Anglers can fish for rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, mountain whitefish, and largemouth bass (in lower sections). High runoff from March to June makes fishing difficult, but once flows return to normal in summer, the river becomes easier to fish.
Table of Contents
Where can I fly fish in Truckee River?
You can access this section from Highway 89. This upper section boasts much clearer water than the rest of the River. The section from Trout Creek to the Boca Reservoir is designated as a Wild Trout stream. This is the most popular section to fly fish, and you will find many rainbow and brown trout here.
Can you fish the Truckee River right now?
Just downstream of the town of Truckee, starting at Trout Creek to the California / Nevada border, special “wild trout” regulations are in place, and the river is open year round and only barbless artificial flies may be used.
Is the Truckee River open for fishing?
Truckee River Lake Tahoe’s only outlet, the Truckee starts its journey from Lake Tahoe’s dam at Tahoe City and continues along Highway 89 to the town of Truckee. Fishing is closed year round from the dam to 1,000 feet downstream.
Where is the best fishing on the Truckee River?
Although there is some good fishing in the small upper Truckee above Lake Tahoe near South Lake Tahoe, the major fishing occurs below Lake Tahoe between Tahoe City and Reno. Access to this river is easy since it follows California Highway 89 and Interstate 80 along its entire length.
Is the Truckee River catch and release?
Best Places to Fish the Little Truckee River This section is catch and release only, and you can only use barbless hooks and artificial lures. You can also find good trout fishing in the Little Truckee’s tributaries, such as Independence Creek and Perazzo Creek.
Can you use bait on the Truckee River?
Truckee River You can find lots of runs, riffles, and deep pools, which mean you can use bait, lure, or flies.
Can you fish the Truckee River in Reno?
The Truckee River offers some of the best water in the West, including a fly fishing only, catch-and-release section that is close to downtown Reno and easily accessible from Interstate 80. Catch rainbow trout and brown trout in the beautiful Truckee River. It’s open year-round!
Can you fish the Truckee River in the winter?
Winter fishing can be good and is characterized by small flies and cold water. We fish a variety of techniques suited to the water types that we are fishing. Nymphing is most productive, but we do have some opportunities to fish dries to rising trout. All fishing on the Truckee is done while walk/wading.
Can you use barbed hooks in the Truckee River?
The new regulations, touted to preserve fisheries in the Truckee River, extends from the Boca Bridge near Hirschdale to the Nevada state line. The more restrictive rules do not allow the use of bait fishing or barbed hooks, and allow anglers to keep just two fish over 14 inches in length.
Can you fish the Truckee River at night?
Truckee River Season open year around, any hour of the day or night, except in that portion from Derby Dam downstream 1,000 feet, which is closed to fishing.
Do they stock the Truckee River?
Short answer: The Nevada Department of Wildlife intentionally stocks the Truckee River with sterile rainbow trout. This is to help the Lahontan cutthroat trout โ a native and threatened species โ strengthen its population by not interbreeding with the rainbows while still giving anglers something to fish.
What is a green drake fly?
A western green drake or Drunella Grandis is a large crawling mayfly that can be easily identified for its upright mayfly wings and vibrant green color. They are most often found in size #10-#12 sometimes even an #8 sized fly.
Is the Truckee River a tailwater?
Little Truckee River: The Little Truckee River is a tailwater that starts from the outflow of Webber Lake and fills two Reservoirs, Boca and Stampede, prior to emptying in the Truckee River.
What is a PMD fly fishing?
Pale Morning Duns or PMDs provide some of the finest dry fly action of the summer. They are classified as crawler nymphs. Nymphs, emergers, cripples, duns, and spinners are very important to catch the most selective trout. Spinners vary according to sex.
Can you fish in Donner Creek?
Donner Creek is a stream near Truckee. The most popular species caught here are Rainbow trout, Brown trout, and Black bullhead.
How do you fly fish?

Can you fish the Truckee River in December?
The Truckee River has been fishing very well. The fish have acclimated to the colder water and are feeding with regularity. We suggest not looking for numbers this time of year, but quality.
Where does the Truckee River begin and end?
The Truckee River flows for 120 miles from the outlet of Lake Tahoe in California, into Nevada, through the city of Reno, until it terminates at Pyramid Lake and is the only source of surface-water outflow from Lake Tahoe.
Is fishing with corn illegal in California?
Answer: Corn is permitted as bait for carp โ and any other species of fish and in any type of inland waters where bait is allowed.
Is it legal to fish at night in California?
Answer: There are no time restrictions when fishing in the ocean unless you are fishing from a beach with a curfew. In most inland waters, salmon may only be taken between one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. (See CCR Title 14, section 3.00.)
How many rods can you fish with in California?
You may use no more than two rods and lines, two hand lines, or two nets, traps or other appliances used to take crabs. Species-specific gear restrictions (such as for rockfish, lingcod and salmon) do apply when fishing from a pier.
What is the fish limit in Nevada?
Regulations – Limit is 5 game fish. The capture, possession, or use of baitfish, whether dead or alive or the parts thereof, other than preserved salmon eggs and commercially prepared and preserved baitfish is prohibited. Aquatic bait may be used only in the water from which it is taken.
Can you kayak Truckee River?
Located in downtown Reno, the Truckee River Whitewater Park is the ideal spot to paddle out in a kayak or as a group in a raft without the concern of major rapids.
Can you swim in the Truckee River?
Family and friends can enjoy swimming or floating the Truckee River.