Fishing at Convict Lake and The Eastern Sierra
Convict Lake fishing is arguably some of the best in the West and one of the most popular fishing “holes” in the Eastern Sierra, boasting a fantastic supply of Rainbow and Brown trout.
Fishing season at Convict Lake starts annually on the last Saturday of April, one hour before sunrise and ends on November 15, one hour after sunset.
The pristine lake is 168 acres and ringed with towering mountain peaks. Situated in a bowl at 7,580 feet, Convict Lake was developed by a moraine dam created from retreating glaciers.
Access at Convict Lake is easy and there are several options; hike the lovely trail that surrounds the lake, rent a boat from our marina, or launch your own boat.
We are a California Department of Fish & Wildlife fishing license outlet and the lake is stocked weekly by the Department of Fish & Wildlife. Convict Lake Resort also provides supplemental stocking of Rainbow Trout throughout the season.
There is an array of other great fishing locations conveniently located to Convict Lake Resort, including winter fishing. Just across highway 395, is Hot Creek, the most popular fly-fishing spot in the Eastern Sierra.
Check out Sierra Drifters online at https://sierradrifters.com/ to guide your fishing adventures throughout the Eastern Sierra!
It’s Derby Time
Enter to win Resort Prizes!
You can sign up for the derbies in our General Store
Registration includes a CLR annual pin!
Round-up at the Lake
April 27, 2025 – June 12, 2025
Entry fee: $19
Entry fee: $19
Hangman’s Bonus Derby Weekend: May 23 – 25
- Cash Bonus Weekend $2,200 in cash for tagged fish
Prizes
$6,000 dollars in Resort Prizes
Ambush at the Lake
Aug. 22, 2025 – Nov. 15, 2025
Entry Fee: $19
Morrison’s Bonus Derby Weekend: Oct. 24 – 26
- Cash Bonus Weekend $2,200 in cash for tagged fish
Prizes
$6,000 in Resort Prizes
OFFICIAL FISHING DERBY RULES
DERBY DATES: Spring & Fall (Dates TBD every year)
*INCLUDES CASH DERBIES
- Event times: Sunrise to Sunset each day of the derby.
- Registration and payment of $19 is required to participate.
- All decisions regarding eligibility and prize awards will be decided by Convict Lake.
- Employees of the event organizer, as well as, family and household members shall be
ineligible to participate in this event.
- Names and likeness or event winners may be used by the event organizer (Convict
Lake Resort) for promotional purposes with further compensation to the event
winner.
- Each entrant must catch their own fish. You will be disqualified from the derby if you
attempt to enter a fish caught by a non-registered angler or giving your fish to
another participant.
- Fish must be turned in to the Convict Lake General Store the day it is caught. Please
check closing times of the store.
- Each fish registered must be at least 14 inches in length to qualify in the random
drawing of prizes.
- All prizes must be redeemed within two (2) years of the last day of the derby.
- Prize winners will be randomly drawn and be posted on our website
www.convictlake.com and social media pages no later than 30 days after the last day of the derby.
- There will be a total of 76 names randomly drawn for the prizes
- Prizes will vary from free derby entries to $25 to $500 Resort Credits and a
Deluxe cabin stay.
CASH BONUS WEEKEND RULES
- Tagged fish will be stocked in Convict Lake with a total value of up to $2000.
- Value of the tags are as follows: (1) $1,000, (1) $500, (2) $100, (6) $50
- Tagged fish must be presented to the Convict Lake General Store the day it is
caught. TAG MUST BE INTACT
- You may present more than one tag
- Cash prizes will be awarded within 24 hours
- A completed W-9 form is required prior to Convict Lake issuing any cash prizes over
$600.
Sign up to get our weekly fish report!
Convict Lake Resort, Inc. is operated under Special Use Permit from the Inyo National Forest.
