Lake Tahoe: Breathtaking scenery, awesome weather, fabulous fishing, 300+ days of glorious sunshine. What a great place to enjoy all fishing adventures! Grab your rod, reel, bait, sunscreen, hat, and enthusiasm, follow me to the best fishing spots in the Lake Tahoe area.
Fishing is permitted anywhere in the Lake Tahoe district with either a California or Nevada fishing license. You can apply for these on-line. No license is required for those under sixteen years of age. But before we venture out, here are a few fishing tips, I learned from a Lake Tahoe resident many years ago.
JIGGING
If you are hoping for a little activity, jigging' may be your style. Work your rod in repeated up and down jigging motions. With a medium action rod this should see you being reasonably successful. Grab a 3 -4 ounce weighted jig, bait with a minnow and get ready for some fun.
TOPLINING
This is the most challenging way to fish the lake, but well worth the effort. Use a lure, attach this to a 6 pound line, release approximately 150-200 of the line and allow this to trail at the stern of the boat. A great number of ten pounders are caught this way, be careful not to break the line.
BOCA RESERVE
Try troll fishing on the lovely tranquil lake, 2 miles north of the Boca exit on Stampede Dam Rd. Shore fishing is rewarding here within the early morning and late afternoon; troll the rocky sections using inflated night crawlers when seeking trout, salmon eggs for rainbows, and flashers for Kokanee salmon. Fly fishing is great in this area. I usually prefer a flasher/worm combination, and fish around the inlet for more success.
DAVIS LAKE
Deemed as one of California's top trophy trout lakes, Davis lake will delight every angler. The waters are known to be extremely nutrient rich and filled to the brim with an abundance of insect life, such as the blood-midges and damsel-fly which certainly please the trophy size rainbow trout.
SUGAR PINE POINT STATE PARK
Fish the serene, forested promontory of sugar pine state park, located on the western side of beautiful Lake Tahoe. For the angler who prefers a deep line, why not try your luck trolling for Mackinaw (lake trout) along the 300 feet deep, underwater ledges of Lake Tahoe. There's great top lining to be had here as well.
CAPLES LAKE
A mere 60 miles east of Jackson, south of Lake Tahoe, at a stunning 7,950 feet elevation, you will find the breathtaking Caples Lake which offers over 600 surface areas of glorious mountain water. Boating is permitted and comes with a 5mph restriction. Trout is rather limited but the abundance of quality rainbow, brown, cutthroat trout, and brook, is excellent. A beautiful scenic area, for some very tranquil moments.
DONNER LAKE
A mere two miles west of Truckee, Donner Lake is all of 7.5 exquisite acres of alpine shores, and crystal clear aquamarine waters. With an excellent supply of rainbow trout, browns, and kokaneee salmon, you certainly won't have too much of task landing a prize gem. Use night crawlers, salmon eggs, or power-bait at the western end of beach, this is the most productive area.
Top-liners love it here, and find that minnow lures are the most effective for shallow water use. If you are planning on trolling, try for Mackinaw using minnow imitation lures and jigs. With 5,969 feet of elevation, it certainly puts you where the views are superb. Lake Tahoe fun for the entire family!
This guide to bait and switch is brought to you by Shenni Bubb
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