Hopefully Some Weather Inbound
While this weekend looks fantastic weather wise, early next week we may see an end to this high-pressure heatwave we’ve been stuck in for about a month. Bad news for the short term, good news for the long term. The past few weeks have been some of the best fishing for March we’ve ever seen, but that was a scary foreshadowing for later this year when the water runs out, so we’ve been snow dancing for this storm in between the fishing. The bad weather is not all bad for the fishing however, for those brave enough to suit up and give it a shot, Pyramid Lake, Tahoe, Indian Creek Reservoir and pretty much any other still water that had an early thaw will give opportunity for those big fish feeding close to shore. The wind and waves stir up the food and pushes it towards the shoreline, so the fish come within casting range. Beyond this week of weather, the forecast shows normal like spring conditions so something to look forward to!
Lake Tahoe Tributaries are closed until Saturday preceding Memorial Day (May 23rd). Please do not fish the Upper Truckee/Taylor Creek/Trout Creek/Ward Creek/Blackwood Creek, etc.
This report is written to give a quick overview of the Tahoe area, for a more detailed report including access, stop by the shop or give us a call at 530-541-8208
East Fork Carson River: The colder nights have slowed run off a little bit, but the river is still flowing at around 800 CFS which is generally a tough flow for wading. That being said, if you have a raft, these flows are excellent for floating from Hangman’s down to Broken Dam for a true hotspring/fishing/white water experience. Fishable along the edges with squirmy worms, pat’s rubber legs, bright and big nymphs but generally not a river we spend much time on until it drops below 400 CFS.
West Fork of the Carson River: Fishable but not a numbers game. This time of year the river has not been planted, so we are looking for any larger wild fish or holdovers from last year. Cover ground, go for a hike, and keep it moving. The river looks beautiful but unfortunately there aren’t many fish around right now.
East and West Carson River Fishing Regulations:
Whole river to Nevada state borders catch and release, artificial, barbless.
Truckee River: The pre-spawn bite for the rainbows and the hungry browns has been incredible, but soon those rainbows will start pairing up to spawn so avoid the shallows and if you see fish spawning, please avoid fishing to them. The deep runs are still fair game for pre or post spawn rainbows, and browns looking for some calories after the winter. Hard to beat the junk rigs this time of year, but fish will also eat baetis nymphs, march browns nymphs, and maybe even skwala dries. If you find yourself out there on a cloudy day, keep an eye on the soft water next to the bank for rising fish. The temperatures in Nevada have been close to hitting 55 degrees which means it’s go time for Spring Fishing. The Cali side is colder so a few weeks out from all the bugs truly popping. This weather will damper things a bit, but as soon as it warms back up it will be game on.
Truckee River Fishing Regulations:
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: Catch & Release Barbless Artificial only. Zero Bag limit.
Little Truckee River: The consistent fishery of the area remains consistently busy. Fishing well but can be hard to find a spot near the dam, so don’t be afraid to explore the meadows, campgrounds, and inlet area. The rainbows will start spawning soon in some of the main runs so avoid wading in the tail outs and fishing to spawning fish. Baetis is still the primary hatch.
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: Nevada side fishing well especially for those that cover ground, cross back and forth, stay in the river, and fish the lest pressured runs. As anything in our area, the farther you get from the car the better the fishing will get. Streamers, and nymphs are king but blind casting skwalas with or without a dropper can be a fun way to fish this desert tailwater this time of year. A few weeks out from the Cali side opening up which is something to look forward to, some of the only fish that got a break from pressure this winter!
East Walker River Fishing Regulations:
Nevada: Elbow to California Boarder, catch and release, artificial, single hook, barbless.
California: Closed
Pyramid Lake: Day to day with some reports of excellent fishing and other reports where they couldn’t buy a fish. Normally that means only certain beaches are fishing well (close to the hatchery) and the more remote beaches are fishless. This week should get better with wind, clouds, and maybe some precip stirring up the food and getting the fish to feed. Stripping the North/South Nets and Pelican/Windless beaches, bobber fishing Marianets and Pelican Rocks are normally the places to be in the spring.
Heenan Lake: Heenan Lake is closed for the season.
Hot Lakes:
Indian Creek Reservoir: Game on! Float it or bank it!
Pyramid Lake: Worlds largest cutthroat!
Sawmill Lake - Closed for the season.
Caple’s Lake- Throwing a streamer or balanced leech from the dam may be worth it!
Tahoe - Not a numbers game but when we fish Tahoe we are looking for that fish of a lifetime. We fish it quite a bit, so if you want to the goods, stop by the shop and we’ll share the coordinates.
