box Lake13.9 acres, 10,516 ft
- Hidden Lake, Inyo County13.8 acres, 10,706 ft
- Big Pine Lake #312.8 acres, 10,247 ft
- Pine Lake #212.8 acres, 10,155 ft
- Muir Lake12.1 acres, 11,140 ft
- Treasure Lake #112.1 acres, 10,667 ft
- Tyee Lakes, Inyo County, 11,011 ft11.9 acres, 11,011 ft
- Red Lake, Inyo County11.7 acres, 10,457 ft
- Tyee Lake #411.6 acres, 10,876 ft
- Golden Trout No. 211.3 acres, 11,349 ft
- Sam Mack Lake11.1 acres, 11,788 ft
- Big Pothole Lake11 acres, 11,254 ft
- Loch Leven Lake10.9 acres, 10,739 ft
- George Lake, Inyo County10.8 acres, 10,712 ft
- Bottleneck Lake10.7 acres, 11,119 ft
- Longley Lake10.2 acres, 10,693 ft
- Long Lake, Inyo County, 11,144 ft10.1 acres, 11,144 ft
- Tamarack Lake, Inyo County10 acres, 11,575 ft
- Black Lake, Inyo County9.7 acres, 10,299 ft
- Thompson Lake9.6 acres, 12,129 ft
- Fishgut Lakes, Inyo County, 11,008 ft9.3 acres, 11,008 ft
- Bull Lake9.1 acres, 10,778 ft
- Granite Park 29.1 acres, 11,654 ft
- Honeymoon Lake8.8 acres, 10,394 ft
- Granite Lake, Inyo County8.4 acres, 11,798 ft
- Big Pine Lake #48.1 acres, 10,758 ft
- Golden Trout Lake8.1 acres, 11,385 ft
- Donkey Lake7.8 acres, 10,598 ft
- Upper Chalfant Lake7.7 acres, 11,155 ft
- Rocky Bottom Lake7.6 acres, 10,373 ft
- Cottonwood Lake #17.5 acres, 11,032 ft
- High Lake, Inyo County7.5 acres, 11,485 ft
- Chocolate Lake #37.4 acres, 11,057 ft
- Topsy Turvy Lake7.3 acres, 10,798 ft
- Treasure Lakes #37.3 acres, 11,226 ft
- Heart Lake, Inyo County, 10,434 ft7.2 acres, 10,434 ft
- Heart Lake, Inyo County, 10,808 ft6.7 acres, 10,808 ft
- Emerson Lake6.5 acres, 11,214 ft
- Treasure Lakes #26.5 acres, 11,181 ft
- Funnel Lake6.4 acres, 10,367 ft
- Upper Boy Scout Lake6.3 acres, 11,316 ft
- Upper Gem Lakes6.3 acres, 10,945 ft
- Lower South Fork Lakes, Inyo County6.1 acres, 10,997 ft
- Inspiration Lake5.9 acres, 11,473 ft
- Brainerd Lake5.3 acres, 10,299 ft
- Mack Lake5.3 acres, 10,335 ft
- Cottonwood Lake #25.2 acres, 11,032 ft
- Wonder Lakes, Inyo County, 10,893 ft5.2 acres, 10,893 ft
- Dingleberry Lake5.1 acres, 10,486 ft
- Treasure Lakes4.8 acres, 10,667 ft
- Birchim Lake4.7 acres, 10,273 ft
- Gilbert Lake4.7 acres, 10,414 ft
- Upper Morgan Lake4.6 acres, 10,945 ft
- Golden Trout Lake #14.5 acres, 11,250 ft
- Fishgut Lake #34.2 acres, 10,998 ft
- Hidden Lakes4.2 acres, 10,493 ft
- Marsh Lake4.2 acres, 10,394 ft
- Parker Lakes, Inyo County, 10,939 ft4.2 acres, 10,939 ft
- Buck Lake, Inyo County4.1 acres, 11,614 ft
- Chocolate Lake #24.1 acres, 11,057 ft
- Middle Baboon Lake4.1 acres, 10,975 ft
- Split Lake4.1 acres, 11,195 ft
- Upper South Fork Lakes4.1 acres, 11,069 ft
- Bear Lake, Inyo County4 acres, 10,182 ft
- Parker Lakes, Inyo County, 10,758 ft3.9 acres, 10,758 ft
- Schober Holes, Inyo County, 11,847 ft3.9 acres, 11,847 ft
- Serene Lake3.9 acres, 10,237 ft
- Tyee Lakes, Inyo County, 10,319 ft3.9 acres, 10,319 ft
- Little Lakes, Inyo County, 10,575 ft3.8 acres, 10,575 ft
- Flower Lake3.6 acres, 10,529 ft
- Lone Pine Lake3.6 acres, 9,922 ft
- Lower Chalfant Lake3.6 acres, 11,155 ft
- Schober Holes, Inyo County, 11,647 ft3.5 acres, 11,647 ft
- Robinson Lake3.4 acres, 10,562 ft
- Summit Lake, Inyo County3.3 acres, 10,798 ft
- Wonder Lakes, Inyo County, 11,054 ft3.3 acres, 11,054 ft
- Tyee Lakes, Inyo County, 11,027 ft3.1 acres, 11,027 ft
- Francis Lake, Inyo County3 acres, 10,888 ft
- Treasure Lakes #13 acres, 11,176 ft
- Brown Lake2.9 acres, 10,696 ft
Unnamed lakes CDFW lists in Inyo County
- Unnamed Lake #187340.9 acres, 10,116 ft
- Unnamed Lake #190150.8 acres, 10,516 ft
- Unnamed Lake #190560.2 acres, 11,217 ft
- Unnamed Lake #190571.2 acres, 11,205 ft
- Unnamed Lake #191542.3 acres, 11,355 ft
- Unnamed Lake #191610.3 acres, 11,357 ft
- Unnamed Lake #191661.5 acres, 11,313 ft
- Unnamed Lake #196290.9 acres, 10,653 ft
- Unnamed Lake #200841.4 acres, 10,893 ft
- Unnamed Lake #200860.2 acres, 10,936 ft
- Unnamed Lake #200950.5 acres, 10,775 ft
- Unnamed Lake #201033.1 acres, 10,775 ft
- Unnamed Lake #201190.5 acres, 10,775 ft
- Unnamed Lake #201380.3 acres, 10,693 ft
- Unnamed Lake #204440.9 acres, 10,712 ft
- Unnamed Lake #205470.6 acres, 10,447 ft
- Unnamed Lake #205650.3 acres, 11,018 ft
- Unnamed Lake #205700.1 acres, 10,817 ft
- Unnamed Lake #206001.5 acres, 10,496 ft
- Unnamed Lake #208260.9 acres, 10,824 ft
- Unnamed Lake #208490.1 acres, 11,070 ft
- Unnamed Lake #208843 acres, 10,757 ft
- Unnamed Lake #209220.1 acres, 11,218 ft
- Unnamed Lake #214841.3 acres, 11,063 ft
- Unnamed Lake #218850.4 acres, 11,578 ft
- Unnamed Lake #233081.2 acres, 10,135 ft
- Unnamed Lake #272090.02 acres, 10,395 ft
Streams
River pages for Inyo County
- Owens Riverriver
- Cottonwood Creekcreek
- Rock Creek near Mammoth Lakes, Mono Countycreek
- Pine Creekcreek
- Baker Creekcreek
- Tinemaha Creekcreek
- Lone Pine Creekcreek
- Independence Creekcreek
- Shepherd Creekcreek
- George Creekcreek
- Tuttle Creekcreek
- Symmes Creekcreek
- Big Pine Creekcreek
- South Fork Bishop Creekcreek
- Taboose Creekcreek
- Middle Fork Bishop Creekcreek
- Goodale Creekcreek
- Bishop Creekcreek
- Georges Creekcreek
- Tinnemaha Creekcreek
Inyo County flow readings
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Amargosa Rv At Tecopa, Ca | 0 cfs, 7.38 ft gage height | Nov 10 11:30 pm |
| Willow Ck At China Ranch, Ca | 0 cfs, 0.80 ft gage height | Nov 11 12:00 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 11, 2026 12:32 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Launches
All public launches in Inyo County
Fresh water launches in Inyo County (5)
- Diaz LakeDiaz Lake, boat launch, restrooms
- Lake Sabrina Boat LandingLake Sabrina, 1 lane, 10 trailer spaces, restrooms
- South Lake Boat LandingSouth Lake, 1 lane, 30 trailer spaces
- Rock Creek LakeRock Creek Lake, boat launch
- Rock Creek Lake ResortRock Creek Lake, marina launch
DBW Boating Facilities, USFS recreation sites and OpenStreetMap slipways.
Stocking and records
What CDFW plants in Inyo County, and records
Trout plants in Inyo County
| Water | Plant weeks | Last |
|---|---|---|
| Owens River, Section 2 | 24 | 2026-09-06 |
| Pleasant Valley Reservoir | 17 | 2026-06-21 |
| Owens River, below Tinnemaha | 14 | 2026-09-20 |
| Diaz Lake | 12 | 2026-05-24 |
| Bishop Creek Lower | 12 | 2026-09-20 |
| Lone Pine Creek | 12 | 2026-09-20 |
| Rock Creek Lake | 8 | 2026-08-23 |
| Independence Creek | 8 | 2026-09-13 |
| Baker Creek | 8 | 2026-09-27 |
| Tinnemaha Creek | 7 | 2026-09-13 |
| Big Pine Creek | 7 | 2026-09-27 |
| South Lake | 6 | 2026-08-30 |
| Lake Sabrina | 6 | 2026-09-20 |
| Bishop Creek, South Fork | 5 | 2026-10-04 |
| Goodale Creek | 5 | 2026-09-13 |
CDFW Fish Planting Schedule (52 weeks) and CDFW angling records.
Limits
Rules on Inyo County lakes
| Species | Daily bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black bass | 5 a day | 12 in minimum | All year |
| Trout | 5 a day | none | All year |
| Striped bass | 2 a day | 18 in minimum | All year except closures in special regulations |
| Sunfish and crappie | 25 a day | none | All year, except closures under district or special regulations |
| Catfish | no limit | none | All year, except closures under special regulations |
| Kokanee and inland salmon | 5 a day | none | All year |
CDFW 2026 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations.
Local help
Gear and guides, Inyo County
Inyo County tackle stores
- Big 5 Sporting Goods #513sporting goods store, Bishop
- Bishop Creek Lodgemarina, Bishop
- Gardners Home & Sport Cntrsporting goods store, Lone Pine
- High Sierra Outfitterssporting goods store, Lone Pine
- Lone Pine Sporting Goodssporting goods store, Lone Pine
- Mac's Sporting Goodssporting goods store, Bishop
- Reagan's Sporting Goodssporting goods store, Bishop
- Sierra Trout Magent Fly Shopfly shop, Bishop
Inyo County license agents
- Hi Country MarketBig Pine
- Independence Shell & Mini Market IncIndependence
- Manor MarketBishop
- Vons #1753Bishop
Guide services, Inyo County
- Bishop Flyfishing Guide Servicefly fishing guide, Bishop, (760) 387-2715
- Perforance Guide Servicefreshwater / river guide, Big Pine, (760) 934-6101
Nearby
Beyond Inyo County
Communities in Inyo County
- Bishoppop. 3,819
- Lone Pinepop. 2,014
- Big Pinepop. 1,875
- Independencepop. 593
Bordering Inyo County
- Tulare County80 miles west
- Kern County112 miles southwest
- Mono County124 miles northwest
- Fresno County126 miles west
In pictures
Pictures taken near Inyo County
Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY-SA 2.5
Photo: Scrubhiker (USCdyer) from Cañon City, Colorado, USA, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: nick thornton, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: The original uploader was User2004 at English Wikipedia., CC BY 2.0
Answers
Things to know in Inyo County
How much boat access is in Inyo County?
The county has 5 launches (5 fresh, 0 salt).
Which CDFW lake in Inyo County is biggest?
Lake Sabrina, 186 acres.
Are there public piers in Inyo County?
Inland only.
Which CDFW region covers Inyo County?
The Inland Deserts Region; inland rules follow the Sierra District.
Which shops sell bait in Inyo County?
Listings show 8 shops and 4 agents, such as Big 5 Sporting Goods #513.
Does Inyo County have working fishing guides?
Listings carry 2 guides and charters.
What waters are planted in Inyo County?
Plants hit 21 waters, chiefly Owens River, Section 2.
Which city is the Inyo County county seat?
Independence holds the county offices.
Which California license do I need in Inyo County?
A license at $64.54 for residents.
Explore Inyo County
Each spot opens to its own page of details.