South Lake Tahoe, CA Fishing: Crystal Clear Trout Fishing Of All Colors

South Lake Tahoe, CA trout fishing offers various types of lake fishing, including crystal clear trout fishing of all colors.

South Lake Tahoe, CA Fishing: Crystal Clear Trout Fishing Of All Colors
South Lake Tahoe, CA Fishing: Crystal Clear Trout Fishing Of All Colors
Team Guidesly

December 23, 2021, 8 min read

Updated on May 20, 2022

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South Lake Tahoe is a resort city in California nestled on Lake Tahoe, along the mountains of Sierra Nevada. It's the most populous city located in El Dorado County. South Lake Tahoe extends for about 8 kilometers west-southwest along the Lake Tahoe Boulevard, or the U.S. Route 50. From ski resorts, beaches, picnic areas to restaurants, bars, and casinos, South Lake Tahoe has a little bit of everything, with its two different sides merging in the center. 

The city's eastern end is primarily known for its tourism. It has restaurants, hotels, and T-shirt shops at Stateline, Nevada, parallel to the casinos just across the state line. The western portion of the city, on the other hand, is home to the majority of the city's residential areas. These properties cluster around "The Y"—an X-shaped intersection of State Route 89, U.S. 50, and the continuing end of the Lake Tahoe Boulevard right after it loses its designation on the federal highway. This is where you will also see the Vikingsholm, a 1929 Nordic-style mansion in Emerald Bay State Park.

Compared to other lake towns, South Lake Tahoe has a lot more traffic, establishments, and attractions that offer a lot of diversity. The city provides varieties of ethnic cuisines and gourmet fare influenced by Lake Tahoe's Pacific Coast point. Strolling around the city's stores will lead you to explore its trendy little boutiques, and sports outfitters nestled side by side. Whether you are a sport, beach, or a black-tie person, the city provides you opportunities for all. You may participate in the city's arts and crafts fairs, sporting events, and farmers' markets during the daytime. South Lake Tahoe's nightlife scene does not disappoint, as it offers music extravaganzas, concerts, and performing artists that are sure to excite your night. 

The South Lake Tahoe never withers, and there is always a lot going on in here. It's a great place to go on a vacation, with its upscale resorts, accommodating campgrounds, and even vacation rentals that allow you to create your own home away from home. But the city never came to be if it weren't for the present people's respect for the ancestors and forces that built the city to what it is now. 

Many ancient sites, such as Cave Rock, are kept and treated with the highest care and respect, as with the Washoe Indians who have lived in the city's territory for centuries. The 64,000-acre Desolation Wilderness is also accessible for hikers and campers to explore, with its mountain lakes, old-growth forests, boulders, and granite peaks that speak of the city's history with nature.

South Lake Tahoe Fishing

Along with South Lake Tahoe’s beautiful nature trails, the city also prides itself on its water bodies that surround the Lake Tahoe Shoreline, which is preserved with respect and care even when used at the present time. Lake Tahoe is one of the most beautiful and largest lakes in the United States, and you can never get enough with its breathtaking crystal clear beauty and fantastic angling opportunities. 

Lake Tahoe’s bright blue freshwater is a magnet to all freshwater fishing enthusiasts out there. It provides some of the best inshore fishing in the country, and whether what month you may go fishing out here. You’ll be sure to have an excellent time because catches stay great all year round. The lake’s cold waters are an angler’s dream for fish species that dwell just beneath the surface. Still, whether you may do offshore fishing, pier fishing, or surfcasting, the lake is never one to disappoint and will always give you more than satisfactory results. 

The lake covers about 191 square miles, so it is a no-brainer that the water body hosts a lot of incredible fishing opportunities. Its over 60 tributaries also provide a home to numerous fish species and wildlife that are sure to make your fishing dreams a dream come true. The lake always has something to offer for every kind of angler, but it’s heaven for freshwater anglers in particular. You can just cast a line here and effortlessly hook something most of the time, with the lake thriving on populations of mackinaw trout or lake trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, and kokanee salmon, which are the most popular catches here. 

You may access the lake through many entry points and hot spots. Starting with Emerald Bay, dubbed as one of the most beautiful places in the world. Its crystal clear waters are the perfect spots to fish for mackinaw trout, rainbow trout, and brown trout. Next is Donner Lake, a deep water body nestled in the northern part of Lake Tahoe. Many anglers also favor this spot because of its reputation for holding almost all of the lake’s fish species here—including monster-sized macks. 

The Truckee River, which runs off Lake Tahoe, is also a great place to fish. This is where the river meets the lake, and many fly fishers flock here to take advantage of the excellent trout fishing. On the other hand, the Zephyr Cove is the best place to fish the lake all year. The best technique to use here would be to troll on a windy day, and you will be guaranteed a high catch rate that will exceed your expectations. 

If you want to have a more relaxing angling experience, then the middle of the lake is the place to be. It’s a great place to catch great-sized mackinaw trout species, as well as kokanee salmon, especially during late summer.

Popular fishing types used herein the lake are shore, charter, and kayak fishing. Popular fishing techniques used are trolling, fly fishing, drift fishing, and jigging. While the high and seemingly inaccessible character of Lake Tahoe makes shore fishing difficult, it is possible on the eastern side of the lake, which many shore fishers prefer. You may check Cave Rock, Kings Beach, and the Tahoe Shores if you plan to shore fishing. The southern end of the lake is also one of the decent places for shore fishing.

Charter fishing emerges as the most popular fishing type used herein the lake because of the size of the water body. If you are a first-time angler in the area, it’s best to take a Charter out on the lake because it is too big to head out on your own. You can find many great charter guides in South Lake Tahoe to help you locate fish, figure out the best times, and provide you with the essential equipment to go out into the water.

On the other hand, Kayak fishing is ideal for sunrise in the early morning. It is also recommended if you want to spend the whole day out on the lake. By jigging or trolling in the water, kayak fishing can be a great and productive way to fish for kokanee salmon and other trout species. 

 

Top 10 Fish Species in South Lake Tahoe, CA

The top 10 fish species to catch in South Lake Tahoe, CA are mackinaw trout or lake trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee salmon, largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, mountain whitefish, goldfish, and crawfish.

Seasonal Fishing

Fishing in South Lake Tahoe generally provides many fishing opportunities, especially in Lake Tahoe itself, all year round. Still, if you want to have a guaranteed great catch, it’s best to test the waters in late spring and summer. Jigging and trolling for kokanee salmon is great from July to October. Shore fishing in the lake is best during the warmest months of the year, from May to September, when rainbow trout, brown trout, largemouth bass, crappie, and some mackinaw trout species are in abundance and up for grabs.

If you want to solely target mackinaw trout species while fishing, the best time to go would be from March to June, where you can hook jumbo-sized ones. The biggest mackinaw trout of California was caught on Lake Tahoe in 1974.

Spend Your Days With The Never-Ending Fun Opportunities In South Lake Tahoe, CA

There is always a little bit of everything for everyone in South Lake Tahoe. Whether you visit the city in summer or winter, there’s never a wrong time to go here since you won’t ever worry about what to do next because the city prides itself on its countless opportunities for adventure.

1. Parasail Your Way in Lake Tahoe

If you’re looking for something thrilling to jumpstart your South Lake Tahoe adventure, then parasailing over Lake Tahoe would be the perfect thing to do. It might not be very comforting at first, but you’ll be surprised at how relaxing and refreshing the whole experience is once you leisurely glide over the lake as you look down at the treetops—safely and securely at that.

2. Go Hiking

Emerald Bay, which is just twelve miles north of South Lake Tahoe, provides some of the best hiking trails in the region, as well as some of the most beautiful sceneries in the world. If you want to go hiking, then it’s best to check out the Cascade Falls Trail, a 40-minute walk trail that’s sure to leave your mouth hanging and your heart full.

3. Rent A Kayak

What better way to fully enjoy your adventure than going out into the waters of Lake Tahoe? Whether to fish or simply to hang around the lake, a kayak would be your best bet to feel one with the magnificent Big Blue.

4. A Blast From The Past

The city would not be this alive in its present life if it weren’t for its rich history. Dive into South Lake Tahoe’s story and culture by visiting the gorgeous historical sites such as the Vikingsholm in Emerald Bay, a summer castle completed around 1929, and the Gatekeeper’s Museum, home to the city’s beautiful history and tourism with a beautiful open area that’s perfect for strolls.

You’ll never run out of things to do while visiting South Lake Tahoe. From its daytime to nightlife opportunities for adventure, you’ll be sure to fall in love with all things South Lake Tahoe, one way or another.

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