Trout Fishing Tips

Pyramid Lake is a favorite fishing hot spot for many California and Nevada anglers. Located in in Northwestern Nevada (about 35 miles Northeast of Reno), Pyramid Lake is on the Paiute Indian Reservation (which means you need a special tribal permit to fish there, which can be purchased online.).

If you've never been there and are imagining a beautiful lake similar to Lake Tahoe, think again. Pyramid Lake is nothing like Lake Tahoe. Despite being North of Lake Tahoe, Pyramid Lake is at a lower elevation, which means the water is shallower, warmer, and substantially more alkaline than Tahoe.

It's the Lahontan Cutthroat trout that draw anglers to Pyramid Lake. Listed as Nevada's state fish, these cutthroat trout are native to tributaries in the eastern Sierra. Because of size and bag limit restrictions, Pyramid Lake offers trophy trout opportunities for anglers.

Fishing in Pyramid Lake is full of challenges, especially in the warm summer months when the lake becomes highly stratified. As stated in the Trout Fishing Tips eBook, understanding how the environment affects trout behavior is often critical to catching trout.

Tui-chubs are a prime food source for Lahontan Cutthroat in Pyramid Lake. Since these chubs often appear yellowish-green in color, chartruese or green fishing lures tend to be very effective at Pyramid Lake.

Fly fishers also do well at Pyramid Lake. In fact, in 2008 a new fly rod record was set for an 11-lb, 1-oz. cutthroat trout caught on a 12-lb tippet.

For more information about fishing at Pyramid Lake, click here. This article was written by a fish biologist and is one of the best articles ever written.

Labels: Eastern Sierra Nevada, Lahontan Cutthroat Trout, Lahontan trout, Nevada, Pyramid Lake

Pyramid Lake will open for Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Fishing on October 1st, 2007. The trout fishing season will remain open until June 30th.

There are some new fishing regulations this year, including ...

• Barbless hooks are required.

• No fishing is allowed within 500 feet of any docks (this rule is meant to help protect shore anglers while boats are launching from the dock).
  

• From March 15 to May 16 the area from Sutcliffe Marina to the end of the South Nets will be closed to protect spawning fish.

• No alcohol will be allowed on the Marina Beach and Long Beach

Other rules and regulations still apply, including ....

• Bag limit is two trout.

• Cutthroat trout under 16 inches in length or between 19 and 24 inches must be released unharmed.

• You can keep two trout which are 16-19 inches in length or you can keep one trout 16-19 inches plus one trout over 24 inches.

• You need a special tribal fishing permit and a special tribal boating permit.
  

For more information, and trout fishing tips for Pyramid Lake, click here.

Labels: Lahontan Cutthroat Trout, Pyramid Lake

Lahontan Cutthroat Trout get their name from the lake they once resided in. Listed as Nevada's state fish, these cutthroat trout are native to tributaries in the eastern Sierra. But competition from rainbow, brook, and brown trout have replaced the Lahontan cutthroat in most of its native range. Lake trout have prevented Lahontan trout from thriving in Lake Tahoe.

Lahontan trout have a similar history to Eagle Lake trout. Both got their name from the lakes they resided in. Both lakes have a high alkaline concentration. Due to changing conditions which led to reduced populations, both trout were thought to be extinct for a while. The California Department of Fish and Game has taken steps to preserve both Lahontan and Eagle Lake trout.

The primary difference is that Eagle Lake trout are rainbows and Lahontan trout are cutthroats.

The Upper Truckee River was sterilized to remove brook trout which were competing with cutthroat trout for food and other resources. After the removal of brook trout, cutthroat trout were replanted in the river in an effort to restore them to their natural habitat and increase population. Today, the Upper Truckee River is one of 6 Heritage Trout waters offering folks a chance to catch Lahontan trout.

Other waters where you can catch Lahontan trout include:

• Heenan Lake
• East Walker River Wildlife Area
• Martis Lake
• Humboldt River
• Walker River
• Quinn River
• Pyramid Lake (which holds the record for largest Lahontan trout at 41 lbs!)
  
• Walker Lake
• Summit Lake
  
• East Fork Carson River
• McLeod Lake
  
• Crowley Lake
• Slinkard/Little Antelope Wildlife Area
• Pickel Meadow Wildlife Area
• Fremont Weir Wildlife Area

Lahontan Cutthroat Trout have also been introduced into Lake Lenore in Washington state.

Although Lahontan trout appear to be making a comeback, they're still listed as "threatened" under the Federal Endangered Species Act. As such, angling is still limited to 'catch and release' in most of these waters.

For more information, visit the Lahontan National Fish Hatchery web.

Labels: Cutthroat Trout, Lahontan Cutthroat Trout, Lahontan trout

This weekend the Pyramid Lake Store will host its annual Lahontan Cutthroat trout fishing derby. The derby will begin on Friday and run through Sunday.

The cost is $25 and you can register until 12 p.m. on Sunday at the Lake Pyramid Store. You'll receive the official rules when you register.

Final derby weigh-ins will be held Sunday at 5 p.m.

There will be cash prizes for the heaviest fish (first place will get 50% of the entry fees; 2nd place will get 30% and 3rd place will receive 20%).

For more information call George or Carla Molino at the (775) 476-0555.
Pyramid Lake Store is located at 29555 Pyramid Hwy. in Suttcliffe, Nevada.

To learn more about Pyramid Lake, click here.

Labels: Cutthroat Trout, Fishing Derby, Lahontan Cutthroat Trout, Pyramid Lake Derby