Run-Off, But To The River
While run-off is here and we’re seeing spikes on several freestone sections and tailwaters that are making room in the reservoirs it’s still go time out there on several rivers. It’s time to get out there and fish. If you don’t mind the weather, get out there this week before Saturday’s storm peaks, and after the storm while the cool temps remain and halt run-off for a bit. It’s Spring so rainbows are starting to get in the spawn mode. Watch for redds, don’t fish them, or else.
All Lake Tahoe Tributaries Closed until Saturday preceding Memorial Day.
TROUT REGULATIONS ON RIVERS ARE STILL CATCH AND RELEASE, BARBLESS, ARTIFICIAL UNTIL APRIL 26TH. .
East Fork Carson River: The EC is in full run-off mode and daily flows are over 900 CFS. This river did get a good stocking last week by Alpine County so there are fish to be taken. Target the slow water at the edges if you do venture out here and be careful wading out too far at these flows. Pat’s Rubber Legs and Perdigon Jigs have been on the menu with the special being a San Juan or Squirmy Red Worm.
East Carson River Fishing Regulations:(starting April 26, 2025)
Above Hangman’s Bridge to Carson Falls: Artificial lures only. 2 Trout - Minimum size limit: 14 inches total length.
Below Hangman’s Bridge: Artificial lures only. 2 Trout - Minimum size limit: 14 inches total length.
West Fork Carson River: The WC also got a load of fish last week and they are holding in the meadow and pocket water south of Picketts Junction. We’re going to see a push of baities as the trout opener is just around the corner and they will be prolific here. Take advantage of the next few days as this river is fishing great.
Truckee River: The flows have bumped up but that doesn’t mean the fish have gone anywhere. It hasn’t been lights out but some sections have been fishing better than others. Sections upstream from Flycasters through Glenshire have been productive. Work edges and slow water with perdigons, small baetis, and bwo patterns. Nymphs have been the name of the game but if you start to see bugs coming off, be ready with some small single dries to throw at noses.
Truckee River Fishing Regulations:(starting April 26, 2025)
Below Lake Tahoe Dam:(All Year) Closed for 1000’ below Lake Tahoe Dam.
Below 1000’ of the Tahoe Dam to Trout Creek:Catch & Release Barbless Artificial - NO BAIT. Zero Bag limit.
Trout Creek to Mouth of Prosser Creek: Catch & Release Barbless Artificial Flies only. Zero Bag limit.
Prosser Creek to NV Stateline: Artificual Lures and Flies. Two Trout.
Little Truckee River: Ugh, it’s so crowded on the daily. But we’ve been lucky enough to find some big active rainbows on small 16 and 18 nymphs. If you can chance the coming weather, do it. This river fishes great and most of the regulars are pretty fickle when it comes to weather - you might actually get in the heart of some good runs and buckets which is critical on this river.
Little Truckee River Fishing Regulations:(All Year)
Stampede Reservoir downstream to Boca Reservoir: Catch & Release Barbless Artificial - NO BAIT. Zero Bag limit.
East Walker River: Still fishing excellent in Nevada but per usual with California still closed, you’ll see a lot of cars in the ranch parking lot. Flows are still great and look for some of the pressure to spread out into California after Saturday. Steamer eats have been strong the last couple weeks. With that recent cold snap and windy few days, the bite shut down but look for it to rebound with more mild weather after this weekend. We’re really looking forward to the California side opening up and will be fishing this river regularly so give us a call with any questions.
East Walker River Fishing Regulations:(starting Nov. 16th)
Below Bridgeport Reservoir to Nevada Stateline: Fully Closed in California until April 26th. Open in Nevada. Catch and release, artificial, single hook only from Stateline to the Elbow. Below the Elbow, general regulations.
Stillwater Options: At Pyramid there are still a few fish around and close in to shore from recent reports. The only thing that’s consistent is the morning bite. Get up early, try to get a good spot, and take full advantage of the first few hours of daylight. Stripping boobies and unweighted buggers/wooly worms is a fun way to fish the spring bite, but shallow chironomid rigs will work as well. Spider to the South nets are generally the beaches you want to be at in the spring.
Other lakes have begun fishing well, and the higher elevation lakes will begin thawing soon. Shore fishing from Tahoe, Caples, Silver Lake can potentially produce the fish of a lifetime this time of year.
Hot Lakes:
Bridgeport Reservoir: Opening up April 26. Fish for big browns from a float tube near the damn.
Sawmill Lake - Closed until mid-May. Reach out about season and mini passes for the 2025 season.
Pyramid Lake - Shore bite picking up especially on stormy days, look for 10-15 MPH wind and cloudy conditions. Lots of big fish caught this year, get out there!
Lower Blue Lake - Roads closed
Caple’s Lake- Will begin to thaw soon.
Tahoe - Not a numbers game but when we fish Tahoe we are looking for that fish of a lifetime
Heenan Lake - Closed until September.
