Eastern Sierra / Mono County

Hot Creek

Hot Creek is arguably the most technically demanding trout stream in California, a short spring creek near Mammoth Lakes that packs an extraordinary density of large, wild trout into a remarkably small stretch of water. Geothermal springs warm the creek and create year-round growing conditions that produce browns and rainbows averaging 14-18 inches in a creek narrow enough to cast across. The public access section is managed as catch-and-release, and the fish are legendarily selective, making Hot Creek a proving ground for skilled fly fishers.

Overview

Hot Creek is a unique phenomenon in California fly fishing: a short, narrow spring creek fed by geothermal hot springs in the volcanic landscape of the Owens Valley. The public fishing section encompasses approximately 2 miles of open meadow water managed by the Bureau of Land Management, flowing through bright green meadows against the dramatic backdrop of the Mammoth Crest and the White Mountains. The creek is narrow, typically 15-30 feet wide, with crystal-clear water, dense aquatic vegetation, and an astonishing population of wild brown and rainbow trout.

The geothermal component is what sets Hot Creek apart from other spring creeks. Hot springs emerge along the creek, warming the water and creating stable temperatures year-round (typically 52-62 degrees). This thermal stability supports continuous insect activity and trout feeding in every season, even when snow blankets the meadow. The warm water also accelerates trout growth rates, producing fish that are heavy for their length.

The difficulty of Hot Creek is legendary in fly fishing circles. The trout see an enormous number of flies each season, thousands of anglers visit annually, and the fish have become exceptionally selective. The water is crystal clear, the currents are complex with multiple micro-currents creating drag problems, and the fish will refuse anything that does not float or drift perfectly. Midges are the bread-and-butter food source, and anglers fishing tiny flies (size 20-26) on 6X and 7X tippet are the norm.

Access to Hot Creek is free and open to the public, managed by the BLM as a special recreation area. Regulations are strict: catch-and-release only, artificial flies with barbless hooks only, and all fish must be handled carefully or not at all. The creek's reputation as one of the most challenging spring creeks in the West draws dedicated anglers from around the world.

Water Characteristics

Hot Creek is fed by geothermal springs that maintain remarkably stable water temperatures year-round, typically 52-62 degrees. This thermal stability supports continuous insect activity and trout feeding in every season. Water clarity is exceptional, often exceeding 20 feet of visibility, making it one of the clearest fishable creeks in California. The spring water supports dense beds of aquatic vegetation.

The insect community is extraordinarily rich for such a small creek. Midges (Chironomidae) are astronomically abundant and are the primary food source year-round. Pale Morning Duns, Tricos, and Blue-Winged Olives provide mayfly fishing from spring through fall. Caddisflies and various other aquatic insects contribute to the diversity.

The substrate beneath the vegetation is predominantly silt and fine gravel. The creek's gradient is minimal, creating the slow, smooth flows characteristic of spring creeks. The geothermal input creates pockets of warmer water where trout often concentrate.

Wading & Float Guide

Hot Creek is one of the easier waters to wade physically, but one of the most demanding tactically. The creek is narrow (15-30 feet wide) with a silty bottom overlaid with aquatic vegetation. Water depth ranges from ankle-deep riffles to waist-deep pools, and the current is gentle. Hip waders are sufficient for much of the creek, though chest waders provide more flexibility.

The challenge is not the wading but the approach. The crystal-clear water and open meadow terrain mean trout can see anglers from remarkable distances. Wading disturbances, silt plumes from careless footwork, and even the shadow of a fly rod can spook fish for hundreds of feet. Many experienced anglers fish from the bank whenever possible, crouching low and making long casts to sighted fish. When wading is necessary, move with glacial slowness and pause frequently.

Below the geothermal area, wading is prohibited for safety reasons due to scalding hot water entering from underground springs. Respect all posted boundaries.

Hot Creek

2 milesN/A, wade only

Hot Creek is strictly wade-fishing water. The creek is too narrow and shallow for boats. Walk the meadow trails, sight-fish to cruising trout, and make precise casts to individual fish.

Rod & Tackle Guide

Hot Creek

Rod: 9' to 10' 3-weight or 4-weight
Line: Weight-forward floating or double-taper
Leader & Tippet: 12-15' tapered to 6X or 7X fluorocarbon

Ultra-light rod essential for fine tippets and small flies. A longer rod (9'6" to 10') helps with reach casts and mending. Bring multiple tippet spools in 6X and 7X. Polarized sunglasses are mandatory for sight-fishing.

Seasonal Fishing Guide

Spring

Spring on Hot Creek brings increasing insect activity as temperatures warm. Pale Morning Dun hatches begin in May and continue through June. Blue-Winged Olives hatch on overcast days. Midge activity is constant year-round but intensifies in spring. This is a good time to fish Hot Creek before the intense summer pressure. Flows are typically stable, and the meadow begins to green up. Approach with stealth; these fish are wary even in spring.

Summer

Summer sees the heaviest pressure on Hot Creek, particularly on weekends. PMD hatches are reliable through July. Trico spinners provide technical morning fishing from late July through September. Midges remain the dominant food source. The best strategy is to arrive early (before 7 AM) to secure your preferred section of creek, or fish weekdays. Evening sessions can be productive with lighter pressure. The geothermal warming keeps water temperatures in the optimal range even on hot summer days.

Fall

Fall offers excellent fishing with fewer crowds after Labor Day. BWO hatches return in force by late September and October, providing some of the best dry fly action of the year. Trico spinners continue into September. The meadow grasses turn golden, and the Sierras provide a stunning backdrop. By November, weather becomes unpredictable, though the geothermal influence keeps the creek fishing even when snow falls. Brown trout feed aggressively before winter.

Winter

Winter fishing on Hot Creek is a unique experience. The geothermal springs keep the creek flowing and trout feeding even when snow blankets the meadow and temperatures drop below freezing. Midges hatch on most days between 11 AM and 2 PM. Fish tiny (sizes 22-28) midge larvae, pupae, and adults. The creek is nearly deserted in winter, offering solitude that is impossible during summer. Dress warmly in layers, and be prepared for winter driving conditions on Highway 395.

Fishing Pressure & Local Tips

Hot Creek receives heavy fishing pressure during the summer months, particularly on weekends. The short length of the public section (2 miles) means pressure is concentrated, and fish in the most accessible areas see countless flies each season. On peak summer weekends, the parking area fills early, and anglers line the banks.

The key to avoiding crowds is timing. Weekday fishing, especially Tuesday through Thursday, offers dramatically reduced pressure. Early mornings and late evenings are less crowded than midday. Fall (September-October) and spring (April-May) see fewer anglers. Winter fishing is nearly deserted, though the technical difficulty and cold weather deter most casual anglers.

Local Knowledge

Hot Creek demands absolute precision in every aspect of presentation. These are among the most selective trout in the American West, and there are no shortcuts. Use the longest, finest leaders you can manage: 12-15 feet tapered to 6X or 7X fluorocarbon is standard. Focus on drag-free drifts above all else. Use reach casts, pile casts, and slack-line presentations.

Midge fishing is the core skill on Hot Creek. Fish midge larvae and pupae patterns dead-drifted through feeding lanes in the morning, then switch to emergers and dry midge clusters when surface activity begins (typically 11 AM to 2 PM). Observe rising fish for several minutes before casting to determine their feeding rhythm. The local fly shops (Kittredge Sports in Mammoth Lakes, The Trout Fitter, Sierra Drifters) provide current conditions and are invaluable resources. Consider hiring a guide for your first visit; the learning curve is steep.

Species Present

Brown Trout

The brown trout is the most cunning and elusive trout species swimming in Montana's rivers, and it rewards patient, skilled anglers with some of the state's most memorable catches. Originally native to Europe and western Asia, brown trout were first introduced to North American waters in 1883 and arrived in Montana shortly thereafter. They have since established robust, self-sustaining populations in virtually every major trout stream in the state, from the legendary spring creeks of the Paradise Valley to the sweeping runs of the lower Madison and the deep pools of the Bighorn. Brown trout grow larger than any other trout species in Montana, and fish exceeding 24 inches are caught with regularity on premium waters. The lower Madison River, the Missouri River below Holter Dam, and the Bighorn River are particularly renowned for producing trophy-class browns. Unlike rainbows, brown trout spawn in the fall (October through November), and their aggressive pre-spawn behavior creates an exciting window for streamer fishing as large males become territorial and attack anything that enters their domain. Browns are notably more nocturnal than other trout species, and many of the biggest fish are caught during low-light conditions. What sets brown trout apart from other species is their wariness and selectivity. Large browns are notoriously difficult to fool, often refusing flies that are even slightly off in size, color, or presentation. They tend to establish and defend prime feeding lies (undercut banks, logjams, deep pools, and boulder gardens), and an angler who learns to read water and identify these holding spots will consistently catch more and larger fish. This combination of difficulty, size potential, and intelligence makes the brown trout the most prized quarry for many serious Montana fly fishers.

Rainbow Trout

The rainbow trout is Montana's most widespread and popular gamefish, celebrated for its explosive surface strikes, aerial acrobatics, and willingness to take a well-presented dry fly. Native to Pacific Coast drainages from Alaska to Mexico, rainbows were first introduced to Montana's waters in the late 1800s and have since established thriving populations in nearly every major river system in the state. On legendary waters like the Madison, Missouri, and Bighorn, wild rainbow trout grow fat on prolific insect hatches and provide some of the finest dry-fly fishing in North America. Rainbow trout in Montana display remarkable variation depending on their home water. Fish in nutrient-rich tailwaters like the Missouri River below Holter Dam can exceed 20 inches with regularity, their deep bodies and broad tails reflecting the abundant food supply. Freestone river rainbows, such as those in the upper Madison and Gallatin, tend to be leaner and more athletic, shaped by faster currents and colder water temperatures. In many Montana rivers, rainbows spawn in the spring from March through June, and anglers should be mindful of spawning redds during this period to protect future generations of fish. Rainbows are arguably the most versatile trout species for fly anglers. They respond well to dry flies during hatches, aggressively chase streamers, and feed heavily on nymphs subsurface throughout the year. Their fighting ability is legendary: a hooked rainbow will often launch itself completely out of the water multiple times during a battle. Montana's catch-and-release regulations on many blue-ribbon streams have produced exceptional rainbow trout fisheries with high densities of large, healthy fish that continue to draw anglers from around the world.

Hatch Chart

Insect	Suggested Fly	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Midges morning	Zebra Midge
Pale Morning Dun morning	PMD Comparadun
Tricos morning	Trico Spinner
Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) afternoon	RS2
Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) afternoon	BWO Emerger
Caddisflies evening	CDC Caddis Emerger

Midges: Year-round and astronomically abundant. The primary food source. Size 20-28.

Pale Morning Dun: Summer PMD hatches. Size 16-20.

Tricos: Late summer technical spinner falls. Size 20-24.

Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis): Spring BWOs on overcast days. Size 18-22.

Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis): Fall BWOs intensify. Size 18-22.

Caddisflies: Sporadic caddis. Size 14-18.

Recommended Flies

Zebra Midge

Top Pick

#1 fly year-round; midges are the primary food source

Best in winter

RS2

Top Pick

RS2 for BWO and midge emergers; fish in the film

Best in spring

BWO Emerger

Top Pick

BWO emerger for fall Baetis hatches

Best in fall

PMD Comparadun

Top Pick

PMD Comparadun for summer mayfly hatches

Best in summer

Trico Spinner

Top Pick

Trico spinner for technical late summer fishing

Best in summer

Parachute Adams

Top Pick

Parachute Adams for mayfly hatches

Best in summer

Also Effective

Perdigon CDC Caddis Emerger

Access Points & Boat Launches

Hot Creek BLM Access

Wade AccessEasy

The primary BLM-managed public access to Hot Creek. Parking area with trail access down to the creek. This is the famous 2-mile catch-and-release section with ultra-selective trout in crystal-clear spring creek water. Parking fee applies. All fish must be released. Barbless flies only. Arrive early on summer weekends as parking fills by mid-morning.

Parking · Vault toilets · Trails · Interpretive signsParking: 30-35 vehiclesDay-use parking feeOpen year-round

Map

Regulations

Hot Creek Public Access (BLM): Catch-and-release only, artificial flies with barbless hooks only, wading prohibited below the geothermal area (thermal danger). All trout must be released immediately and handled carefully. No bait, no barbed hooks. California fishing license required. Open year-round. Parking fee at trailhead. Verify at wildlife.ca.gov/fishing and blm.gov.

Always verify current regulations with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks before fishing.

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