Lake Tahoe
California Trout, Salmon, Bass
57 Share
What's Biting - Updated today
Kokanee Salmon
Good
Mackinaw
Good

Lake Tahoe Fishing Overview

Water Description

Tahoe is most famous for its Mackinaw (lake trout) fishery. It's not uncommon to catch Macks over 18 pounds, and the lake holds both the California and Nevada state records of 37 pounds, 6 ounces. Kokanee salmon also garners plenty of attention from anglers during certain times of the year. Lake Tahoe replenishes its kokanee population yearly, both through natural reproduction (in nearby tributaries) and annual stockings. Like lake trout, Tahoe proudly claims the state records for Kokanee in California and Nevada at 5 pounds, 2 ounces. Rainbow...

Tahoe is most famous for its Mackinaw (lake trout) fishery. It's not uncommon to catch Macks over 18 pounds, and the lake holds both the California and Nevada state records of 37 pounds, 6 ounces.

Kokanee salmon also garners plenty of attention from anglers during certain times of the year. Lake Tahoe replenishes its kokanee population yearly, both through natural reproduction (in nearby tributaries) and annual stockings. Like lake trout, Tahoe proudly claims the state records for Kokanee in California and Nevada at 5 pounds, 2 ounces.

Rainbow trout, though less numerous, also offer anglers a cold-weather option. Most Tahoe rainbows hover around 10-12 inches, although some can reach upwards of 5-10 pounds. Brown trout, brook trout, Lahontan cutthroat trout, and warmer water species such as largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill round out this mountain fishery.

Tahoe’s shoreline holds plenty of campgrounds and amenities. Because the lake lies in California and Nevada, boat anglers can use a license from either state. Shore anglers need a license from the specific state they’re fishing from. Areas within 300 feet of Tahoe’s tributaries are closed to fishing from October 1st through June 30th for spawning.

Species:
Mackinaw, Kokanee Salmon, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Mountain Whitefish
Stocked Date:
Trout stocked 4 months ago - View Schedule
USGS Conditions:
10337000
Forage / Baitfish:
Lahontan Redside, Mosquitofish, Mountain Sucker, Speckled Dace, Tui Chub
Boating / Access:
Most boating allowed. Rentals available. Inspections required.
Regulations:
Geography:
Avg Depth: 1,000 ft
Max Depth: 1,645 ft
Surface Area: 122,240 acres
Surface Elevation: 6,225 ft
Good Kokanee Salmon bite
Mackinaw, Salmon
62°F Very Clear

Lake Tahoe is in its late summer pattern, with Mackinaw pushed deep and holding around 100–120 feet while kokanee school between 60–80 feet. Best action is first light through about 10 AM before boat traffic and sun push fish down. Troll flashers with a wedding ring or hoochie tipped with white corn for kokanee, and expect bonus macks holding...

Lake Tahoe is in its late summer pattern, with Mackinaw pushed deep and holding around 100–120 feet while kokanee school between 60–80 feet. Best action is first light through about 10 AM before boat traffic and sun push fish down. Troll flashers with a wedding ring or hoochie tipped with white corn for kokanee, and expect bonus macks holding underneath the salmon schools. Anglers targeting lake trout specifically are doing better bouncing live bait on the bottom, with most fish 3–6 pounds and a decent number in the 9–15 pound range. Kokanee will color up and stage toward Taylor Creek over the next few weeks, so fish them now... everything within 300 feet of Tahoe's tributaries closes October 1.

Share
Hot Mackinaw bite
Trout, Mackinaw
55°F Very Clear

Mackinaw season is in full swing at Tahoe, and the big fish are showing up. Guides and locals have been consistently putting giant macks in the net over the past month, targeting 120–150 feet of water with 1–2 oz. minnow-style jigs or trolling live minnows / flashers. On the east side, the rainbow and brown trout bite has been very good as well...

Mackinaw season is in full swing at Tahoe, and the big fish are showing up. Guides and locals have been consistently putting giant macks in the net over the past month, targeting 120–150 feet of water with 1–2 oz. minnow-style jigs or trolling live minnows / flashers.

On the east side, the rainbow and brown trout bite has been very good as well... in the top 30 feet. Boat anglers and shore casters alike are working Rapalas along rocky structure and finding quality fish. NDOW also stocked cutthroat last week. Look for the Kokanee bite to pick up in another few weeks.

4 anglers found this report useful
Share
TroutNDOW
Zephyr Cove
Rainbow TroutNDOW
Sand Harbor
Cutthroat TroutNDOW

Nearby Reports

Water temps have jumped quickly into the upper 60s at Stampede. Kokanee are still biting extremely well, with limits coming on pink hoochies behind a dodger tipped with corn...

My kid caught a small rainbow on the first cast with powerbait. Short leader.

Lake Tahoe Weather

Loading Weather...
57 Share

Nearby Lakes & Rivers

17 Followers
Trout stocking: 3 months ago
Trout
44 Followers
Trout stocking: 1 month ago
Trout
46 Followers
Last report: 7 months ago
Trout stocking: 1 month ago
Flyfisherman background image

Join FishCaddy Free!

Get local fishing updates & receive our weekly NorCal or SoCal digest.

Sign Up