McGee Creek - Mammoth Lakes, CA

McGee Creek, situated south of Mammoth Lakes, California, is a highly regarded and accessible freestone trout fishery within the Eastern Sierra. This lotic system, exhibiting classic high-country characteristics, supports populations of stocked Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), regularly augmented by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and a robust, naturally reproducing population of wild Brown Trout (Salmo trutta). Angling methodologies are comprehensive. Conventional bait presentations and spin casting with diminutive artificial lures are efficacious for stocked trout in accessible lower reaches. Fly fishing is particularly effective, emphasizing precise presentations. Nymphing with imitative patterns (e.g., caddis, stonefly, mayfly) is consistently productive across its varied hydraulic features. Opportunistic dry fly presentations during active entomological hatches (e.g., Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, terrestrials) demand accurate, drag-free drifts. Optimal fishing periods span from late spring through autumn, post-snowmelt. Accessibility is excellent via McGee Creek Road, offering numerous riparian access points and campgrounds. Anglers are unequivocally mandated to consult current CDFW regulations concerning bag limits and any area-specific gear restrictions, ensuring adherence to established conservation protocols for this significant Eastern Sierra trout resource.