I love the bleeding frog (007) paint. Anglers who don’t think of shallow crankbaits as a good choice for cold water are mistaken. 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. Recently the rains have muddied up certain beaches. Fishing from ladders has become synonymous with Pyramid Lake. For any angler who has ever fished there, you know what I mean. So the next time you’re fishing the lake and fishing may be slow ask yourself if the fish are seeing you before you are seeing them, and make adjustments if necessary. (Please see Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Regulations before fishing the lake, as it is on a Native American Reservation and NV fishing laws do not apply). Then again from noon to 2 pm., and at sunset. Pyramid Lake is entirely within the boundaries of the Pyramid Lake Piute Indian Reservation. Lake Information. The fish will push through. Come the prespawn, the stalky remains play big for staging bass. Rangers routinely check the boat and shore anglers and ask anglers to show them lures and flies being used. At 25 miles long and 4-11 miles wide, this is a very large lake that can be quite intimidating to the first time fisherman, however it can be fished similar to many other small stillwaters. Solid advice. At shallow beaches, such as Howard Bay, Dago Bay or the South Nets the drop-offs can be more than 200 feet offshore. At Pyramid Lake Guide Service we offer a complete fly fishing guide service for Pyramid Lake, including guides for BOTH Boat and Shoreline Fly Fishing. Pyramid Cutthroat Outfitters is a Fly fishing guiding service on the beautiful and mysterious Pyramid Lake Nevada and home to the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout. I’ve been fortunate enough to use Walker downriggers also. The lake will be opening on November 2nd for the season. Jump forward to today, and ladders have become an item of luxury. 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. Each fly is hand-tied to a Mustad 2/0 hook with a 2/0 trailer. Single hooks work best. 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. They follow and stalk food sometimes through great distances. 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. I switched out the stock plugs for MinnKota Adapters. These drop-offs provide travel lanes for cruising trout. His “ can do” attitude under rough and less than optimal fish conditions made the trip. Others look downright tasty and provoke killer strikes at variable speeds up to 3 m.p.h.! Pyramid has been fishing incredibly. My experience has shown the best times are include one hour before, to an hour after sunrise. Boaters can take to the warm, salty water for great skiing, wake boarding, paddle boarding or tubing. Rangers routinely check the boat and shore anglers and ask anglers to show them lures and flies being used. They are available in 4, 6, 8, 10, and 15lb sizes. Utilize multiple sizes of lures such as Flatfish and Stingkings. Daily fishing permits are … If there is an appropriate time to use a ladder. My third rig is a total game changer! Pyramid Lake, Nevada. I hope to offer some great information about this fishery including tips geared around trolling and spin fishing from shore that will make your next trip to this incredible fishery more successful. The lakes deepest point sits at about 350 feet. Cutthroat Fishing Tips: Pyramid Lake, Nevada. Be sure to read my other articles on getting your Boat Trailer Trip-Ready and my Two Best Tools for Scouting New Lakes. This area is rich with incredible sights and history. It has built-in swivels. I’ve battled some waves getting back to the launch more than I care for. It’s fully saltwater protected, so it’s ideally suited to withstand the rigors of offshore use. From there, you can continue north on 447 to the west shore, or turn left on 446 to access Pyramid Lake's east side. Presented below are Tour Companies that offer guided fishing trips and/or fishing equipment rentals for lakes and rivers in and near Pyramid Lake. At the beginning of each fishing season, the cutthroat focus up near the shore. 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. The Kingfisher is a manual downrigger with a fast 2-ft.-per-turn retrieval rate and a smooth one- hand operation clutch system for a controlled descent. If you're going to be fishing from a ladder, be sure to invest in a good pair of neoprene waders. But as always my mind is focused more on how I can minimize the LCT’s ability to see me or my clients. Pyramid Lake Lodge is located in northwestern Nevada. Pyramid Lake is located in a remote desert area thirty-five miles northeast of Reno, Nevada. The rig consists of a fly with approximately 18-24 inch of trail behind my Sling Blade Dodger. Permits may now be securely purchased online. To maximize the feel of the catch, we use top of the line fishing rods and reels. There are several places in the Reno valley to find the latest tackle and gear that works out at Pyramid Lake. Another great store to find tackle is Scheel’s. Pyramid Lake Tribal Code and Regulations can be found HERE. test cable. The Paiute people called themselves “Numu,” or “The People.”  They are deeply grounded in their environment. Trout like to congregate near rock walls early in the season, but move to the bays as the water temps fall off. Many anglers follow solunar charts to determine fish activity. I'm passionate about fishing and an avid multispecies angler. They will write citations to anglers who are not using barbless hooks. My name is Matt. Turn left onto Nevada 447 and drive 16 miles to Nixon. From the local fishing report to tips and tricks from our staff, sign up to recieve the latest information from the Reno Fly Shop. 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. This company makes a great product. When the fish are thick in numbers in shallow waters, I like to flat line troll. I bought two of the Cabela’s Keel Downrigger weights. Let row B represent hours per fish caught fishing from the shore, and let row A represent hours per fish caught using a boat. I’ve also seen some anglers casting small swimbaits. Famous beaches on the west side of the lake as you travel north on Highway 445 include Popcorn, Sandhole, Rawhide Lookout, Blockhouse, Separator, Pelican, Wino, Indianhead, South Nets, North Nets, Windless, Spider Pt., Shotdog, Warrior, Nine-mile, the Willows and Monument Rock. 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. Again, bleeding frog color for spoons. People should also be aware the wind can pick up in 15 minutes make the lake a deadly place! Other gloves can damage and remove slime from the fish. I prefer trolling. The slot limit for Pyramid Lake requires cutthroat trout under 17 inches and between 20 and 24 inches be immediately released. The Tournament Combo Pak is outfitted with a high-torque 12-volt motor that's capable of 200 feet/minute speeds with a 10-pound weight. Troll these for deadly results on chinook salmon, rainbow trout and lake trout. Regulations HandBook (Adobe Acrobat Reader Required. Thanks for the comment! Then fish those depths. I like the bleeding frog colors the best. Before these two opened up, I relied on the guys at Mark Four & Strike on Kietzke Lane. But I have seen many instances as an angler and a guide where ladders have decreased fishing success, not just for an individual, but for an entire section of beach. Try to keep your fish in the water after netting. The model I use is the Scotty Electric 1116 Propack Quick Draw. Surrounded by over 125,000 acres of Pyramid Lake and a vast variety of recreational activities, both on and off the lake. 2. 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. Fish Species: Common Carp, Sacramento Perch, Tui Chub, Lahontan Cutthroat, Cutbow Trout. With padded chairs, extra rod racks and cup holders. Some of our guides … Our guides have more experience fly fishing Pyramid than any other fly fishing guide service. Changing up your speeds will draw strikes. Year after year this color flat out produces the biggest fish. I rig up a Frisky Jenny Flies Hand-Tied Fly behind a dodger or a flasher. Sierra Spoons are incredible when casting or trolled. For thousands of years Pyramid Lake has been an excellent fishery. On the east side of the lake like around the pyramids, I try to stay close to the shoreline where the bays drop off quickly. I like the Thomas Lures Cyclone Spoons. I fall back to darker lures as the sun drops in the late afternoon. Enjoy! Pyramid Lake Fisheries, 603 Sutcliffe Dr., Sutcliffe, Nevada 89510 Ph: 775-476-0500 Fax: 775-476-0558 My brothers and I meet up with Captain Joe Mendes and mate Rick and they took us out to "Hells Kitchen" for the best fishing trip ever. The area around the Pyramid is closed to the public. (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. Most of these spots have a drop-off a short distance from the shore. Pyramid draws anglers from all over the world searching for the Giant Cutthroat Trout reaching over 20 pounds that call this lake home. 1. On the south end of the lake, the favorite fishing spots include Howard Bay and Dago Bay. As one of the last remnants of historic Lake Lahontan, Pyramid Lake holds the world record for largest trout ever caught on hook and line at 41 lbs. I start with darker lures, and use brighter colors as the day gets bright. This will cost you some big $$. Also, trout don’t always feed the first time they see a prey item (fly). Creel surveys show from 1992 to 2010, ten or more fish are released to a single fish kept. 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. The lake offers anglers miles upon miles of easily accessible waters to fish. The lake is enclosed within the boundaries of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribes’ Reservation. File size 27 MB ) Pyramid Lake Permit Pricing. With this incredible precipitation we have been receiving Pyramid has become one of the few places around the area that’s still fishable. Other popular lures for shore fishing include daredevle’s, and lead head marabou jigs. The Lake reaches 340 feet at its deepest, but it does so very quickly. Also, Pyramid Lake became famous after its photo was used for Ipad wallpaper. Within the pages of our website, you will find an abundance of information including our Guide Service, DIY trips, gear you need, places to stay, how to get licenses … Creel surveys show from 1992 to 2010, ten or more fish are released to a single fish kept.Remember to use barbless hooks. So unless you’re stuck in the snow, the reasons to not fish the lake are dwindling. Being high up on a ladder close to drop offs can make that decision very easy for trout as they will flee from movement above water. But it has a time and a place just like a hammer was designed for a nail, and a screwdriver for a screw. These have proven to bring in the slabs for me every time I run the lake trolling. I purchased a few of their plugs years ago and have been using them ever since. Pyramid Lake, Home of the World's largest Cutthroat Trout. So I packed up the family and took them on a trip to Reno Nevada. If a fish is deep-hooked, have a pair of long nose pliers readily accessible to remove your lure or fly. They’re located just off I-80 in Sparks. At times where waves are crashing on shore, fish are not able to see out of the water as well so I will use a ladder to keep from getting myself or my clients pounded by waves. Jigging can be very useful once you discover the schools of Tui Chub. Lastly, any wind or weather can create waves that reach a few feet high. For Online Permits – Click Here A Nevada fishing license is not needed, however a permit must be purchased for fishing or boating on the lake. Pyramid Lake, Nevada is home to the World's largest cutthroat trout and of course, Pyramid Fly Co. Be aware and obey the regulation that prohibits boat fishing within 250 feet of swimmers/shore fisherman. I understand that what I’m saying may not be popular in certain circles. Pro angler Andrew Upshaw breaks down the difference between lure colors chrome and white, and he shares the times when each works best. So why use a ladder? 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. 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. The shoreline is ruffly 99 percent treeless. Take the Wadsworth/Pyramid Lake exit #43 and follow the signs into town. For floating lines and indicator fishing use a variety of midges, such as a Snowcone, and/or a balanced leech in black, white, or olive. Pyramid Lake is the ancestral home of the Pyramid Lake Paiute People of the Northern Nevada region. The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe has increased daily fishing fees to $24 for adults, $12 for youth. I’m not saying its a cure all but i wouldn’t be shocked if your fishing experience shows improvement. No, I mean huge world class trout. Two, winter water temperatures quickly steal any heat that you’ve gained from sitting in your heated truck. What locals call the Pyramid Highway (Nevada 445) starts at I80 in Sparks, near Victorian Square. And as always, please send me your feedback. Lastly, there are times that I will also use them for comfort purposes or when physical assistance is needed for a client with impairment to mobility or health. A trophy shot should take less than 30 seconds. Keep a safe distance!! Just high enough to fill your waders or knock you off your feet. The Walker Downriggers Kingfisher Manual Downrigger is an affordable entry into downriggers. Pyramid Lake is located on the Paiute Indian Reservation in 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. Permit Vendors. For this reason, shore anglers can be just as, if not more successful than boat anglers. When trolling Pyramid Lake, I like to follow the breaks on the west side of the lake. A place to share my love for the outdoors and everything to do with it. The mission of Pyramid Lake Fisheries is to operate and maintain fishery facilities at Pyramid Lake and the lower Truckee River for the purpose of enhancing Cui-ui and Lahontan Cutthroat Trout populations, while creating a balance within natural resources management actions, which reflects the social, cultural, economic, and natural resource values of the Pyramid Lake Paiute … During the right time of the season or for those with patience, jigs could be the lure of choice. Essentially making the drop very difficult, if not impossible, to reach with a fly cast from shore. Maintaining this incredible fishery relies on proper Catch and Release practices for both shore and boat anglers. Simplified Senko Solutions You Need to Know, Book Review: Pier Fishing In California, 2nd Edition, Product Review: Groove Life Silicone Ring, Product Review: Standard Horizon HX870 Floating Handheld VHF Radio, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Museum and Visitors Center, Scotty Depthmaster 1050 Manual Downrigger, Targeting Bass: Effective Frog Lures and Tips, Small crankbaits can heat up cold water fishing, Tackle Tip Tuesday: Jocumsen customizes a spinnerbait, The Essential Trout Lure: The Marabou Jig, Why Panguitch Lake Should Be Your Next Fishing Adventure. For one, it’s a brackish lake, with the water being about 1/6 the salinity of seawater. Capture trophy shots has been good, with not too bad of crowds- weekends busier. Of 52-56 degrees until the Lake offers anglers miles upon miles of easily accessible waters to fish tie floating decoys! Both applications will only leave the user frustrated and the goal most often unaccomplished tools Scouting! 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