Crowley Lake Fly Fishing Report

Jarrett Coons of Sierra Mountain Trout reports on May 24th, 2026

Lake Elev.- 6778.2 
Surface Temp- 57*F+-

It didn’t take long for the fish Crowley Fish Foundation plants to get out into the lake.
We’ve already had confirmation on 3 tagged fish being caught and I will be guiding one
of the lucky winners in the near future!!

The bite on Crowley has been excellent-20 fish before lunch is not uncommon right now! Mild air temps still have the surface temp below 60*F so the fish are spread out and have not gravitated towards the cooler tributaries yet. Fish are spread out from Sandy Point to McGee Cree. We’ve been liking 25-30’, but don’t limit yourself. That the south side of Mcgee will hold fish too. 

The North Arm is also holding fish. Layton, Alligator and Christmas Bay are good spots to try. Hilton should start getting good too, last year at this time it was red hot, but this year, not so much. The midges have been really getting going about 8:30am and stomach samples have been full of small grey and black pupa and a few bloodworms. The cutthroats are really starting to show up, they have dominated the count this week with all shapes and sizes of fish coming to the net. Callibaetis are hatching as well near the shoreline weeds!

Crowley Lake is stillwater Fly Fishing at its finest, call to book your 2026 trip today!!
760-920-0659

FLIES-
If you don’t recognize a fly name it is one of my patterns. I tie all the flies we fish.
Blood Larva #10-12, Hemogoblin #12-16, Zucchini #16-18, Shaft Emerger #16-18,
Grey/Copper Pupa #16-18, Red/Blk Pupa #16-18, Purple/Silver Pupa #16-18, Balaced
Leeches #14-16, Callibaetis Nymph #14-16, Callibaetis dun #14-16.