Spooner Lake is a small impoundment constructed in 1927 to store irrigation water. In 1973, the Department of Wildlife developed the lake into a trout fishery, but regulations changed from general (allowing harvest) to a zero-harvest in 1982 and then back to allowing harvest in 2006. Spooner Lake is located in Douglas County and situated within Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park at an elevation of 6,980 feet. Spooner Lake drains into North Canyon Creek that empties into Lake Tahoe.
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- Region
- Western
- County
- Douglas
- Type of water
- Lake or Reservoir
Fishing Report
Fishing has been good at Spooner for bait and fly anglers. Shore access is still good but will likely disappear as the summer shoreline vegetation takes over. Boats or float tubes will become necessary by mid July. Some fish have been on the surface early in the day until the wind picks up. Salmon eggs and baby crawlers under a bobber should entice the occasional trout, but may also find a few chub. Fly and spin fisherman concentrating their efforts in deeper water are catching some quality tiger trout around weed beds and along the eastern shore. Fast sinking fly lines and heavy spinners will help get your fly or lure down past the chub into the trout zone.
Spooner Lake Angler Guide Information
07-01-2024Stocking Updates
| Stocked | Species | Inches | Date Stocked | Year to Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | Rainbow Trout | 15.0 | 06-19-2024 | 3214 |
| 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 9.2 | 06-04-2024 | 3014 |
| 2004 | Tiger Trout | 10.3 | 06-04-2024 | 6661 |
| 1238 | Cuttbow Trout | 9.1 | 10-05-2023 | 1238 |
| 1589 | Tiger Trout | 11.7 | 10-05-2023 | 4657 |
| 3068 | Tiger Trout | 10.2 | 07-25-2023 | 3068 |
| 995 | Rainbow Trout | 9.4 | 06-08-2023 | 995 |
Pertinent Information
The reservoir covers about 78 surface acres and has a depth of nearly 20 feet at maximum capacity. Currently, sport fish include rainbow trout and bowcutt trout (rainbow x cutthroat trout hybrid). Lahontan tui chub, however, dominate the lake and compete for resources with trout. Anglers generally catch trout that range between 10 and 14 inches, but some get as big as 16 inches. Use small spinner or spoons as well as flies and wade the shoreline or fish from float-tubes. Night crawlers and Power bait work equally as well. Nevada Division of State Parks charges a fee to enter Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park at Spooner Lake and Backcountry. Picnic tables, barbecues, restrooms, and water are available. Vehicle parking is about 300 yards from the lake and there is a groomed trail with a moderately sloping downhill leading to the lake’s edge. Most angling occurs during the ice-free period from May or June through October. Other activities include mountain biking, hiking, and riding horseback on the many backcountry trails that begin at Spooner Lake.