TL;DR: Fishmas is the Eastern Sierra’s unofficial, official holiday—where trout are worshipped, ice chests are packed. It’s weird. It’s real. And if you know, you know.
Forget brunch reservations and pastel-colored spring vibes. In the Eastern Sierra, the last Saturday in April isn’t just a date on the calendar—it’s Fishmas, the opening day of trout season, where we celebrate fish guts and glory
Yes, Fishmas. It’s exactly what it sounds like: Fishing + Christmas. A holiday that represents the religion of Fishing, getting up at 4:30 a.m., drinking lukewarm gas station coffee, and wild fantasies about the day ahead.
It’s Not a Joke. It’s a Ritual.
Fishmas is the real deal. People plan their whole year around it. Families camp out. Uncles who haven’t spoken since last Fishmas suddenly reconcile over tackle boxes. Kids catch their first fish. Grandpas get misty. It’s wholesome as hell, but also deeply competitive in that low-key, passive-aggressive “who caught the biggest one” kind of way.
And it’s not just about tradition—it’s about the thaw. After a long winter, roads are finally clear, the lakes are cold and stocked, and the air smells like pine, sunscreen, and the possibility of a 5-pound rainbow.
The Region: Where Fishmas Hits Hardest
The true Fishmas action lives in Inyo and Mono Counties, home to places like:
• Bishop (where people talk about trout the way some talk about wine)
• June Lake (trout Disneyland)
• Crowley Lake (opening weekend chaos)
• Bridgeport, Mammoth, Lone Pine—if there’s water, someone’s casting into it
Locals know where the hot spots are. Tourists will ask what’s biting. Locals are lying, by the way.
The Fish: They Are Stocked. They Are Plentiful. (For Now.)
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife stocks thousands of pounds of trout in the weeks leading up to Fishmas—rainbows, browns, brooks, and the occasional golden if you’re lucky. Local hatcheries hustle like elves prepping a sleigh. The fish are plump. The water is cold. And the banks are crowded with folks in folding chairs and floppy hats.
The Vibe: Somewhere Between a Family Reunion and a Bass Pro Tailgate
If you walk into a local tackle shop the Friday before Fishmas, it’s electric. Everyone’s loading up on bait, beer, and bad advice. Motel parking lots are full of float tubes and coolers. RVs line up at lakes before dawn. Someone’s uncle is yelling about garlic scent. It’s very serious fun.
Some towns throw Fishmas Eve pancake breakfasts or raffles for the first fish of the day. There are prizes, giveaways, and lots of storytelling that gets more dramatic with every beer.
Fishmas Isn’t Just a Day. It’s a Mindset.
Even though some lakes and rivers in the Eastern Sierra are now open year-round, Fishmas remains the ceremonial kickoff. It’s about the return of warmth, water, and a reason to be outside with people you love or sort of like. It’s about remembering where you left your net and wondering how your waders still smell like last year’s regrets. It’s spring, let’s make it trout-flavored.
Last but not least. Don’t Be a Kook.
Follow Sustainable Fishing Best Practices and Leave No Trace Principles so we protect our regions for generations to come.
