Be it Burney, Bridgeport or Bishop, anglers headed to one of California’s famed trout fishing destinations for the traditional season opener Saturday, April 26 will encounter near-optimal conditions with many popular lakes, streams and creeks accessible and stocked with trout.
A quarter-way into the 21st century, California’s traditional trout season opener the last Saturday in April endures as one of the more celebrated and anticipated dates on the outdoor calendar. Fishing begins one hour before sunrise on Saturday.
“The outlook is positive considering the above-average precipitation and snowpack this winter,” said Sam Plemons, a Senior Environmental Scientist based in CDFW’s Redding, Northern Region headquarters. “Generally speaking, this means north state streams will stay colder, longer into the season, which will be good for trout fishing.”
The Eastern Sierra is the epicenter of California’s trout fishing activity on the season opener, luring urban and suburban denizens from Southern California north along U.S. Highway 395 to the breathtaking and trout-filled waters of Inyo and Mono counties in an annual tradition many call “Fishmas.”
“We’re looking forward to an even better season than last year,” said Nick Buckmaster, a Senior Environmental Scientist based out of CDFW’s Bishop Field Office. “Thanks to our normal winter, we expect that fish last year have overwintered well and should be ready to catch. Thanks to the favorable weather and hard work of our hatchery staff, we’ll be able to stock more fish in more lakes, and our hatcheries are operating at full production.”
CDFW’s eastern Sierra trout hatcheries are operating at normal capacities having recovered from disease issues in previous years. Favorable weather conditions have allowed CDFW trout hatcheries to stock almost 800,000 trout statewide in March and April in in preparation for the April 26 opener.
Trout fishing opportunities are available year-round in California in many parts of the state, but the traditional trout season opener marks the start of the catch-and-keep season on many streams and creeks, as well as the reopening of much of the Eastern Sierra to trout fishing for the first time since last fall.
For details on specific waters stocked with trout, visit CDFW’s Fish Planting Schedule. Trout anglers are strongly advised to check specific regulations and opening dates in the 2025 California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations online. Beginning on Page 65 is an alphabetical list of trout waters with special fishing regulations. All anglers 16 and older must possess a valid California sport fishing license to fish within state boundaries, which can be purchased at CDFW’s Online License Sales and Services website or through a licensed sales agent. Licenses can be carried and displayed digitally via the CDFW License App and are valid 365 days from the date of purchase.
CDFW is now piloting CIRAS, a new angler survey and data dashboard platform powered by anglers and built for anglers. CIRAS provides new levels of data transparency and equips anglers with near-real time survey data to help plan their next successful outing. Visit the CIRAS website for more information.
CDFW fisheries managers are also asking trout anglers to help in the fight against aquatic invasive species and to “Clean, Drain, Dry” their motorized and non-motorized boats, including personal watercraft and any equipment that contacts the water, before and after use. Golden mussels, discovered last year for the first time in California, are of particular concern. Anglers are advised to check ahead of time with local marinas and boat launch facilities about any launch inspections or restrictions.
Even for some fly anglers who seek out wild trout and practice catch-and-release fishing, California’s traditional trout opener holds appeal, signaling the start of some of the best fishing of the year as warmer weather arrives, aquatic insect activity increases and trout become more active in their feeding.
These and other trout anglers looking for a fun adventure this summer should explore CDFW’s Heritage Trout Challenge, which encourages and rewards anglers for catching six different forms of California native trout from their historic drainages.
