Nevada

PYRAMID LAKE CUTTHROAT TROUT
By David Hurley
(Sutcliffe) The cutthroat fishing at Pyramid Lake remains challenging with changing conditions on the lake. For the first time all season, fly fishermen have been showing up in good numbers, and the best action has been taking place with nymphs and similarly small flies near Warrior and Pelican Points, and into shallow water close to the Nets.
Carla Molino of the Pyramid Lake Store said, The fly fishermen are showing up in droves, but it has been difficult to get a read on boat action since there have been few days to troll. She added that the fish are moving into the shallows, and they are around halfway through the spawning period.
As a result, fishing has improved over the past several weeks, but sunny, calm days are the most problematic. The best bite occurs when there is a hard blow from the northeast or southeast from the normal beach locations.
There have been some strange trends on the lake with Joe Mendes of Eagle Eye Charters stating, The water temperatures jumped up from the mid-40s to the high 50 to low 60 degree range within the past three weeks, and this climb is not related to sun exposure.
There is speculation that geothermal events are occurring that have accounted for the rise, and Mendes said, The water is milky in some areas instead of the normal turquoise color.
He added that the fish stocks are healthy, and there is a tremendous amount of plankton, mysis shrimp, tui chubs, and minnows. With all of the food sources, Mendes speculates that the fish are less willing to strike out at artificial lures.
He added, I havent seen conditions such as this in my 35 years of fishing the lake.
The 2nd Annual Sierra Sport and Marine and Eagle Eye Charters Catch and Release ended with a winning fish at 7.15 pounds taken by Glen Murphy of Sutcliffe. Mendes thought the overall action was slow and the size of the fish much smaller than normal.
Sponsors
Blue Ribbon Fishing Charters...Lake Tahoe
Eagle Point Sportfishing...South Lake Tahoe... Report
Sierra Fin Addicts Guide Service...N. Lake Tahoe, NV

Area Fishing Maps
South Fork Reservoir
Walker Lake

Great Places to Fish
Pyramid Lake closes to fishing from June 30 through September 30, while Walker Lake cutthroat fishing slows down during the summer. However, other northern Nevada lakes will provide solid trout action from the summer through fall, especially when many lakes are full or spilling over. Rye Patch Reservoir provides anglers with some unique fish, "wipers," white/ striped bass hybrids, on jigs, crankbaits or live minnows. Knott Creek Reservoir, northwest of Winnemucca, is a trophy trout lake that produces catch and release fish for trophy trout on nymphs. South Fork Lake produces good smallmouth bass fishing in the summer on plastics. Rainbow Trout averaging 18 inches and some browns are on tap for anglers trolling spinners with downriggers.

Wildhorse is expected to produce slower action than last year, but yields rainbows averaging 15 inches for anglers fishing flies and spinners from float tubes. Wilson Lake has rainbow trout in the 16 inch range for nightcrawlers on the bottom.

Fair largemouth bass action is expected in the Ruby Marshes, while lunker brown and rainbows, along with some brook and tiger trout are caught on bait and spinners. The high lakes of the Ruby Mountains are expected to be open in July for brook trout fishing.