The hardcore seasoned anglers who fish the lake week in and week out, know to stay put. Thanks for the comment! I’ve also seen some anglers casting small swimbaits. The LCT will follow your flies right to your rod tip, this is a crucial moment as the trout will then decide to eat or flee. Also, trout don’t always feed the first time they see a prey item (fly). I watch the North and South ends of the lake for dust clouds, if I see any I head to the ramp. 2. No matter what type of boat you have, sonar is critical for you to locate the schools of chubs. Remember to use barbless hooks. The second rig is running Lyman Lures plugs. Specifically during the spring season, as temperatures rise and people come out from hibernation and begin lining up awaiting their chance to land a truly monstrous trout. So why use a ladder? Fishing Guides & Outfitters Fishing Lakes and Rivers scheme. Let row B represent hours per fish caught fishing from the shore, and let row A represent hours per fish caught using a boat. A place to share my love for the outdoors and everything to do with it. Lake Map (print) Lake Map (large) Pyramid Lake Fisheries Website. The key to a successful troll is the weight. You must purchase a tribal fishing license for Pyramid Lake, but you do not need a State of Nevada fishing license. With padded chairs, extra rod racks and cup holders. Fishing from ladders has become synonymous with Pyramid Lake. Beaches where drop offs are pronounced and close to shore are areas where, in my opinion, ladders should not be used. I start with darker lures, and use brighter colors as the day gets bright. Fishing season runs from October 1st to June 30th, with the peak season being December-April. I rig up a Frisky Jenny Flies Hand-Tied Fly behind a dodger or a flasher. The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe has increased daily fishing fees to $24 for adults, $12 for youth. Pyramid Lake, Nevada. Creel surveys show from 1992 to 2010, ten or more fish are released to a single fish kept. A Nevada fishing license is not needed, however a permit must be purchased for fishing or boating on the lake. The mention of Pyramid Lake, Nevada around me stops me mid-sentence. You have entered an incorrect email address! If fish are in water depths greater than 10-15 feet, a ½ to 2 oz, banana weight can be used to get lures down on the troll. So when using a ladder/chair it is best to place it back away from the drop off. Learning about new tactics, gear, species, and conditions is all part of what makes it challenging and enjoyable for me. What locals call the Pyramid Highway (Nevada 445) starts at I80 in Sparks, near Victorian Square. The first lures out of the box are my early morning lures. Unless, You wade into the water and try to get as close to the drop off as possible. Pyramid Lake is entirely within the boundaries of the Pyramid Lake Piute Indian Reservation. Many anglers follow solunar charts to determine fish activity. I prefer trolling. For this reason, shore anglers can be just as, if not more successful than boat anglers. Presented below are Tour Companies that offer guided fishing trips and/or fishing equipment rentals for lakes and rivers in and near Pyramid Lake. Now retired, I designed and run Outdoorexcuse.com. I’m not saying its a cure all but i wouldn’t be shocked if your fishing experience shows improvement. They follow and stalk food sometimes through great distances. But it has a time and a place just like a hammer was designed for a nail, and a screwdriver for a screw. Pyramid Lake, Nevada is located approximately 40 miles outside of The City of Reno in the state’s northwestern region. But most people flock to Pyramid Lake because it's a premium fishery, home of the world record Lohanton … That environment has shaped the lake in such a way that the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout  (LCT) that inhabit the lake feed very close to shore in shallow water. My name is Matt. Throughout the years, I’ve always found great success at greater depths on my boat. test cable. If you want to get into using a downrigger and aren’t ready to spend a lot of money, the Scotty Depthmaster 1050 Manual Downrigger is a great value. For starters, this lake grows big cutthroat trout. At the beginning of each fishing season, the cutthroat focus up near the shore. First, providing trout and Cui-ui for the Native Paiute people, the Numu, for their daily survival; with the original giant Cutthroats weighing 40-60 pounds. Steep drop offs surround the lake plunging from 3-15 vertical feet as you move away from shore. Jigging can be very useful once you discover the schools of Tui Chub. CLICK HERE to download 2020-21 Fishing Guide Permit and Boat Charter Application; CLICK HERE to download the regulations book; Area near the Pyramid CLOSED TO PUBLIC. Then again from noon to 2 pm., and at sunset. Some of our guides … Each fly is hand-tied to a Mustad 2/0 hook with a 2/0 trailer. So I packed up the family and took them on a trip to Reno Nevada. Built with a deadly wobble, bleeding colors and a state-of-the-art hologram pattern, the Sierra Spoon tempts aggressive cutthroat crusing for a meal. He will joke and laugh and be determined to find fish and even better, teach my son how to cast heavy line on top of a 5 ft Take I80 east about 32 miles. Solid advice. I switched out the stock plugs for MinnKota Adapters. Pyramid Lake Nevada is home to some the big cutthroat trout, in it’s alkaline waters swim the Lahontan Cutthroat, the biggest cutthroat in the World. Some lures look sexy between 1-2 m.p.h. Pyramid Lake, Home of the World's largest Cutthroat Trout. This is an excellent lure for fishing stripers on the Cal Delta as well. Pyramid Lake Fisheries, 603 Sutcliffe Dr., Sutcliffe, Nevada 89510 Ph: 775-476-0500 Fax: 775-476-0558 The Walker Tournament Combo Pak is an excellent downrigger. This little trick has provoked some pretty good strikes when the bite falls off. It conjures images of massive Lahontan Cutthroat Trout I’ve caught over the years starting back in 1986. The first, is running Worden's Lures Flatfish. Recently the rains have muddied up certain beaches. Boaters can take to the warm, salty water for great skiing, wake boarding, paddle boarding or tubing. I think I got most of them. When the fish are sluggish and need a little something different to look at, I attach a squid skirt to the rear treble. I hope this short article gives you some useful tips and guidance for your next trip to Pyramid Lake. Try moving your ladder away from the drop off, or try not using the ladder at all and wading into the shallower water. It’s fully saltwater protected, so it’s ideally suited to withstand the rigors of offshore use. These spots include Popcorn Beach, Sandhole Beach, Blockhouse, Indianhead, and Spider Pt. My third rig is a total game changer! For any angler who has ever fished there, you know what I mean. A true Bucket List Fly Fishing Destination for sure. For one, it’s a brackish lake, with the water being about 1/6 the salinity of seawater. This comes in real handy when fishing with kids. The paint holds up well after multiple strikes. For example, beaches on the southern part of the lake have drop offs that are only a few feet from the edge of water and in only 1-2 feet of water. These have proven to bring in the slabs for me every time I run the lake trolling. Essentially making the drop very difficult, if not impossible, to reach with a fly cast from shore. Today’s ladders have lost some of the essence of what they once were, and in doing so have lost their intended purpose. I agree, winds at Pyramid ramp up quick. I bought two of the Cabela’s Keel Downrigger weights. The area around the Pyramid is closed to the public. 8. Swimming a worm over and through shallow grass is a mainstay in Florida, and this ploy can draw strikes anywhere in the country where bass lurk in similar cover. Troll these for deadly results on chinook salmon, rainbow trout and lake trout. And as always, please send me your feedback. We call these “follows” and they are very common at Pyramid Lake. Even apex predators are spooked by movement or figures outside of the water as that is their primary source of predation from humans and Pelicans. Fishing Survey. That way I only have to buy one type of plug for my trolling motor and downriggers. The rig consists of a fly with approximately 18-24 inch of trail behind my Sling Blade Dodger. Other gloves can damage and remove slime from the fish. Depending on exactly … I also use the pearl color to mix up the presentation. As I stated above, there are exceptions, and times where I will use a ladder at beaches where the drop off is close to shore. Remember, you will want to cast out and give your lure time to reach the bottom. Permits may now be securely purchased online. If you're going to be fishing from a ladder, be sure to invest in a good pair of neoprene waders. During the right time of the season or for those with patience, jigs could be the lure of choice. The lake is about fifteen miles long and eleven miles wide. Presidents, movie stars, and people who just want to catch fish go to Pyramid Lake for really large cutthroat trout. Whether you throw flies or lures, it is essential to get as close to the bottom as possible. Our guides have more experience fly fishing Pyramid than any other fly fishing guide service. Then fish those depths. Keeping an angler warm, dry, and most of all able to cast long distances to the drop off and closer hungry trout will increase the frequency of hooking a trout significantly. Jump forward to today, and ladders have become an item of luxury. The Paiute people called themselves “Numu,” or “The People.”  They are deeply grounded in their environment. Conversely, the middle part of the lake the drop off can be as far away from shore as 100 yards or more and in 6-8 feet of water. His “ can do” attitude under rough and less than optimal fish conditions made the trip. For one, casting at distance is inhibited. Maintaining this incredible fishery relies on proper Catch and Release practices for both shore and boat anglers. plus category rarely travels outside the waters in the temperature range of 52-56 degrees until the lake temps decrease. This model includes a two-piece, 4-foot arm, adjustable dual rod holders, swivel base and deck plate. There are some places where the drop-offs are right next to shore and ladders are not needed. Its humble beginnings were as milk crates that anglers would stand on to raise themselves up from wadding into deeper water, allowing them to cast easier and farther. Pyramid Lake Lodge is booking accommodations just a few weeks out, so if … If you have ever fished at Pyramid Lake before you know that it is a stark environment and a lake of that size looks out of place between the high bare mountains and bleached white Tufa rocks. Think about keeping any legal-size cutthroat trout caught that is bleeding a lot. Various articles show an average 58-60% mortality in cutthroat trout that are bleeding on release. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This company makes a great product. In this Tackle Tip Tuesday video, Carl Jocumsen customizes a spinnerbait from the package to make a bait he would use for Bassmaster Elite Series competition. They are available in 4, 6, 8, 10, and 15lb sizes. I use two Scotty electric downriggers. Pyramid Lake is great fishing! The larger fish in the 10 lb. Sierra Spoons are incredible when casting or trolled. Nets with fine mesh or rubber reduce the amount of slime removed while handling the fish. Single hooks work best. The slot limit for Pyramid Lake requires cutthroat trout under 17 inches and between 20 and 24 inches be immediately released. (with a few exceptions but I’ll get to those later) When ladders are used at these type of beaches fish are pushed away or spooked from feeding closer to shore. Click on any name for more detailed information. From the local fishing report to tips and tricks from our staff, sign up to recieve the latest information from the Reno Fly Shop. Also, Pyramid Lake became famous after its photo was used for Ipad wallpaper. Be sure to read my other articles on getting your Boat Trailer Trip-Ready and my Two Best Tools for Scouting New Lakes. PYRAMID LAKE: Breaking news. It has built-in swivels. I love the bleeding frog (007) paint. Changing up your speeds will draw strikes. Lyman Lures have caught a lot of fish for over 70 years, making this unique fishing lure a staple in my tackle box. I was reluctant to part with my Walkers, but Cabela’s was running a killer deal, and I couldn’t pass them up. The shoreline is ruffly 99 percent treeless. Turn left onto Nevada 447 and drive 16 miles to Nixon. Just high enough to fill your waders or knock you off your feet. Pyramid Lake Lodge is located in northwestern Nevada. In extreme cold, I will use a ladder, but I may place it back from the drop off a few feet to lower my profile from above the water. When fishing from shore, all I can say is SPOONS, SPOONS, AND SPOONS. Is there an inappropriate time to use a ladder? Count down a few seconds and allow the line to settle, then retrieve the lure keeping it close to the bottom. 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