Fishing in Lake Tahoe
The deepest lake in California
and the third-deepest in the United States,
Lake Tahoe is a mecca for anglers of all ages. Famous for
its crystal clear waters, Tahoe is a body of water that holds plenty of
surprises for fishermen and many who travel here on vacation come
specifically to enjoy the fishing opportunities here.
And, of course, Lake Tahoe is
not the only place in the Tahoe region to do a little fishing. There are
numerous smaller lakes, rivers reservoirs, and more in the area where
anglers can set their boat afloat and nab some great catches that include a
variety of species.
Lake Tahoe
At 22 miles long and 12 miles wide, this beautiful
alpine lake provides lots of room for fishing charters and private vessels
full of fishermen! What you’ll find here, for the most part, is Mackinaw,
rainbow, and brown trout as well as Kokanee salmon. Mackinaw season happens
all year long and are the most common catch, having been introduced to the
lake in the early years of the 20th century. The average size is
2 to 7 pounds though larger ones have certainly been caught in
Lake Tahoe. Fish limit on Lake Tahoe is 2
Mackinaw and 3 other fish per day.
Other
Lake
Fishing
There are a number of smaller lakes that accommodate
avid anglers as well. These include:
§
Caples
Lake – Directly south of
Lake Tahoe, this lake sits at nearly 8,000 feet and contains
6,000 surface acres. Rainbow, brown, brook, and cutthroat trout are
commonplace.
§
Donner
Lake – This lake is known for its
very large Mackinaw trout and big ones are best hooked in the spring and
fall. Kokanee salmon are commonplace as well.
§
Davis
Lake – A good place for fly-fishing, especially for
beginners, Davis
Lake
is ripe with rainbow and brown trout. The months of June and July are best
but anglers can certainly fish here year round.
§
Eagle
Lake
– Head here in September at the start of rainbow trout season and you’ll be
delighted with your catch, which usually includes 4 to 5 pound specimens.
Truckee
River
The best fishing on the
Truckee
River occurs below Lake
Tahoe between Tahoe
City
and Reno. Just below the
Fanny
Bridge, anglers can find sizeable
rainbows in the 5+ pound range. (Beware of rules that govern how close to
the bridge one can fish.) Also, about 12 miles below Lake Tahoe,
there is a large population of cutthroat trout on this river.
The Truckee
River runs along Interstate 80 and
Highway 89, so it’s not very hard to access it. The season usually spans
from the last Saturday in April to the middle of November.
Other Locations
There are also a number of reservoirs that are ideal
for catching Kokanee and a variety of species of trout. Check out Boca
Reservoir, at about 35,000 feet, it’s just north of Boca off I-80;
Frenchman’s Reservoir, accessible via two boat ramps, it’s especially good
for rainbow and kamloop trout but also has a catfish population; and
Stampede Reservoir, 15 miles north of Truckee, where anglers can catch
browns and rainbows while shore fishing and Kokanee salmon while trolling.
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Guide
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