Trout Fishing

Builards Bar reservoir, a large, low elevation lake, has good warm water fishing for bass and bluegill, while offering some of the best Kokanee fishing on the Forest.

Native nongame, fish, such as, the tui chub, speckled dace, Lahontan redside, Paiute sculpin, and Tahoe and mountain suckers, are an important component of the Tahoe National Forest fisheries. They add diversity, food, and energy to the stream ecosystem should be enjoyed and respected for their unique role in the streams. When caught please return these fish gently to the water!

Remember your limits

Several species of amphibians and reptiles also inhabit the forest streams. Due to their declining numbers world-wide, frogs become an important concern to biologists since these small creatures can often be an indicator of the health of a stream community. Pacific tree frogs and mountain yellow-legged frogs are common, but the foothill yellow-legged frog is a state species of special concern, an California red-legged frog is a state listed protected species/species of special concern. Please enjoy observing these species, but do not handle them because this can lead to mortality.

Best Places To Catch A Fish

Cave rock on the east shore is a pretty good place to catch fish. It is stocked periodically, as are the waters off the El Dorado Campground and Camp Richardson on the south shore. If you're on the north shore, the Kings Beach and Lake Forest areas are planted throughout the summer. Salmon eggs are the best bait for the stocked rainbows.

Fishing in the Desolation Wilderness

Although Desolation gets pretty crowded, it is not overfished. Fishing success in summer is poor, however, because as the small lakes warm up, the trout move to the cooler deep water, less accessible to shore fishing. Stunting, or reduced growth, is happening in several stream overpopulation, so that's why you may only catch small fish in Desolation's creeks. We do stock the entire area with fingerlings, so there are fish.

Trophy Fish

In addition to fishing in Lake Tahoe, Spooner Lake is managed as a trophy fishery. It is open all year for 'catch and release." Only artificial lures may be used (no bait), and motorized boats are allowed. Inflatable rafts without motors, float tubes, and similar gear may be used.

Hobart Creek Reservoir and its outlet, Franktown creek to Red House, are also managed as trophy fisheries, but here you may keep three fish that are a minimum of 12 inches in length each. The fishing season is from May 1 to September 6, and only artificial lures may be used (no bait).

Golden Trout

Goldens are one of the hardest fish to catch; they're extremely sensitive and require ultra-light gear. Use a dissolvable sinker that is released once the line is out, so the fish don't feel any resistance on the bait. Goldens are planted in lakes above 9,000 feet in Desolation Wilderness, and recommend Cathedral Lake by Fallen Leaf for catching Goldens.

Mackinaws

Your best bet for catching Mackinaw is with a local guide, mainly because these folks have years of experience and will also supply the expert tackle. Because throughout Lake Tahoe, Fallen Leaf, and Caples Lake, trying to catch one can be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. If you are ambitious, the local sport stores can line you up with the gear, and deep-line trolling is the way to get them.

Notes For A Successful Trip

Do you have a valid & completed fishing license? If you are 16 years or over, you must have either a California or Nevada fishing license to fish in Lake Tahoe. If you are planning on just fishing for a short while, temporary licenses are also available.

Are you sure of the fishing season? Because many of the sport fish spawn in Lake Tahoe's tributaries in the spring and fail, the streams which drain into Lake Tahoe and their tributaries up to the first lake are closed to fishing from October 1st to July 15th. However, Tahoe itself is open all year, except within 200 yards of the mouth of any stream. Most high sierra lakes are also open all year.

Limits on fish have been changed, with a two fish limit on Mackinaws, and, for a combination of fish, five total. For complete information, a the California and Nevada Fish and Game Fishing Regulations brochure at any sport store.

Good Luck and have a Good Catch.