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

Despite the warmer weather, trout fishing remains excellent in many of the lakes bordering California and Nevada.

One man caught a 15-pound, 13-ounce cutthroat, while trolling 30 feet deep at Pelican Point in Pyramid Lake. He was using a silver spoon with green and orange flash tape.

Others are reported to have released several 6-7 pounders this last week. It seems as if the fishing always gets good just before the season closes (June 30).

Anglers at Convict Lake are also doing well. The biggest rainbows were: 5.8 pounds on a Thomas Buoyant lure at the jetty, 5.3 pounds on a gold Kastmaster lure at the inlet, a 4.8 pounder on a nightcrawler on the south shore and 3.8 pounds on Chartreuse Power Bait at the jetty.

At Upper Twin Lake, a 3-pound, 14-ounce rainbow was caught while trolling with an orange Rapala lure. Several 1-pounders have also been caught on rainbow Power Bait or nightcrawlers.

Labels: California, Convict Lake, Pyramid Lake, Upper Twin Lake

The Pyramid Lake Indian Tribe is proposing wide ranging fishing regulation changes and a lot of anglers are threatening never to fish the lake again. While Pyramid Lake has been a favorite for many California and Nevada anglers, it's not the only lake to fish in.

Some of the proposed changes include:

• Making single barbless hooks mandatory
• Prohibiting (and possessing) the use of downriggers year-round (not just when the lake is closed to trout fishing)
  
• Reduce bag limit
• Close the lake between March 16 and May 15th every year
• Increase annual fishing fees from $50 to $99
  
• Increase annual boating fees likewise

According to the Indian Tribe, these proposed changes will improve the fishing at Pyramid Lake. But to anglers, many of these changes will only hinder fishing.

If you'd a better understanding of the reasoning behind the changes, you can read the full story of the Pyramid Lake Indian Tribe's proposed changes.

If you'd like to voice your comments to the proposed changes call (775) 574-1000, or mail them to PLIT, P.O. Box 256, Nixon, NV 89424.

Labels: California, Fishing Reg Changes at Pyramid Lake, Nevada, Pyramid Lake