Independence Creek / Independence Area

Name of creek: Independence Creek

Road condition:   Paved     

Region: Mt. Whitney Ranger District   Drainage: Onion Valley Trailhead

Description: A very small and shallow creek

Species: Stocked Rainbow

Closest town or supplies: Independence

Contacts: Mt. Whitney Ranger District (760) 876-6200; http://www.independence-ca.com/; Slater’s Sporting Goods in Lone Pine, (760) 876-5020;  Inyo County Parks and Recreation (760) 878-0292.

Nearest campground: Independence County Campground; Goodale Creek Campground; Gray’s Meadow Campground;

Fishing season: (See Southern California Trout Season)    

Tips:

Favorite lures or bait: Most Sierra creeks are too small to fish effectively with lures and spinners.  Your best bet is to poke and dab using salmon eggs or worms or Power Bait.  Small weighted jig patterns, especially grubs and very small tube worms work very well, and do not over look live terrestrials if they are allowed.  If you are partial to lures bring along small Panther-Martins in a variety of colors. (See Category: Fishing Tips – Best Lures and Bait)

Favorite fly patterns: Using a poke and dab presentation, small Woolly Buggers, Girdle Bugs, Yuk Bugs and terrestrial patterns always work well on creeks.  Dry fly patterns include Royal Wulffs, Parachute Adams, Humpies, Renegades, Stimulators, hoppers, ants, beetles and sometimes a Bead-head San Juan Worm. (See Category: Fishing Tips – Best Fly Patterns and Techniques.  Also read the article on fishing creeks if you are new to the sport of angling.)

Stocking information: 30,000+

Nearby fishing: Lone Pine Creek

Additional informatio

n: Stocking is most heavy at Gray’s Meadow and at creek crossings.

Directions: From Highway 395 in Independence, turn left (west) on Market Street.  Drive ½ mile to the Independence County Campground.  From the campground, turn west on Creek Road and drive 2.5 miles to the creek and campgrounds.

Map courtesy of mytopo.com.