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Last Updated 4/21/25

Lakes Around the Truckee-Tahoe Area

Donner Lake

Donner lake is producing some solid Mackinaw action near the bottom over a 100 feet deep using 6” plugs, large spoons and jigged swimbaits. Surface temps are in the mid-40s, but fish are staying deep around 120 feet. Kokanee and Macs are in the same part of the water column right now. Try trolling dodgers with pink hoochies very deep at 80 feet for the kokanee. Rainbows are active early all day near shore with PowerBait or worms. Donner is gin clear as usual.

Boca Reservoir

Boca’s fishing and boating season is picking up with good flows from the Little Truckee and the water temps are in the upper -40s. Shore anglers are getting rainbows and browns on nightcrawlers and Kastmasters. Trollers are running flashers with worms or small Rapalas along the dam and west side of the lake. The inlet area is also fly fishing well with streamers and nymphs, it is catch and release in any moving water flowing into boca . Be cautious of soft shoreline areas this time of year.

Stampede Reservoir

Kokanee are starting to bite , though still small at 12”.   Trolling pink or orange hoochies behind dodgers in 25–40 feet of water is getting bites. Rainbows are hitting near the surface early in the day. Fly anglers are finding success near the inlet with woolly buggers and leeches. Water temps in the high 40s. Launch ramp access is good with the boat ramp is cleared of snow. THANKS to the locals for plowing it out.

Prosser Creek Reservoir

Prosser remains a great spot for float tubers and kayaks. Water’s still cool, upper 40s, but active rainbows and a few cutthroat are taking small streamers and nymphs under indicators. The north end and creek mouths are fishing best. Shore anglers doing well with PowerBait and worms. Afternoon bite is stronger as the water warms a bit. Bass are on the prowl as the weather warms up.

Jackson Meadows

Access is shut down due to snow and muddy roads, but thaw is progressing quickly. No current boat launching. When accessible, expect good early-season action for rainbows with small spoons, worms, and streamers. Keep an eye on road conditions. Fish are hungry post-winter, so once reachable, it’ll be worth the hike.

Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is offering strong spring fishing conditions. Anglers are reporting steady catches of Mackinaw (lake trout), brown trout, and some rainbow trout. Mackinaw in the 5–9 lb range are being caught by trolling at depths of 70–120 feet using minnow-style plugs like Rapalas or AC Plugs. Jigging with white or chartreuse tube jigs tipped with sucker meat is also effective. Shore fishing is productive during early mornings and evenings, with nightcrawlers under slip bobbers or small spinners yielding results. Productive areas include Emerald Bay, Zephyr Cove, Cave Rock, and the Tahoe City Shelf. With rising water levels, good visibility, and mild spring weather, fishing conditions are ideal for both boat and shore anglers.

Pyramid Lake

As of late April 2025, fishing at Pyramid Lake has been slow because fish are spawning and post-spawning now.