The season at world-class fishery Pyramid Lake, northeast of Sparks, Nev., looks like it is going to be much longer this year. As a result of the huge snowpack in the Sierra and cooler spring temperatures, runoff into the lake has kept water temperatures in the great range for the native Lahontan Cutthroat Trout.
Typically, when we get into about the second week in May in a normal year, fish will move to deeper water and out of range for shore anglers. It is pretty rare to take a trip out there in the third week in May, as we recently did, and find water temperatures at around 56 degrees F. The optimum temperature for most trout is 52 to 64 degrees F. Above 64 degrees F there is less oxygen available to the fish, so they tend to find cooler water in the depths of the lake.
The recent trip was a bit different for us. We drove past the spring hot spots of the South and North Nets where there was not one single angler. We stopped briefly at Crosby’s, an establishment with a restaurant and bar, fishing gear and a general store — not a single person there either.
Anglers may be able to have success for considerably longer at this great fishery where fish in excess of 20 pounds can be caught on any cast.
We continued a short drive north and continued to see no one on the beaches fishing until we reached our destination of Pelican Point. This spot has an improved launch ramp for boats and some of the best fishing last season. Here we found about a dozen anglers in a line, fishing from shore on ladders. Ladders are used at Pyramid Lake mostly to prevent fatigue from casting all day.
As we were getting our gear ready, we watched the anglers in the lake. It appeared that no one was catching. Last year, the fishing in the mornings was typically slow. This seemed to be the pattern this day, as well.
About 2 p.m. we began to finally hook a few fish and we would pick one up here and there for the rest of the day. We even had some luck casting behind us toward the bank where white pelicans were cruising looking for an easy meal. We had fish follow our flies, but none would bite.
Some experts have said fishing could continue to the end of the season on June 30. Most regular Pyramid anglers know that fishing usually slows during this time. This season it looks like anglers may be able to have success for considerably longer at this great fishery where fish in excess of 20 pounds can be caught on any cast.
FISHING REPORT
Boca Reservoir | The road over the dam is closed until further notice. Inflow is at 748 cfs. and the outflow is 880 cfs. Powerbait, nightcrawlers and lures are all working. Fly-fishers have been catching some fish near the inlet with nymphs, streamers and dries.
Donner Lake | Fishing has been fair to good. Kokanee fishing has been fair. Nightcrawlers and Powerbait seem to be the main bait. Mackinaw fishing has been good. Fly-fishers are catching some fish with streamers.
Lake Tahoe | (All tributaries are closed to all fishing until July 1.) 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 fishing from shore use inflated nightcrawlers.
Little Truckee River | The flow is at 748 cfs. The flows have come down. While it can be tough fishing, anglers can catch fish at this level. Fish the softer water along the edges and around obstructions. Hatches similar to the main Truckee.
Martis Lake | Zero kill. Catch and release only with barbless artificial lures or flies. Fishing is best early in the season and again the fall. Smallmouth bass are part of the fishery here.
Prosser Reservoir | Fishing has been fair. Anglers using bait, lures and flies have all caught fish. Fly-fishers have done well near the inlet areas. Bass fishing has been fair.
Stampede Reservior | The road is closed over the dam for construction and will remain so this season and next. Access to the boat ramp will be through Hobart Mills. Fishing has been fair from shore. Nightcrawlers, Powerbait and lures have all produced from shore. Fly-fishers have been doing well near the inlets with nymphs and streamers. The Kokanee fishing has been fair. Smallmouth bass fishing has been fair.
Truckee River | The flows through Truckee are at 2,335 cfs; we have not seen flows like this in sometime. Fishing has been good for those working hard. Most anglers are using San Juan worms, egg patterns and large stonefly imitations. Baetis, March Brown, Caddis imitations and streamers are also good this time of year. This water is special regulation, artificial only with barbless hooks. Catch-and-release fishing is encouraged, but an angler may keep two fish with a minimum size of 14 inches during the regular trout season.
Davis and Frenchman lakes | both are both full and spilling. Boat, shore and fly anglers are catching fish. Reports from Davis are only fair. Blood midge, Callibaetis and small midges are the main insects to imitate subsurface. Frenchman fishing has been fair.
