Fishing Lake Tahoe, NV

Boat and bank fishing

Last updated on February 8, 2026.

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Lake Tahoe, NV

Popular Fish Species

Lake Trout

Year round, fishing for lake trout in Lake Thaoe is often good, as the fish are plentiful. These large trout can be caught from as shallow as 15 to 30 feet in Spring and Fall, to extremely deep during Summer and Winter. It is a monumental help to use fish finders, or other electronics to help in locating these roaming schools of lake trout. They feed on baitfish, so jigs rigged to imitate their prey often work well straight down under the boat. Trolling with numerous set-ups can also produce good catches.

Brown Trout

Currently, fishing for brown trout here is fairly good, occasionally delivering quality fish. These hearty fighters migrate around the lake in search of crayfish and baitfish and comfortable water temperatures, preferably in the 50 to 62 degree range. In spring brown trout, along with the baitfish, move to the shallows which warms first. As the days get warmer in summer they move deeper, again following schools of bait. As Fall and Winter arrive, browns tend to stay in deeper water. Nightcrawlers are always a good bait for brown trout. In-line spinners, jerkbaits, bait-colored crankbaits and small spoons are other options. Experiment with depth and retrieve speed.

Kokanee Salmon

Kokanee salmon, a landlocked form of sockeye salmon, can be found in Lake Tahoe. These fish are prized for their tasty filets. They are not the same as the ocean-run salmon species, but they still provide an exciting angling experience. Fish for them around structure with distinct drop-offs and depth changes. Typically kokanee average one to two pounds. They are plankton feeders and very sensitive to water temperature. They school at depths which maintain ideal temperatures. Once this depth is identified, schools can be found, where they are easily caught. Use small lures trolled at the appropriate depth. The can also be caught using corn, but the main way they are caught is using flashy lures which they attack when the lure intrudes their space. Kokanee salmon are known for their hard-fighting nature, making them a sought-after catch among anglers.

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