Anglers, conservation groups, and local businesses join forces to keep one of the Eastern Sierra’s most popular fisheries clean.
On October 3, more than 50 volunteers gathered along the Lower Owens River for the 12th annual Owens River Cleanup, an event organized by the California Waterfowl Association to help protect one of the Eastern Sierra’s most treasured fisheries.
Under clear blue skies, anglers and conservation-minded volunteers from throughout California joined forces to remove trash from the river and surrounding public lands. The annual event draws both Eastern Sierra residents and visitors from Southern California, many of whom regularly fish the Lower Owens and share a commitment to keeping it clean and accessible.
The morning began at Pleasant Valley Campground, where volunteers gathered at the metal footbridge for coffee and baked goods from Great Basin Bakery, arranged by Trout Unlimited. Representatives from California Trout, Crowley Fish Foundation, Tenkara Tanuki, Sierra Brite Dot, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife were among those on hand.
Fly-fishing clubs were particularly well represented, with members from Sespe Fly Fishers, Pasadena Casting Club, Long Beach Casting Club, Hi-Desert Fly Fishers, Deep Creek Fly Fishers, Aquabonita Flyfishers, and Santa Barbara Flyfishers participating.
The Lower Owens River, managed by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), is a popular year-round fishery that attracts anglers from across the state. For many of the volunteers, the cleanup is an opportunity to give back to waters they return to season after season.
Armed with trash bags and a shared sense of purpose, volunteers collected the usual assortment of discarded beer cans, food wrappers, and fishing line. Among the more unusual finds was an abandoned shopping cart, discovered far from the nearest grocery store. It, too, was hauled away for disposal.
Preferred Septic and Disposal provided a dumpster for the collected debris, while Inyo County waived disposal fees. LADWP granted permission for the event to take place on its property.
By 11 a.m., volunteers had returned to the gathering area to unload their collections and enjoy lunch. A raffle capped off the morning, with prizes donated by local businesses and supporters, including a guided fishing trip with Sierra Brite Dot, gift certificates, and other merchandise.
Event organizer Chris Leonard thanked the many organizations, businesses, and individuals who contributed their time, resources, and financial support to make the cleanup possible. In addition to those already mentioned, supporters included Fly Fishers Club of Orange County, Friends of the Inyo, Sierra Pacific Flyfishers, San Diego Fly Fishers, Sierra Mountain Trout Guide Service, Virginia Lakes Resort, Elevated of Bishop, Ducks Unlimited, Paymon Rokni, and Silver Lakes Resort.
The 13th annual Owens River Cleanup is expected to take place in October or November 2027, with a date to be announced.
For the anglers who return to the Owens year after year, the event is a reminder that caring for a fishery extends beyond the time spent on the water. Thanks to the volunteers who showed up, the river and its surrounding lands are a little cleaner for everyone who comes next.
