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Last Updated May 21st, 2026

Lakes Around the Truckee-Tahoe Area

Donner Lake

At Donner Lake, lake capacity is at 100% and has great spring fishing conditions. The shore bite for rainbows has picked up for anglers using a Carolina rig with powerbait or worms. Spinners like kastmasters, rooster tails, and panther martins are also good bets to try. Water temperature is around 50s°F. Anglers trolling for mackinaw can find them deep, around 100 to 120 feet using hook up baits and downriggers. Anglers fishing for Kokanee at Donner Lake should try fishing in 20 to 30 feet of water with flashers or hoochies for best results.

Boca Reservoir

At Boca Reservoir, water levels are at 100% capacity and the bite is good. For Memorial Day weekend, expect a pick up in boat traffic here, so it’s best to fish in the mornings or evenings. Anglers fishing for Kokanee should try using flashers and a wedding ring for solid bites. Anglers shore fishing for bass at Boca should try using rubber worms with a jighead and anglers trying for rainbows should try using rooster tails or powerbait and worms with a Carolina rig.

Stampede Reservoir

At Stampede Reservoir, the boat launch is open and water capacity is at 100%. Water temps are averaging in the mid 50s°F. Anglers fishing for Kokanee can try trolling pink and orange hoochies behind dodgers in 25–40 feet of water. Most kokanee are still small, about 8–10 inches in size, but aggressive. Anglers trolling for rainbows at Stampede Reservoir can find success using rapalas. Shore anglers fishing for trout should try using spinners or worms and powerbait with a Carolina rig. Quality rainbows are being caught from both shore and a boat.

Prosser Creek Reservoir

At Prosser, water temperatures are climbing into the mid 50s°F and water capacity is at 100%. The north end of the reservoir is seeing some action on PowerBait and small spoons for trout. Bass are beginning to push into the shallows and are biting aggressively before they start their spawning stage. Look for the bass bite in the warming pockets and weed edges as spring transitions into early summer and use a rubber worm wacky rig or rubber worm with a jig head for best results.

Jackson Meadows

Access is open at Jackson Meadows, but conditions may vary in certain spots on the road. The boat launch is expected to be open starting this weekend, depending on weather and staffing. Anglers can expect an aggressive shore bite for rainbow trout. Shore anglers can use a variety of methods and lures for the best results like spinners, powerbait, or worms. If the boat launch is open, anglers out on the water can expect to find some nice size browns at Jackson Meadows. Anglers trolling out on the water at Jackson Meadows should try flashers and rapalas.

Lake Tahoe

At Lake Tahoe, mackinaw fishing has been great. Anglers can find mackinaw around 200 feet deep. For trout fishing, fishing from a boat or shore has been successful early morning or at last light of the day. Water temperatures are around 50 degrees.

Pyramid Lake

At Pyramid Lake, lake capacity is full and the boat launch is open. Fish at Pyramid are nearing the end of their spawn and could become more aggressive on the bite. With the fair outside temperatures, the shore bite can still be decent. Fish will move out deeper as soon as the weather turns warmer. For the best results, it’s best to fish from a float tube, kayak, or boat in 30 to 50 feet of water. Anglers should use hookup baits, sierra spoons and jigs, or midges and balanced leeches.