Bishop Creek Canyon

Fish & Trail Report

July 7, 2025

--The Big Picture--

It has come to our attention that some rumors have been going around, rumors that are specific to us and to what’s happening up here in the Bishop Creek Canyon… I guess keeping a lid on anything up here when visitors and locals are affected is a tall order. Even those of us who live and work up in the canyon are not immune. So, in an effort to stay ahead of this thing, especially now that folks on the internet & social media are starting to share some of the details, we’d rather you hear it directly from us….

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… it’s true, the overall conditions up here are such that folks are being overwhelmed by things being this good this early in the summer. ALL the outdoor activities that bring people here are available, accessible, and exceptional. The ratio of happy people to totally stoked people is really something to behold. Like, crazy good vibes are bouncing around all over the place despite peoples struggle to decide what trailhead to hike from, which lake to fish, what basin of lakes to backpack to, which one of the meadows or trails lined with wildflowers to photograph, what pass to climb……what about horseback riding? Then after I should I rent a kayak …or standup paddle board... or maybe a pontoon? Gosh!! I can’t decide!!! Too many options!

Our little high country haven is in the midst of a widespread outbreak of outdoorus-recreation-itis, the highly contagious early July strain even. Its so bad that I personally witnessed dozens of Parchers cabin guests spend a whole afternoon just chilling at their cabins listening to the stream and laughing with their family, nothing but a BBQ, some cocktails, and 70-degree sunshine on the itinerary. They’d already hd their fill of hiking & fishing so relaxation was the last box to check. I even caught some of the staff scrolling through pictures of their own hiking adventures from last week…its getting serious guys.

And now onward to the detailed portion of the report….

-- Water & Weather --

Generally speaking I don’t spend much time talking weather during the summer months because the weather does what the weather wants, when the weather wants to do it. Ma’ Nature has little interest in what the weather warlocks and their “InaccuWeather 9300” say it’s supposed to do on a summer day at this elevation.

Case in point; within the last 10 days I’ve seen bluebird skies, big puffy clouds, thunder & lighting, overcast, dead calm, light wind, gusty wind, rain, hail, hot enough for flip flops, cold enough for a jacket, and found my car with both melted chap stick and a frosted windshield….and that was just a Wednesday.

So when someone asks, “I’m coming up there in July or August, how’s the weather?”, the correct answer is “I have no idea, but it’s usually warm during the day and cool in the evenings, unless it isn’t.”. The moral of the story is to expect some gorgeous weather but bring some layers…

As far as the water situation, creek flows on both sides of the canyon are pretty much in the normal zone, great for fishing.

The level at South Lake is still coming up and she might even fill & spill within the next month. Our Lake Sabrina is down a bit, similar to last year about this time, but we’ve had quite a few conversations with the all the trout we’ve put in and they don’t mind at all.

--Notes from the Trail—

The hiking trails below Bishop & Piute Passes are mostly if not entirely clear of snow now making access a non-issue and giving hikers a gazillion choices...maybe even two gazillion. Haha. The only snow worth mentioning is a short section of snow cups just below Bishop pass and a 100ft section across the top. Thile while visually impressive and other-worldly in appearance, these short sections are no impediment to the many hikers and backpackers going in or out of Kings Canyon National Park.

Our crew has put in trail time to scout the area and we have confirmed clear trail and prime hiking to several locations including the first of the Treasure Lakes, the Chocolate Loop, Marie Louise Lakes, Long Lake, Green Lake, Lower Lamark and even all the way to Bishop Pass. I realize by now you must be thinking “my gosh, these people are so generous!”…. and so right you are! It’s difficult even for me to comprehend how much time our team donates, off the clock no less, to exploring the John Muir Wilderness, hiking to all the pristine alpine lakes, and enduing all the wildflowers, the wildlife, the waterfalls and dramatic vistas …and solely out of the goodness of their hearts. It’s a tough job but they do it all just for you guys….

It would be irresponsible for us not not to mention to ya’ll that skeeters are annoying, and there are plenty of them up on the trail, but they do help keep your pace up! One could say they’re great training partners in that context. 

One more note about the flowers – they’re popping off everywhere and getting better by the day.

-----Fishing Reports-----

--Lake Sabrina—

This is a pretty straightforward report – everyone I personally talked to caught fish and they all did so in different places using different baits/lures. So ya….fish wherever and use whatever and chances are you’ll catch ‘em. The only clear differentiating factor was boaters, both private boaters and rental boats, fared better than shore anglers. This is often the case once fish are little more spread out as boaters have the advantage of being to able to move spots easily and often to find the fish or troll to cover more water. Also of note is that on the warmer days the bite slows down for a few hours mid-day, at which point try switching to flies or maybe troll a bit to improve our chances.

The Hot Stuff – Standard suggestions - Thomas Buoyants red/gold, Sierra Slammer jigs (pick a color any color), nightcrawlers and Green Garlic or Salmon Peach Powerbait. 

The Hot Spots – The inlet, the southwest rocky, and the south side of the big rockpile down from Cookie’s point.

At report time we had 5 pontoon boats and 10 motorboats available for rent. We also have 4 NEW Kayaks, to go along with a canoe and standup paddleboards.

The launch ramp has a significant dogleg left at the current level and to be honest is a little sketchy if you aren’t solid at backing a trailer. If you’re careful to avoid veering off the edge of concrete you’ll be ok but if you don’t the drop is precarious and could be an axle-breaker. We’re hoping SCE & the USFS can get together to fix the issue as the ledge on either side has become pretty hazardous if you aren’t super careful.

Also – this should go without saying but I’m gonna say it anyway – make sure to give your fellow boaters & shore anglers some space...that means stay far enough off the shoreline so your boat or kayak isn’t running right over their bait. Also, unless you own or have rented two boats, boaters cannot share a fishing spot. If you can hear & understand a conversation happening in another boat, you are too close to them…so back off.

Don’t be a Dink.

Boat reservations highly recommended. Click here or visit www.LakeSabrinaBoatLanding.com

--South Lake—

Shortest report ever. Rent or launch a boat, find a spot near an inlet, use something with a hook. Leave happy. 

The Hot Stuff – Shiny stuff, brightly colored stuff, stinky stuff, must have a hook. See dock staff for specifics.

The Hot Spots – The lake has 5 inlets. Find water, find fish.

At report time we had 3 pontoon boats and 10 motorboats available.

Boat reservations highly recommended. Click here or visit

www.ParchersResort.net

--Bishop Creek--

Quite a few fish in the creek still, mostly DFW fish from last week but some 2lb+ models from Idaho still enjoying the area.

--Intake 2—

Stocked the week prior to the 4th. No reports.

--North Lake—

No Report.

--Backcountry Angling--

Wide open in many areas – black ant patterns, midges, mosquitos.

---Fish Stocking Update—

DFW stocked Bishop Creek, Intake II, South Lake & Lake Sabrina the week leading up to the 4th of July holiday to go along with the a bunch of Idaho Rainbows we dropped in the 2nd week of June. That was an especially nice batch of fish averaging1.5-2lbs. North Lake hasn’t been stocked in 2025 according to the current data available. We have at least 2 more loads of Idaho ‘Bows coming for the Bishop Creek, South Lake & Sabrina. We’re also scheming to get some Oregon fish this summer.

Lake Sabrina Rentals, Store & Tackle

Summer Schedule 7am – 6pm Daily

Boat reservations highly recommended. Click here or visit www.LakeSabrinaBoatLanding.com

The Waterfront Café at Sabrina

Coffee, Pie & Beer Counter - 8am – 6pm daily

Breakfast, Burgers & - 8am – 3pm Thur-Sun

South Lake Landing Schedule

Summer Schedule 7am – 6pm Daily

Boat reservations highly recommended. Click here or visit

www.ParchersResort.net/SouthLakeBoats

For Cabin Rentals visit our lodging website www.ParchersResort.net or visit the area links page on our website here. 

--USFS Campgrounds--

All Open: Bishop Park, Bishop Park Group, Big Trees, Intake II, Forks, Four Jeffrey, Mtn. Glen, Table Mtn Group, & Willow Camp. Go to URL below for more info and reservations.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/inyo/recreation

Weather Updates and Forecast

Visit www.LakeSabrinaBoatLanding.com and click the puffy little cloud below our phone number or go directly to our lat/long forecast from weather.gov here. Ignore the temp at the airport, you’re looking for the 5-day forecast for Aspendell below.

Until next time……

Sierrally,

Jared Smith

w/ contributions from

Seth, Nami, Steve, Judy, Debbie, Kathie, Michael and the rest of the Lake Sabrina, Parchers Resort & South Lake Crew

--South Lake—

Shortest report ever. Rent or launch a boat, find a spot near an inlet, use something with a hook. Leave happy. 

The Hot Stuff – Shiny stuff, brightly colored stuff, stinky stuff, must have a hook. See dock staff for specifics.

The Hot Spots – The lake has 5 inlets. Find water, find fish.

At report time we had 3 pontoon boats and 10 motorboats available.

Boat reservations highly recommended. Click here or visit

www.ParchersResort.net

Quite a few fish in the creek still, mostly DFW fish from last week but some 2lb+ models from Idaho still enjoying the area.

Stocked the week prior to the 4th. No reports.

Below Pleasant Valley Campground the Lower is open all year, barbless flies and lures, no scented products, catch and release. Here we fly and lure fish, more often with lures for a change of pace. Lures: Panther Martins, Thomas Buoyants, Rapalas with the belly hooks removed. Flies: We use the same flies and methods as at the Upper.