FISHING HOT SPOTS

Excerpted from the Sport Fishing Rules and Regulations booklet.  For complete copies of the Rules and Regulations contact either the Nevada Department of Fish and Game (775) 784-6214, or California Department of Fish and Game (530) 355-7090.  Now pay attention!

 

Licenses                                                                                                

Any person, 16 years of age of over, fishing in Lake Tahoe must have in his or her possession either a valid California sport fishing license with appropriate stamps or a valid Nevada fishing license complete with name and required information.

 

Seasons                                                                                                 

Lake Tahoe is open to fishing year around, except for the tributary streams.  For regulations covering these streams, consult fishing regulations for both states. 

 

Closed Areas                                                                                         

No fishing is permitted within 300 feet in any direction form the mouth of any stream tributary to Lake Tahoe except during the time that the individual stream is open to legal fishing.  Small segments of the lake may be closed to fishing.  If in doubt, procure a copy of the annual fishing regulations issued free of charge at any license agency or contact representatives of the Fish and Game Department.

 

Hours                                                                                                     

Fishing is legal in Lake Tahoe one hour before sunrise to two after sunset.

 

Limits                                                                                                     

Limit of 5 game fish in possession, not more than 2 of which can be Mackinaw trout.  The Mountain whitefish is separate from the game fish limit; you can have up to 15 Whitefish in possession per day.

 

Inspection                                                                                              

Fishing licenses, fishing tackle and fish in possession must be shown to any conservation officer, game warden or fish and game official from Nevada or California upon demand and along with suitable identification credentials, if required.

 

Tackle                                                                                                    

It shall be lawful to take fish only with hook and line attached to a rod or reel held in the hand or closely attended.  As used in this section, the word, “hook” shall be deemed to include not more than three baited hooks, nor more than two plugs or lures, irrespective of the number of hooks or attractor blades attached thereto, to be attached to the line.  Only one such combination of hooks, line and rod or reel shall be used by one person at any time.

 

Live Bait                                                                                 

No fish my be used for bait or possessed for use as bait in Lake Tahoe except non-game fish which are native to and taken from Lake Tahoe.  Said non-game fish are limited to the following: Lahontan Redside Shiner, Tui Chum, Tahoe sucker, Lahontan Mountain Sucker. Puite Sculpin and Lahotan Speckled Dace.

 

Chumming                                                                                              

Chumming is prohibited in Lake Tahoe.

 

Spear fishing                                                                                         

Spearing fishing is prohibited in Lake Tahoe.

 

Fishing Techniques                                                                                                                                                 

The skillful angler minimizes the disadvantages of Tahoe’s wonderfully clear water in the ways:

 

By not fishing during times of mirror-like calm, unless fishing deep for Mackinaw.  Even a slight surface ripple will break up shadows cast on the bottom; this will partially obliterate the angler and his equipment from view by the fish.

By using a Very light monofilament line.

By using a very long line for trolling, or by making very long casts if fishing from the shoreline.

By using natural or live bait and allowing the line to sink to the bottom when fishing from the shore.

 

Fishing for large specimens of Rainbow trout is at its best during the fall and winter months.  However, Mackinaw fishing is good year around.  Surface fishing for Kokanee is best during May and June.

 

Boat fishing is of two general types.  These are known locally as “deep-lining” and “top-lining”.  The former requires more skill than the latter.

 

Deep-lining requires specialized tackle.  This means a stout rod, large capacity reel and a long, weighted line such as copper, montel metal or lead-cored nylon.  A large one- or two-bladed attractor spoon or spinner is attached to the end of the line and three or four feet of heavy gut or metal leader is attached to this.  A hook with a minnow or one of the casting and trolling type lures is tied to the end of the leader.  This spinner is let out behind the boat and allowed to sink to the bottom in an area of known or suspected good fishing.  The motor of the boat is then brought to its slowest trolling speed or very nearly so. 

 

Small motors are desirable for this type of trolling for the speed must be very slow.  The lure or minnow must be kept within one or two feet of the bottom.  This is controlled by watching the tell-tale action of the rod tip and taking in or letting out line as may be required, since the bait or attractors must hit the bottom from time to time in order to determine the proper depth.  The depths of water in which fishing of this type is usually done vary from about one hundred to five hundred feet.  Occasionally, a Rainbow trout is taken in this manner, but usually the Mackinaw is the prize.  Although the strike of the Mackinaw is definite, the inexperienced deep-liner will have difficulty at first distinguishing a strike from the “strike” of a rock bottom.  However, this fish puts up little fight as a rule.  When it is reeled from the deep water the change in pressure causes the air bladder inside the fish to expand thus immobilizing the fish.

 

The rewards from this type of fishing may be great, for a limit of sizable Mackinaw trout taken might weigh from 10 to 40 or 50 pounds.  The table qualities of the Mackinaw are among the finest of piscatorial gourmets’ delight.  Remember, the key to success at deep-lining is to keep the lure or minnow as close to the bottom as possible, for the Mackinaw trout will not venture far from the bottom, even for your choicest lure.

 

Hand-lining which is really a form of deep-lining, employs a large reel or spool which is attached to the boat, and is used in place of the rod and reel.  The metal line with its lure or minnow and attractor blades is let out to the required depth with the bait or lure always near the bottom.  Thereafter, the line is slowly and continuously raised and lowered by hand, but always within a foot or tow of the bottom.  Presently. There are only a few fishermen who participate in this type of fishing, but these have excellent results. 

 

Top-ling is simpler.  This consists of trolling fairly close to the shore preferably in areas of gravel and rocks.  Here a long, light monofilament line is used and it matters not whether the rod and reel is of the spinning or bait casting variety.  An artificial lure is trilled behind the boat.  It is wise to try to keep the lure in water of 6 to 25 feet in depth.  The Rainbow is the principal quarry in this type of fishing but Kokanee salmon or an occasional Brown trout will also be taken.  During the late fall, winter and spring, even the Mackinaw may be caught by this method.

 

A third way of fishing exists, perhaps not as productive as the other two methods, but thought by many to be more pleasant.  And, it doesn’t require a boat and motor.  This is merely still-fishing by casting from the shoreline or docks in areas that have the general type of bottoms described above.  Eggs, worms, a minnow, a small crayfish, or other natural bait is fished on the bottom and a very light monofilament line is used.  Lures have also been used successfully casting from the shore or dock.  Fly casting at various times of the year when trout are feeding at the surface has netted good results.

 

Note:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Anglers should check with locals and sporting goods stores form information on where they’re biting, or consider the services of an experienced guide to increase the chances of a successful outing

Where to Fish and When                                                                                                                                                                                                       

The numbers of people fishing the lakes and streams vary with the access and amenities (stores, campgrounds) available at the sites.  Realize that some lakes with good, roaded access probably receive much greater public use than the more remote lakes.  The same applies to streams and stream crossings.  Those with developed campgrounds receive greater use, and those which receive plantings of catchable rainbow receive the greatest use.  Sites such as these include Jackson Meadow Reservoir, Fuller Lake, French Meadows Reservoir, and the Indian Valley Campground complex along the North Yuba.

 

The streams on the Tahoe are open form the last Saturday in April to November 15.  The lakes are open year round unless otherwise specified; however, many of the lakes become inaccessible from November to May due to snowfall.  Some of the larger and deeper high elevation lakes with paved road access provide excellent winter fishing through the ice.  Please be aware that winter conditions require much more caution fishing in summer.  Some lakes with good winter fishing include Prosser, Boca, and Stampede Reservoirs on the east side of the Forest. (Continued on page 3)

 

Where to Fish and When                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Most of us like to fish lakes in the summer months, to escape the heat of the lowlands and to enjoy the beautiful mountain weather and cool night.  However, those large trophy sized brown and rainbow trout are much more active in the early spring and late fall.  You won’t catch them from shore at noon, regardless ho how fishy the lake looks, and that is why they grow to trophy size!

 

The Lakes                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

There are over 20,000 surface acres of lakes in the Tahoe National Forest.  They range in size from small, high mountain potholes to large reservoirs that store water for domestic uses. The lakes which are capable of supporting fisheries on the Forest primarily contain coldwater fish, such as the trout’s, about one quarter of the lakes (e.g., Bullard’s Bar and Sugar Pine Reservoirs) provide fishing for warm water game fish. 

 

Each lake on the forest is managed for its own fishery.  CDF&G and Forest biologists check the lakes, and the fish, to determine whether management or stocking plans need changing.  Planting may be discontinued if fish are found to be reproducing naturally. 

 

Many of the lakes within the Forest boundaries are privately owned.  Ownership of private land, and access to lake shores, can change from year to year.  Permission may be denied to fish a lake which once was open to the public.  Trout are stocked by CDF&G only in waters affording free public access and free public fishing from shore.  Check with your local Forest Service office for updated information on access to the lakes on private land, and please respect the right of private landowners.

 

The Streams                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

There are more than 1,500 miles of streams and rivers to fish on the Tahoe, The great majority of forests streams do not receive planting of trout but support limited “natural” trout fisheries.  Historical uses of many of the streams and water has affected the quality of fish habitat and reduced fish populations.  The Tahoe National Forest is committed to protected and maintaining all existing fish habitat, and to improving that habitat through rehabilitation and improvement projects.

 

Several streams on the Forest flow through sections of private land.  Again, please respect the rights of private landowners.  Forest streams with difficult access and year-round cool stream flows support good fisheries for bright and colorful native rainbows.  Lavezzola creek, on the Downieville ranger District, is one such stream and it has been designates as a Wild Trout Stream by CDF&G.

 

How to Release Fish                                                                                                                                                                                                              

About five percent of angles currently release their catches, with the numbers increasing every year.  Trout that are released are usually from streams supporting natives.  The anglers fishing those streams generally intend to release their fish.  Trout are sensitive to handling, although they easily survive when handled correctly.  Try to keep them in the water and use needle nose pliers or a de-hook device.  Avoid or limit touching, particularly the gill area, and wet your hands when you must handle fish.  Lake fish, especially warm water fish, are also regularly and easily released to grow and be caught again. 

 

A Few Reminders:                                                                                                                                                                                                 

ALWAYS CARRY OF COPY OF THE CALIFORNIA SPORT FISHING REGULATION!!

It is ILLEGAL to use MINNOWS for bait in the mountain lakes.  Minnows can escape, survive, and quickly destroy a trout fishery by eating up the food base for young trout.

Slippery boulders in and along streams make for tricky walking and wading conditions.   Step deliberately and use extra caution when wading in the larger streams. 

Mosquitoes frequent our streams and lakes during the summer.  Be prepared, with a long sleeved shirt and insect repellent.

Don’t let sunburn spoil your day of fishing. Wear some sort of protection (clothing, hat, and sunscreen) and remember that the light reflecting off the water increases the amount of sun your are getting.

Weather in the mountains can change quickly.  Be sure to bring warm clothing -  and an extra change of clothes.

PLEASE DO NOT LITTER!!  It is hard to enjoy fishing when you are standing near empty beer cans, broken glass, and other garbage.  Old fishing line, plastic fasteners and other refuse can be hazardous to animals which may come into contact with them. It’s just as easy to pack it out as it is to pack it in.

NOTE:  Only water from developed systems at recreation sites is maintained safe to drink.  Open water sources are easily contaminated by human or animal waste.  Water from springs, lakes, ponds. And streams should be properly treated before drinking.  One recommended method of treatment is to bring clear water to a rolling boil for five minutes.

 

Planted Trout                                                                                                                                                                                                         

There are two basic categories of planted trout in the State fish planting program:  Fingerlings and Catchables. 

 

Fingerlings - A fingerling trout is born and raised in a hatchery until it is about three inched in length.  Fingerlings are planted mainly in lakes on a varied schedule, sometimes yearly or every other year.  The intent is to get a good age

class distribution of fish (different groups, ages and sizes of fish in the lake).  Most fingerling plantings occur only one a

year, and because they are not fully raised on hatchery food, a good percentage survive and adapt to eating the natural foods in the lake.  Fingerling trout are planted by aircraft in the remote or high-mountain lakes.

 

Catchables – It may take 14 months, lots of hatchery space, to raise a trout to catchable size (10 to 14 inches).  Catchables size trout require truck transport, and therefore a road to the site.  To justify planting catchables, State biologist must feel confident that at least half the planted fish get caught to the angler.  Planted catchables can disperse or “disappear”) quickly in lakes that are large and deep or in swiftly flowing streams.  Survival rate through the winter for lake planted catchables averages ten percent, if conditions are good.    Stream plants rarely adapt to eating natural food in their new environment and seldom survive a winter.

 

Where to Plant                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Several criteria were considered by California Department of Fish & Games (CDF&G) Biologist to determine which lakes or streams should continue to be planted, what they should be planted with, and how often.  The criteria used were specific biological factors. (Temperature and water quality), the past performance of the planted fish, the amount and type of public use (boater versus hikers, for exam [le), and the condition of the road access for the CDF&G planting truck.

 

The majority of streams and many small lakes on this Forest do not receive plantings.  This is usually because the fish are doing well naturally, and many anglers prefer to know the fish they seek are native to the stream. 

 

If you see a California Department of Fish and Game angler survey station, please take the time to fill out the fishing questionnaire.  Angler surveys provide valuable information to the State Fish and Game biologists.

 

 

FISHING IN THE TAHOE NATIONAL FOREST

 

Welcome                                                                                                                                                                                                                

The Tahoe National Forest has become a favorite recreation area for fishing, and receives more anglers yearly than any other National Forest in California.  The Tahoe is located within a three hour driving distance form the San Francisco Bay Area; it is an hour and a half from Sacramento and about an hour from Reno.  The proximity of these major urban areas to the Tahoe, with its large and varied number of lakes, rivers and streams has made recreation, and particularly sport fishing, a major use on the Forest. 

 

Brochures with additional fish and fishing information, such as directions to particular streams and lakes, are available at any Forest Service Office.  You may also wish to pick up brochures which contain listings of camping facilities and trails located throughout the Tahoe.

 

Fishing Regulations                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Be sure to read the California sport-fishing regulations when you purchase your fishing license.  Each year two days, one in spring and one in the fall, are designated as free fishing days where anyone can go fishing without a license.  This is a good time to take a young person fishing.

 

The State Fish and Game Department will continue to stock hatchery catchable and fingerling trout as certain sites.  Please obtain specific Ranger District fishing brochures to see what is being planted.

The Fish                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

There are 23 species of fish on the Tahoe region, fifteen of which are considered game fish.  In Lake Tahoe and its tributaries, there are 12 species, only 7 native t and 5 intentionally or unintentionally.

 

The cold water game species contain nearly all the trout’s, including golden and lake trout.  The warm water species are less numerous due to the smaller amount of suitable waters. Of the trout species, the Lahontan cutthroat were once the only trout native to the east side of the Forest and northern Sierra.  Now the Lahontan are listed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as a threatened species.

The Fish (cont.)                                                                                                                                                                                                      

The other game species of fish vary greatly in size and distribution throughout the forest.  Small native rainbows can be found in remote, high country streams.  Trophy sized brown trout, ranging from five to 15 pounds in weight, are surprisingly common in many of the larger deeper mountain lakes, such as Lake Spaulding and Bowman Reservoir.  The casual angler may find browns very challenging to catch.  Some of the deeper, high elevation lakes (e.g. Gold and Donner Lakes) also support good fisheries for lake trout (Makinaw).  Bullards 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
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Native nongame, fish, such as, the tui chub, cpeckled dace, Lahontan redside, Piute sculpin, and Tahoe and mountain suckers, are also an important component of the Tahoe National Forest fisheries.  They add diversity, food, and energy to the stream ecosystems and should be enjoyed and respected for their unique role in the streams.  When caught please return these fish gently to the water/

 

Several species of amphibians and reptiles also inhabit the forest streams.  Due to their declining numbers world-wide, frogs have 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 mt. Yellow-legged frogs are common, but the foothill yellow-legged frog is a state species of special concern, and the California red-legged frog is a state listed protected species/species of special concern.  Please enjoy observing these species, but please do not handle them because this can lead to mortality.

 

Questions & Answers                                                                                                                                                                                                            

The answers to the these questions have been provided Russ Wickwire,, California Department of Fish and Game Biologist for the Lake Tahoe area since 1971.

 

I’m just up for a few days, camping, and I don’t want to travel far.  Where is the best place to catch 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 also planted throughout the summer.  Salmon eggs are the best bait for the stocked rainbows.

 

I’m going backpacking in Desolation Wilderness and have been told that it’s over fished, so don’t bother to bring a pole.  Is that true?

Although Desolation gets pretty crowded, it is not over fished.  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 streams for overpopulation, so that’s why you may only catch small fish in Desolation’s creeks.  We do stock the entire area with fingerlings, so the fish are there!

 

What about Goldens?  My dream is to catch one; how do I go about it?

Golden’s are one of the hardest fish to catch; they’re extremely sensitive and require ultra-light gear.  I use a dissolvable sinker that is released once the line is out, so they don't fell any resistance on the bait.  We plant goldens in lakes above 9,000 feet in Desolation Wilderness, and I also recommend Cathedral Lake by Fallen Leaf for catching Golden’s.

 

How do I catch one of those 37 pound 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 expensive 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.  But if you are ambitious, local sport stores can line you up with the gear, and deep-line trolling is the way to get them.

 

What are the local records?

Two state records were made in Lake Tahoe; a 37 pound Mackinaw and a 4 pound, 3 ounce Kokanee Salmon.  A 12 pound rainbow and a 17 pound Brown are records for the Lake, so far.

 

Getting Your License, Etc.                                                                                                                                                                                    

Before you go fishing, ask yourself these two questions:

 

<!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø  <!--[endif]-->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.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø  <!--[endif]-->Are you sure of the fishing season?  Because many of the sport fish spawn in Lake Tahoe’s tributaries in the spring and fall, 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, Lake 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, ask for the California and Nevada Fish and Game Fishing Regulations brochure at any sport store.

 

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

 

Franktown Creek, below red House, is open all year with general Nevada fishing limits.

 

Marlette Lake and its tributaries are closed to al fishing.  Those waters are maintained as brood stock sources for the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout