The June Lake Loop isn’t just a scenic drive — it’s four lakes within five miles of each other, all of them fishable, most of them excellent. Add Rush Creek between Silver and Grant Lake, and you have more productive water per square mile than almost anywhere on the eastern slope of the Sierra.
The Four Lakes
June Lake is the most accessible and the most fished. California DFW stocks it regularly with rainbow trout. The east shore near the day-use area is the most popular bank fishing spot. Evenings are productive here, especially near the inlet.
Gull Lake is the smallest of the four and often overlooked, which is partly what makes it good. It receives regular stocking and gets less pressure than June Lake. Best fished in morning before wind picks up.
Silver Lake is the deepest and the most consistently productive for larger fish. The resort at Silver Lake offers rental boats and tackle. Shore fishing is best from the north end near the campground. Silver Lake also gets brown trout in addition to rainbow.
Grant Lake is the largest and the most open to wind — best fished from a boat. It holds some of the largest fish on the loop, including trophy browns. Worth the extra mile.
Rush Creek
The creek connecting Silver Lake to Grant Lake is a Class 1 Wild Trout stream — catch and release only, artificials only. It’s one of the best fly fishing stretches in the Eastern Sierra that doesn’t require a long hike. Access is from the Rush Creek Trailhead near Silver Lake.
Seasons and Conditions
Spring (late May – June): Excellent post-opening fishing after DFW stocking season begins. Water is cold and clear.
Summer (July – August): Good numbers, but surface water warms and midday fishing slows. Fish early and late. Evening hatches on Rush Creek can be spectacular in July.
Fall (September – October): The best season for larger fish. Brown trout go active in the cooling water. Catch rates on Grant Lake improve significantly in October.
Winter: June Lake and Gull Lake can be ice fished in cold years. Check current conditions before heading out.
License and Regulations
A California fishing license is required for all anglers 16 and older. Licenses are available online at wildlife.ca.gov or at the June Lake Village store. Specific regulations apply to Rush Creek (catch and release, artificials only). Always check the current DFW regulation booklet for the Mono County Eastern Sierra zone.
Gear and Rentals
Silver Lake Resort rents boats and sells basic tackle. For a broader selection, Mammoth Sporting Goods in Mammoth Lakes (35 minutes south) carries a full range of fly fishing gear and local knowledge.
Where to Stay
Whispering Pines is less than a mile from June Lake’s primary fishing access points. Our cabins have full kitchens for prepping an early morning before the launch.