 The incredibly clear alpine lakes and rivers that surround South Lake Tahoe lure beginning and seasoned anglers from around the world. The best fishing spots around Tahoe are usually kept as secret as a gold miner's claim. But the following locations have been shared with us. For more detail, consult the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit map, available from most Forest Service offices for $3.00 plus tax or while you are out and about ask the locals for places that are sure to have fish jumpin' if your are lucky they may give you some secret tips.
- Upper Truckee River - The Upper Truckee is fed from the waters of Meiss Country south of Highway 89. Fishing is good in the deep pools during the early part of fishing season.
- Echo Lakes - Just a short drive off of Highway 50, you can try both boat and shore fishing here. Shore fishing is usually good from the dam. Please respect the rights of private property and homeowners around the lake.
- Sawmill Pond - A stocked pond for children 15 years of age and under. Adults are allowed to help children fish but are not allowed to fish themselves. The pond is located 1 mile south of South Lake Tahoe along Lake Tahoe Boulevard.
- Fallen Leaf Lake - The best fishing is from a boat, but occasionally fish can be taken from the shore with a good cast. The lake is a short walk from Fallen Leaf Lake Road or Fallen Leaf Campground. Fishing within 250 feet of the dam is illegal.
- Lake Tahoe - The best fishing is in deep water from a boat. For shore fishing, try places where the shoreline drops off quickly such as Rubicon Point on the west shore or Cave Rock on the east shore. A day use fee is charged at both of these areas. Fishing is closed in the lake within 300 feet of its tributaries and upstream to the first lake from October 1 through June 30. The rest of the year the entire lake is open.
- Truckee River - Lake Tahoe's only outlet, the Truckee starts it's journey from Lake Tahoe's dam at Tahoe City and continues along Highway 89 to the town of Truckee. Fishing is closed year around from the dam to 1,000 feet downstream. Certain other sections of the Truckee are closed year around. Check the fishing regulations for specific information.
- Carson River, West Fork - Flowing through Hope, Faith and Charity Valleys, this portion of the river receives considerable use. It is located south of Lake Tahoe along Highway 88 and also flows along Blue Lakes Road.
- Carson River, East Fork - Closed to all fishing above Carson Falls. From Hangman's Bridge (south of Markleeville) downstream to the Nevada state line, there is a minimum size limit of 14 inches and you must use artificial lures with single barbless hooks.
- Blue Lakes - A series of lakes located south of the Tahoe Basin, 12 miles off of Highway 88. At over 8,000 feet they are some of the highest lakes accessible by automobile. Camping is available nearby. Fishing is reported to be good off of the dams where the two lakes connect.
- Rivers - All of the rivers listed above, with the exception of the special regulations noted, are open from the last Saturday in April to November 15.
- Other Lakes - Most of the backcountry lakes are open and support Rainbow, Brown, and Golden Trout. Shore fishing is your only choice unless you want to pack in a rubber raft. Fish in these high country lakes are taken only by the most skillful anglers!
 Fishing Techniques - The skillful angler minimizes the disadvantages to Tahoe's wonderfully clear water in the following ways:
- Avoid fishing during times of mirror like calm, unless fishing deep for Mackinaw. Even a slight surface riffle will break up shadows cast on the bottom and will partially obliterate the angler from view.
- Use a light monofilament line.
- Use very long line for trolling or make very long casts if fishing from shore.
Tips for catching the BIG ONE!
Rainbow Trout -Use small lures when toplining and inshore fishing. The best months for fishing are in September through November and in May. Rainbows are frequently planted throughout the summer.
Brown Trout - Use night crawlers or lures. Early summer and just before dusk is the best time to fish. Try the west end of Lake Tahoe, shallow areas along piers, and rocky bottoms.
Brook Trout - Use small lures or worms. Dry flies also work well. The best fishing is in early summer. These fish are most commonly found in higher elevation lakes and streams.
Cutthroat Trout - Try a topline troll with night crawlers or shore fish with salmon eggs or worms. Spring and summer are the best seasons to fish. Cutthroat do not compete well against other species. Few are caught.
Mackinaw Trout - Deepline troll at least 80 feet with large flashers. Drift fishing with live minnows or night crawlers also works. Jigging with flashy lures can be effective. Mackinaw are caught year around.
Kokanee Salmon - Try topline trolling with a Wes Lane Rig or clusters of worms on size 4, 6, or 8 hooks. Early spring and late summer provides the best fishing. Most fish are found in the southwest corner of Lake Tahoe with a few taken off of the Cave Rock area. It is highly unlikely you will catch them from shore.
Golden Trout - Use a small colorful lure or worms on light trippets. Spring and early summer are the best times to fish. These trout are scarce and are found only in a few remote, high elevation lakes.
To prevent over fishing and to give the fish a chance to reproduce naturally, rules and regulations have been made. Several lakes and streams are closed to fishing year around. Some lakes and streams are catch and release only. Before fishing, pick up a current copy of the State Fish and Game regulations from our office. Fishing licenses can be obtained from local sporting goods stores. Failure to obtain a fishing license or to follow rules and regulations can result in stiff fines. As a quick reminder:
- Licenses - Any person, 16 years of age or older, must have a valid California or Nevada sport fishing license to fish in Lake Tahoe. Surrounding lakes and streams require a license for the state in which the person is fishing.
- Seasons - Seasons vary. Check a copy of the current fishing regulations for information.
- Hours - Fishing in Lake Tahoe is legal one hour before sunrise to two hours after sunset. In all other bodies of water in the Tahoe area (Sierra District) fishing is legal one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
- Limits - The daily limit for Lake Tahoe is 5 trout, but no more than 2 mackinaw. Most other lakes and streams in the Tahoe Basin have a limit of 5 trout. Check a current copy of the Fish and Game regulations for specific information.
- Live bait - No fish may be used for bait or possessed for use as bait in Lake Tahoe, Fallen Leaf Lake, or Donner Lake unless taken from that lake. Live bait in these lakes are limited to the following: Lahontan redside shiner, Tui chub, Tahoe sucker, Lahontan mountain sucker, Piute sculpin and Lahontan speckled dace. Chumming is illegal.
Direct specific fishing regulation questions to:
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California Department of Fish and Game
(916) 355-7040 |
Nevada Division of Wildlife
(702) 688-1500 |
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