By Bruce Ajari ·
With four years of drought and the Truckee River experiencing extremely low levels, the fish are suffering.
We may well lose a large portion of the fishery this year. In Reno, recent posts of fish schooled up into small areas of water that is still supporting them have been posted on Facebook recently. Seeing those images makes one sad indeed. We know that most of these fish will not survive, barring some miracle event that brings adequate flows back to the river.
The Truckee River is in peril. We know it, the fish know it and there is little that can be done. Some are calling for relocation of the fish to Lake Tahoe. Unfortunately, there are issues with that and neither the Nevada Department of Wildlife and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife are considering that option.
There are possible issues with moving fish that have been exposed to invasive species such as the New Zealand Mud Snail, which is known to be in the Truckee River.
Nevada Department of Wildlife’s Chris Healy recently stated in an interview with the Reno-Gazette Journal that no fish would be moved to Tahoe, the only real body of water that has an adequate supply. The reason was that wild fish cannot be moved because of the future Lahontan Cutthroat Reintroduction Plan.
Lahontan Cutthroat Trout are in the process of being restored to their natural historical range by the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife. The drought could be an ally to them in reintroduction to the Truckee River by reducing the population of non-native rainbow and brown trout.
Non-native species tend to out compete the Lahontan Cutthroat. Some feel that with smaller numbers of non-natives left, the Lahontan may do better.
A recent walk along my home stretch of the Truckee River was sad. The water was so low and clear, running at around 8 cfs. It is not known if the Truckee River through Truckee will go dry this year. We are all hopeful that a minimal flow can be maintained.
Few fish were observed on my walk, but there were some. If we can maintain this flow, some fish will survive and the river will recover in time. A good snowpack this winter will be critical to the river recovery.
FISHING REPORT
(See Sightseeing for water levels)
Boca | Inflow is at 44 cfs and the outflow is 50 cfs. Powerbait, nightcrawlers and lures are all working. Fly-fishers have been catching some fish near the inlet with nymphs, streamers and dries.
Donner | Fishing has been fair to good. Kokanee fishing has been good. Nightcrawlers and Powerbait seem to be the main bait for shore anglers. Mackinaw fishing has been good. Fly-fishermen are catching some fish with streamers.
Lake Tahoe | Tributaries open only from July 1 to Sept. 30. Fishing has been fair to good for mackinaw. A guide is highly recommended if you are fishing for mackinaw for the first time. Toplining and shore fishing is fair. Most shore fishermen use inflated nightcrawlers.
Little Truckee River | The flow is at 44 cfs and is running low. Give the fish a rest. Consider fishing in alternative waters.
Martis Lake | Zero kill. Catch and Release only with barbless artificial lures or flies. Fishing is the best early in the season and again the fall. With the warming water, the fishing here is slow. Try fishing it again in the fall.
Prosser | Fishing has been fair to good. Anglers using bait, lures and flies have caught fish. Fly-fishermen have done well near the inlet areas. Bass fishing has been fair.
Stampede | Fishing has been fair to good from shore. The ramp is not usable for larger boats. Nightcrawlers, Powerbait and lures have all produced from shore. Fly-fishermen have been doing well near the inlets with nymphs and streamers. The Kokanee fishing has been fair to good for those getting out. Smallmouth bass fishing has been fair.
Truckee River | At 0.1 cfs from Tahoe City to 81 cfs at Boca Bridge. The flows through Truckee are at 19 cfs. The flow from Boca downstream to the state line is running at 81 to 102 cfs. Flows are too low now. Please target alternative water and other species such as bass or carp.
Davis and Frenchman | Boat, shore and fly anglers are catching fish. The damsel migration is slowing. Hexagenia Mayflies are still showing. However, water temperatures are getting high for trout.
