Truckee River

The Truckee River was originally home to Lahontan cutthroat trout and cui-ui sucker. During normal years, adult trout ascended from Pyramid Lake and descended from Lake Tahoe to the Truckee River and its tributaries to spawn. Thousands of young fish returned as natural recruitment to these large lakes. It was probable that some young and adult cutthroat trout also occurred in the river throughout the year. With the influx of white settlers in the mid- to late-1800’s, water was diverted for agriculture and municipal use, stream habitats were degraded, the river was over-fished, and other fish species were introduced. Extinction of the Pyramid Lake cutthroat trout had occurred by the 1930’s. While cutthroat trout numbers were dwindling, many different sport fish species were introduced and today, rainbow and brown trout have become the most successful.

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Region
Western
County
Washoe
Type of water
River
Fishing Report

Flows have been hovering around 400cfs and overall the river is fishing very well. Spin fisherman using small rapalas and spoons are finding fish in the deeper runs and pools. Bait fisherman concentrating around the parks are catching a few of the LCT. Fly fisherman have been doing well on the surface in the mornings with light mayflies, hoppers during the heat of the day, and caddis in the evenings. Tightline nymphing methods using large stoneflies and crayfish can be effective for very large trout this time of the year. It’s time to get out there!

 

Truckee River Angler Guide Information 

07-28-2023

Stocking Updates

Stocked Species Inches Date Stocked Year to Date
5198Cutthroat Trout804-05-20235198
5502Cutthroat Trout804-11-202310700
5636Cutthroat Trout805-11-202316336
850Cutthroat Trout11.509-07-202317186
3990Cutthroat Trout10.109-07-202321176
728Cutthroat Trout10.509-13-202321904
3181Cutthroat Trout10.809-13-202325085

Pertinent Information

The Truckee River originates at the outlet of Lake Tahoe and flows approximately 110 miles to Pyramid Lake. NDOW manages approximately 40 miles of fisheries between the California State line and Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation. This river is one of the most heavily fished waters in the state, supporting between 60,000 and 100,000 angler days per year. Anglers can fish for rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, mountain whitefish, and largemouth bass (in lower sections). High runoff from March to June makes fishing difficult, but once flows return to normal in summer, the river becomes easier to fish. Some of the best fishing occurs in late spring and early summer and again in fall. Nightcrawlers and Power Bait fished in large pools work great, and fly-fishing and using small spinners are very popular.