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Last Updated May 22nd, 2025

Lakes Around the Truckee-Tahoe Area

Donner Lake

At Donner Lake, Mackinaw fishing continues to be excellent for deep-water trollers using large Rapalas or Lyman lures in 90–120 feet of water near the east shore and boat ramp. Kokanee are starting to bite around 30–40 feet deep in front of Loch Leven Lodge. Shore anglers are seeing sporadic rainbow trout action near the boat ramp on PowerBait and nightcrawlers. Surface temps are in the mid 50s°F, climbing slightly midday. Mornings remain the most productive. Shore anglers should try to hit the early morning hours this weekend for the best access. Water clarity is excellent, and lake capacity is around 88% at Donner Lake.

Boca Reservoir

At Boca Reservoir, water levels are steadily rising, and the shoreline bite is heating up. Productive areas include the dam and southeastern banks, where anglers are catching fish using worms and PowerBait. Trollers are connecting with kokanee and trout at 40–50 feet using pink hoochies, small Rapalas, and flashers. Fly anglers targeting the inlet are finding success with leeches and streamers. Expect heavier boat traffic and recreational boaters due to the holiday weekend. Current reservoir capacity is approximately 90%.

Stampede Reservoir

At Stampede Reservoir, Kokanee fishing continues to improve. Troll pink or orange hoochies behind dodgers in 10–20 feet of water near the dam and Davies Creek arm. Most fish are still small but biting aggressively. Trout are feeding near the surface early, especially near the inlet—try small leeches or woolly buggers. Surface temps are in the upper 50s°F. Parking is accessible, ramps are open, and capacity sits near 90%.

Prosser Creek Reservoir

At Prosser Creek Reservoir, water temps are now in the mid 50s°F. Trout action has slowed post-spawn but it’s picking back up. Trout are still being caught on PowerBait and spoons from the north shore. Bass are moving into shallower water with the increase in temperatures. Anglers should target bass in the coves with streamers or soft plastics. Float tubers and kayakers fishing for trout are finding success with nymphs and streamers under indicators. Prosser Creek Reservoir is around 72% capacity.

Jackson Meadows

Access still remains limited at Jackson Meadows due to some residual snow and muddy roads. Once accessible, anglers can expect red-hot early-season fishing for rainbows feeding aggressively post-winter. Small spoons, worms, and streamers will be the go-to offerings. Just to note, anglers will not be able to launch boats at this fishery this summer to prevent the infestation of the highly invasive golden mussel.

Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe's spring bite is on fire! Water temps hover around 50–55°F, with exceptional clarity thanks to low algae levels—the best in 40 years . Mackinaw are hitting hard between 70–120 ft; troll Rapalas or jig white/chartreuse tubes tipped with sucker meat. Anglers are averaging 3–5 fish per rod . Rainbows and browns are moving shallower—try spoons or flies near shore. Kokanee are staging deeper (55–75 ft), responding well to wedding rings behind flashers . For fly anglers, midges and BWOs are productive in the afternoons. Focus efforts on the southwest and north shores.

Pyramid Lake

At Pyramid Lake, the fishing should be great for Memorial Day weekend. Lahontan Cutthroat are active from Pelican Point to Warrior. Fly anglers using midges from ladders are landing fish, especially early morning and late in the day. Anglers trolling should try fishing at 35–50 feet with Lymans, Flatfish, or Sierra spoons. The fish are cruising the lake and aggressive on the bite. Pyramid lake is full and the access is excellent.