Eastern Sierra Boating Lakes: Mono and Inyo Counties

The Eastern Sierra lakes along Highway 395 are high, cold and short-season, and since 2026 both Mono and Inyo counties require boats to be inspected before launching. Trailered boats and jet skis need the free Eastern Sierra mussel sticker from a WID inspection station; paddle craft must be cleaned, drained, dried and self-inspected.

The 2026 mussel rules

• Mono County requires every trailered boat and jet ski to be inspected before launching and to carry the free Eastern Sierra sticker; launching uninspected can bring fines, misdemeanor charges or impoundment.
• Inyo County requires watercraft to be inspected, and decontaminated if needed, before launching (County Code chapter 10.70).
• Inspections are free at Eastern Sierra WID stations, including Bishop and Bridgeport.
• Kayaks, canoes and paddleboards must be cleaned, drained, dried and self-inspected before launching somewhere new.

Bridgeport and the north end

• Bridgeport Reservoir: over 4,000 acres when full, a marina with skiff and pontoon rentals; the 2026 season runs through October 31.
• Twin Lakes (Bridgeport): launches, rentals and fuel at Annett's Mono Village and Twin Lakes Resort, plus a free paddle launch.
• Virginia Lakes: no gas-powered boats; a resort with cabins from Memorial Day weekend to mid-October.

Lee Vining and Tioga Pass

• Mono Lake: paddling only from Navy Beach; the islands are closed April 1 to August 1, and boaters should be off the water by noon in summer.
• Lundy Lake: a resort with rentals and a launch for small boats.
• Saddlebag Lake: a water taxi to the 20 Lakes Basin and boat rentals; the resort reopens Father's Day weekend.
• Tioga Lake and Ellery Lake: non-motorized boating.

June Lake Loop

• June Lake, Gull Lake, Silver Lake and Grant Lake: marinas with launches and rentals; Grant Lake allows waterskiing, wakeboarding and jet skis after 10 a.m.

Mammoth Lakes

• Lake Mary allows motorized boating, with three places renting boats; Lake George has a Forest Service launch.
• Twin Lakes (Mammoth) is electric motors only, and Horseshoe Lake is non-motorized; avoid low spots there because of carbon dioxide from the ground.
• Convict Lake and Crowley Lake are just south of town; Crowley launches at South Landing after inspection.

Bishop Creek and south

• Lake Sabrina and South Lake: boat landings with motorboat, pontoon and kayak rentals.
• Rock Creek Lake: 5 mph, a free ramp for small trailers and car-top boats.
• Intake II: a small Edison reservoir with walk-in lakeside camping.
• Klondike Lake near Big Pine opens for weekend boating in summer only; the 2026 season ended September 27.
• Diaz Lake by Lone Pine: motorized boats May 15 to November 1, 2026 ($10 a day), paddle craft year-round.

Season

Most of these lakes open in late April or May and close by mid-October; roads such as Tioga Pass and the June Lake Loop close in winter. Check each lake's page for its dates.

This guide is general information, not legal advice; check the linked pages and the county before you go.