With a historic snowpack in the mountains, the lakes and streams throughout the Tahoe Sierra are experiencing high levels for the first time in many years. Locals lakes and reservoirs will be at or near capacity for the first time since the drought began. Streams will be running high well into July and perhaps beyond given early forecasts.
The Truckee River is running at levels that can only be described as dangerous. As of writing this article, it is running more than 3,400 cubic feet per second (cfs) as it parallels the Legacy Trail near the Glenshire area. At this level, fishing can be tough for most fishermen. Trying to wade when the level is this high is certainly not advised or necessary for that matter.
When water levels are this high, the main flows are not hospitable to fish that will tend to seek softer or slower water. The edges of the river and any water where the current is slowed by obstructions, such as logs or boulders, are great locations.
Despite the larger than normal flows, fishing has been good for local guides and clients. Fish are being caught on a variety of flies fished along the bottom in the slower water areas. The numbers and size of the fish have been impressive considering the conditions.
With the streams running higher, water temperatures will be colder than normal because of an extended runoff period due to the large amount of snowpack melting. What this means is that normal hatch cycles for insects in the river will be set back at least two weeks.
With waters running higher and colder, this will not be a typical year by any stretch of the imagination. Any fish feeding on the surface will be in softer water that may or may not be accessible to the angler. Some of the best water will be along willows or alders that may not be accessible to the wading angler this season.
The key to being successful will be to use your best observational skills. Move quickly and look for rising fish if you like to catch fish on the surface. Look in places you may typically pass up in a normal year. You may be pleasantly surprised.
FISHING REPORT
Boca Reservoir | The road over the dam is closed until further notice. Inflow is at 1,180 cfs and the outflow is 1,220 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 seems 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 and then only open until 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 1,220 cfs. The flows are extremely high. While it is tough fishing, anglers can catch fish at this level. Try softer water along the edges and around obstructions. Hatches are like 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 in fall. There are still a few nice fish in this lake that has severely declined. Smallmouth bass is 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 Reservoir | The road is closed over the dam for construction this season and next. Access to the boat ramp will be through the Hobart Mills side. 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 | 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 is water is special regulation, artificial only with barbless hook. Catch-and-release fishing is encouraged in this section, 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 full and spilling. Boat, shore and fly-anglers are catching fish. Reports from Davis are only fair. Blood midge and Callibaetis are the main insects to imitate subsurface. Frenchman fishing has been fair. Try the same hatches as in Davis.
