REMEMBER TO PACK YOUR LICENSE, BUT PACK IT IN AFTER DARK.

Byline: Brett Pauly Daily News Outdoors Editor

Fishing in the Eastern Sierra is full of complexities, not the least of which are the numerous legal issues - what is and isn't allowed. Therefore, the Department of Fish and Game's ``1999 California Sport Fishing Regulations'' handbook is a must for every tackle box.

The biggest change?

It would have to be the reinstatement of the ban on night-fishing in Mono County. No longer can anglers cast lines at 12:01 a.m. opening day, as they could last year for the first - and only - time. Once again they must wait until an hour before sunrise, as traditionally signaled by a predawn flare at Crowley Lake, and may only fish until two hours after sunset, as outlined in Article 2, Section 3.00 of the state fishing code.

Mono is the only county in the Sierra Fishing District where fish must be targeted exclusively in the daytime; trout can be taken at all hours in Inyo County, for example. The DFG wanted to make the fishing hours section of the handbook more uniform and, in March 1998, allowed fishing after midnight in Mono County. But residents and county officials concerned over safety issues - and the integrity of the customary flare at Crowley - succeeding in overturning the decision in June.

The handbook, available at tackle stores, sporting-good outlets and DFG offices, contains various other restrictions, such as seasonal closures, fishing tackle and method, and size and take limits (generally five trout per day, 10 in possession - on or after the second day of the season).

And, remember, anglers 16 years and older must have a valid sport-fishing license displayed ``by attaching it to their outer clothing at or above the waistline so that it is plainly visible'' (Section 700). The cost is $27.55 for an annual license or $10 for a two-day license; fishing without one draws a minimum fine of $250.