Fishing Lake Tahoe

There are three great things that make any fishing trip a memorable story: the right gear, the right beverages and the right spot. Remember, 90% of the fish are only in 10% of the water… so if you’re heading to Lake Tahoe to try to catch some lookers this year, read on about the best spots to fish in the area.

Image courtesy of Tahoe Weekly.

The Middle of the Lake 

No gear?  No problem.  There are tons of outfitters that provide the full experience and handle the important details of licenses and rods for you. Guided tours are a great way to learn the lakes hotspots by the locals themselves. Thee lake holds some incredible trophy fish such as Macks, which can be up to 20 pounds!  You may also bump into a whopper Brown or Rainbow trout along the way, which will be a real challenge to nab.  Guided tours can run all year round since Macks prefer their water pretty chilly.  If you’re near South Lake Tahoe, check out Mile High Fishing for a trip.

Upper Truckee River | South Lake Tahoe 

High water is the only time to hit this hot spot, from June 1st through September 30th.  If fly fishing is your game, this is a great spot to practice your wade water skills.  The Upper Truckee River is not a stocked section, and barbless catch and release is sanctioned.  Helpful hint: during the closed season from September 31st through June 30th, fishing is prohibited within 300 feet of any Lake Tahoe Tributary.  This applies to all rivers and creeks inside the Lake Tahoe Basin.  Focus on the East and West Carson on the Trout opener if you’re headed out in April.

Taylor Creek | South Lake Tahoe 

A major tributary to Lake Tahoe is Taylor Creek.  These waters are only open from July 1st through September 30th.  During this scheduled open fish time the current flow is pretty low, making it hard to keep the fish interested in being there and most likely you too.  Why is this a top on the list then?  If you’re a fisherman in the local area, the Kokanee Salmon Festival in the fall season is a great experience. This may be the end of the fishing season, but this is the beginning of the sponging period of these amazing salmon.  This beautiful sight is this little towns own Alaska adventure and a must see if you’re in the area.  The Kokanee are freshwater inland Sockeye, and like their big relatives, they turn brilliant vermillion and green during the return to spawn.  This is a once in a life time experience, for many to venture through, so be sure to check it out.  

If you’re not heading that far west this year, the historic Colorado River has some of the best fly fishing in the area. Check out Fly Fishing Colorado‘s guided tours and plan your river adventure this year!