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Last Updated September 30th, 2026

Lakes Around the Truckee-Tahoe Area

Donner Lake

Fishing at Donner Lake is improving as boating activity slows and cooler fall conditions settle in. Rainbow trout are being caught around the west end using PowerBait, worms, and spinners such as Kastmasters, while slip sinker rigs continue to produce the best results for shore anglers. Boat anglers can find fish suspended at varying depths, with Mackinaw holding deeper around 100–130 feet and schools of kokanee around 60–80 feet. Anglers planning to bring a boat should note that the Donner Lake boat ramp is closed for renovations for the remainder of the season.

Boca Reservoir

Boca Reservoir continues to fish well as water levels gradually drop with releases into the Truckee River. Early mornings and late evenings remain the most productive times to fish. Shore anglers are finding trout near the inlet using lures, worms, and salmon eggs, with some quality brown trout also being caught throughout the reservoir. Kokanee fishing remains steady, with schools of fish averaging around 10–12 inches providing consistent action. For anglers targeting kokanee, trolling wedding rings behind flashers and covering plenty of water continues to be one of the most effective approaches.

Stampede Reservoir

Water levels at Stampede Reservoir continue to decrease heading into fall, but anglers still have several fishing opportunities. Kokanee are beginning to stage for their spawning run, with fish averaging around 10 inches and concentrating near the Sagehen and Little Truckee inlets. Rainbow trout anglers are finding success trolling Rapalas, while shore anglers can target trout near the dam using worms, PowerBait, and spinners. Smallmouth bass fishing has slowed considerably with the cooler conditions and, unless the weather changes, the bass bite is expected to remain slow for the remainder of the season.

Prosser Creek Reservoir

Prosser Reservoir is around 55% full and continues to provide consistent fishing heading into fall. Cutthroat and rainbow trout are being caught near the north end and along shelves using worms, PowerBait, and salmon eggs, with some quality cutbows also showing up. Bass fishing remains fair as fish continue feeding ahead of winter. Anglers targeting bass should focus on weed lines, submerged structure, and warmer pockets of water using crawdad imitations, Senkos, or inline spinners such as Rooster Tails. Prosser remains a solid fall option for anglers looking to target either trout or bass.

Jackson Meadows

Jackson Meadows Reservoir is currently accessible Thursday through Sunday and is providing excellent rainbow trout fishing from shore. Spinners, PowerBait, and worms are all producing consistent action from several areas around the lake, giving shore anglers plenty of opportunities. Boat anglers are also finding quality brown trout by trolling Rapalas through deeper water. With productive shoreline fishing and opportunities to target both rainbow and brown trout, Jackson Meadows remains a worthwhile fall destination. It can also be a good option for anglers looking to get away from some of the heavier fishing pressure found on other local waters.

Lake Tahoe

As Lake Tahoe transitions into fall, fish will begin moving closer to shore in preparation for the winter season. Shore anglers should focus on rocky points that provide quick access to deeper water, giving trout an easy transition between depths and providing anglers with better opportunities. Cloudy days can also produce improved fishing conditions as the season progresses and temperatures continue to cool. Anyone planning to fish Lake Tahoe should keep a close eye on current weather and wind conditions before heading out, as conditions on the lake can change quickly and significantly affect fishing opportunities.

Pyramid Lake

The fishing season at Pyramid Lake opens this wekeend, October 1, with fishing typically improving as conditions transition toward winter. Cloudy and stormy days can provide some of the better opportunities, making changing weather patterns worth watching when planning a trip. Early in the season, most fish are still holding in deeper water, which can make shore fishing more challenging. As temperatures continue to cool, fish should gradually move into more accessible water and improve opportunities from shore. The shore bite typically begins to pick up more noticeably during November as colder late-fall conditions settle in.