A reminder that Pyramid Lake trout season closes June 30
By Don Quilici
This is a reminder that Pyramid Lake, which is located about 30 miles north of Reno-Sparks, will close on Thursday, June 30 to 2010-2011 fishing for Lahontan cutthroat trout.
That large, desert lake has a three-month trout closure, each year, from July 01 to September 30. On October 1, it will re-open for the 2011-2012 cutthroat trout fishing season.
General information:
- You will be on the Pyramid Lake Paiute Indian Reservation.
- You will need a tribal fishing permit (and boat permit if fishing from a boat) which can be obtained at a number of different locations in this general area.
- You do not need a Nevada fishing license or a Nevada Trout Stamp.
- Current fishing rules and regulations:
- You must fish with artificial flies or lures only.
- Barbless hooks only (fishermen can crimp their barbs back to comply with the barbless regulations).
- Fishing is prohibited within 500 feet of all docks.
- All boats using Pyramid Lake must have proof of current registration.
- Vehicle access is prohibited on the east side of the lake due to a rash of recent vandalism in that area.
Lahontan cutthroat trout:
- The limit is two per day: Two fish 17-20 inches in length or one fish 17-20 inches in length and one fish over 24 inches in length.
- The length is measured from the tip of the nose to the fork of the tail.
- Cutthroat trout that are less than 17 inches in length or between 20-24 inches must be released unharmed. These are known as “Shakers.”
- Cutthroat 17-20 inches in length or over 24 inches are known as “Keepers.”
Sacramento Perch:
- The limit is 10 per day. Season open year-round.
Cui-ui:
It is an endangered lake sucker found only in Pyramid Lake and nowhere else in the world. You are not permitted to keep any Cui-ui that you catch. They must be released, unharmed, back into the water immediately.
Commercial Fishing Charter Guides:
- Jim Hartfiel of Just Rite Fishing at (775) 575-7850.
- George Molino of Cutthroat Charters at (775) 476-0555.
- Sam Mendes of Eagle Eye Fishing Charters at (775) 574-0900.
- Fishing information:
- Call any of the above fishing charters or:
- Crosby’s Lodge at Sutcliffe at (775) 476-0400.
- Pyramid Lake Marina and RV Park at (775) 476-1156.
Special Note:
The largest Lahontan cutthroat trout ever caught was caught at Pyramid Lake. It weighed an astonishing 41 pounds, it was caught way back in 1925 and it is not only the Pyramid Lake record but also the current world record for a Lahontan cutthroat trout.