Secret Fishing Holes In Lake Tahoe

Like you, we are looking for the best fishing hot spots in Lake Tahoe or the surrounding Tahoe National Forest. Our list is growing and is provided by the local guide services that can help you anglers get all set up, or even take you on a trip. There are plenty more fishing spots throughout El Dorado County, Donner Summit, and along the East side of the Lake. If you find a good one, send us your review! Here are the kinds of trout out for your enjoyment. You will need a fishing license and some real good techniques if you would like to catch the 'beeg' one.

Boca Reservoir (34,735 ac. ft.) (area map)

2 miles north of the Boca exit off I-80 on Stampede Dam Rd. The place to go for trout fishing with nightcrawlers or salmon eggs for rainbows. For more information contact the Truckee Ranger Station at (530) 478-6257.

Caples Lake (area map)

Located about 60 miles east of Jackson and directly south of Lake Tahoe at 7,950 feet elevation, Caples has 600 surface acres of mountain water with boat rentals available an chances for rainbow, brown, brook and cutthroat. . For more information contact Amador Ranger Station at (209) 295-4251.

Davis Lake (area map)

Check by calling first. The recent reports are very positive. For more information contact the Mohawk Ranger Station at (530) 836-2575. This is near Frenchman's ReEsevoir

Donner Lake (area map)

Urges top liners to try shallow water using flasher/worm combinations or minnow imitating lure or to trawl for Mackinaw using a minnow imitating lure or jig. For more information contact Donner State Park at (530) 582-7892.

Echo Lakes (area map)

Shore fish from the dam or go deep with a boat. Near Echo Summit.

Fallen Leaf Lake (area map)

About 30 miles southeast of Tahoe City at an elevation, high cold lake that offers boat rentals, tackle, groceries, and supplies. Fishing is limited to rainbow, brown, and mackinaw trout but usually very rewarding. For more information contact US Forest Service (530) 573-2600.

Frenchman's Reservoir& Davis Lake (area map)

A slightly lower lake 80 miles west of Highway 395, at 5,558. Usually accessible except in very bad weather with 2 boat ramps lots of rainbow and Kamloop trout and catfish. Good for fly fishing. For more information contact the Beckwourth Ranger Station at (530) 836-2575.

Lake Tahoe Tributaries

It is illegal to fish the tributaries except from July 1 to September 30. No fishing is allowed within 300 feet of these tributaries.

Little Truckee River

Between Stampede Reservoir down-stream to Boca Reservoir you now have to use artificial barbless lures with a two-fish bag limit of fish 14 inches maximum.

Martis Creek Reservoir (area map)

Martis is a zero kill lake. Catch and release fishing only using artificial lures with barbless hooks and no bait

Prosser Creek Reservoir (18,797 ac. ft.) (area map)

Located approximately 40 miles west of Reno, Nevada at an elevation of 5,715 feet, Prosser Reservoir is is said to offer some of the finest California trout fishing including fly fishing, especially with black woolly buggers, nymphs, and midges. For more information call Truckee Ranger District (530) 478-6257.

Pyramid Lake (area map)

Pyramid Lake advertises rather big, stupid fish which jump right on the hook. The season runs from October 1 to June 30th each year. In general the early season, October and November is when to go.

Stampede Reservoir (215,922 ac. ft.) (area map)

Located approximately 15 miles north of Truckee at 5,949 feet elevation, boating is good until the end of summer when the water level drops but shore fishing will get you brown and rainbow trout. For more information call Truckee Ranger District (530) 478-6257.

Upper Truckee River

This area is stocked between Tahoe City and River ranch and you can use powerbait there. You're only allowed to fish the Wild trout area between the Truckee and Trout Creek area with artificial lures.

Truckee River

Fish the deep pools during the early part of the season. Best bets are to fish the section of the river between Tahoe City and the River Ranch. Use powerbait, salmon eggs, and worms. The Department of Fish and Game stocks this section of the river during the spring. The Wild Trout section is restricted to artificial lures or flies and is located below the town of Truckee from Trout Creek to the Boca Bridge. Access to this river is easy since it follows California Highway 89 and Interstate 80 along its entire length. Note that no fishing is allowed in the first 1000' below Lake Tahoe outlet.

Fly Fishing the Desolation Wilderness

Over 100 lakes of all sizes in a 100 square mile federal wilderness area just west of Lake Tahoe.

Sugar Pine Point State Park

is a forested promontory on the western side of Lake Tahoe. Deep-line fisherman can try their luck along Lake Tahoe's 300-foot-deep underwater ledges by trolling for lake trout (Mackinaw) and kokanee Salmon. Top-lining (trolling near the surface) for rainbows is also popular. Shore fishing does not tend to be productive, though the lake's tributaries can be. Be aware that these streams have a very short open season from July 1 through September 30.