Pyramid Lake stands as one of the world’s most distinctive fishing destinations, featuring the ancient Lahontan Cutthroat trout within a picturesque high desert setting.

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Embark on an angler’s dream adventure with Got Fishing’s Pyramid Lake Experience, where the world’s most unique fishing opportunity awaits

We’ve meticulously crafted a one-of-a-kind adventure for anglers seeking the pinnacle of fishing excitement. Our exclusive partnership with the renowned Reno Fly Shop ensures you’ll receive top-notch guiding services at Pyramid Lake, home to the magnificent Lahontan Cutthroat trout. To enhance your stay, we’ve collaborated with The Jesse, a charming boutique hotel nestled in the heart of downtown Reno, providing you with exceptional lodging. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a novice looking for an extraordinary fishing journey, our packages offer flexibility with options for 2, 3, or 4 days of exploration. Each day, you’ll embark on a short drive from The Jesse to Pyramid Lake, the only place on Earth where you can cast your line for the elusive Lahontan Cutthroat. Join us for an adventure like no other, where every cast holds the promise of an unforgettable experience.

Step into The Jesse, your gateway to an unforgettable stay. This boutique hotel features six meticulously designed rooms, each offering a serene haven for your stay. Every room has been lovingly restored, showcasing custom-made bed frames, exposed brick walls, polished hardwood floors, beautifully tiled bathrooms, and captivating original artwork, as well as complimentary wireless internet access. These carefully crafted spaces are tailored for travelers seeking an immersive experience within the vibrant heart of downtown Reno.

Each room comes equipped with complimentary Forged Coffee Roasting coffee bags, complete with instructions for single-serve convenience. If you’d like additional coffee bags, you may request them from the baristas or housekeeping staff. Standard check-out time is 11:00am, but if you’d like to extend your stay, you may contact the front desk to request a late check-out. Complimentary personal amenities like toothbrushes, toothpaste, eye masks, slippers, and white noise machines are also available upon request.

Estella

Sunday – Thursday 5pm – 9pm | Friday – Saturday 5pm – 10pm

Within The Jesse, you’ll discover Estella: a vibrant and contemporary Mexican cantina. This culinary haven is dedicated to crafting authentic street tacos, an array of delectable side dishes, and an exquisite selection of mezcal and mezcal-inspired cocktails. Estella also caters to those with dietary preferences and sensitivities, offering a delightful range of vegetarian and gluten-free options for a truly inclusive dining experience.

Forged Coffee

Open Daily 8am – 3pm

You may also enjoy Forged Coffee – located inside The Jesse, they take pride in providing locally roasted coffee and delectable locally crafted pie!

The Bar

Sunday – Thursday 4pm – 9pm | Friday – Saturday 4pm – 10pm

The Bar at The Jesse is a cozy haven, exuding warmth and comfort, where you can unwind and savor the moment. Their carefully curated selection includes a variety of seasonal craft cocktails, featuring handcrafted creations that highlight the best of each season, along with an assortment of well-chosen beers and wines to suit every palate.

Pyramid Lake, nestled in the heart of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Reservation, is a revered destination for anglers seeking the legendary Lahontan Cutthroat Trout. These magnificent trout are known to reach jaw-dropping sizes, sometimes up to twenty pounds!

Pyramid Lake offers a unique fishing experience, with its sandy shorelines and desert landscapes. However, the success of your fishing expedition here greatly depends on the weather conditions and the time of year. Interestingly, the lake’s vast expanse can feature entirely different weather patterns from its southern end to the north. Pyramid Lake permits angling from October 1st to June 30th, allowing enthusiasts to explore its beauty and test their skills.

To enhance your chances of success at Pyramid Lake, anglers often employ two main techniques:

Stripping Sinking Lines

Shooting heads allow anglers to present their flies as deep as 30-40 feet if needed. These lines keep the flies just above the lake bottom, reducing the risk of snagging on rocks or vegetation. A common leader used for stripping is 10-15lb fluorocarbon with a tag system and a total length of no more than 8 feet.

Indicator Fishing

When using an indicator rig, a 6-8wt rod is necessary to handle the challenging wind conditions. A popular choice among anglers is a 6wt switch rod. This setup allows for effective fishing of deep nymph rigs off ledges. If a switch rod isn’t available, any 6-8wt single-handed rod can suffice. The leader setup typically consists of 8-10lb fluorocarbon with a total length of 12 feet. The indicator helps suspend sinking flies at a predetermined depth above the lake bottom, making it an effective technique for Pyramid Lake’s deep ledges and drop-offs.

Seasons

The Pyramid Lake fishing season can be divided into three distinct sub-seasons, each offering its own challenges and rewards.

Fall

During the fall months of October and November, Lahontan Cutthroat Trout are on the hunt, chasing down Tui Chub and feasting on these baitfish. The water is still relatively warm at this time, and the trout tend to suspend in depths ranging from 15 to 40 feet. To maximize your success during this season, it’s crucial to present a moving fly at the right depth. Stripping setups with large baitfish patterns are highly effective, especially when baitfish occasionally surface, revealing the location of hungry fish.

Winter

As winter sets in, typically from November to February, the water temperatures drop, and the fish become more lethargic. They cruise the ledges in search of easy meals. This is when the indicator rig becomes the preferred method for fishing. While the fishing may be slower during this time, it’s not uncommon to encounter Lahontan Cutthroat in the 5 to 20-pound range. Patience is key during the winter season, as grabs may be sporadic, but perseverance can lead to rewarding catches.

Spring

With the arrival of spring in March and April, Lahontan Cutthroat Trout start to move into shallow areas, often in search of cold water inflows. March also marks the beginning of their spawn season, leading to the formation of large pods and schools of fish. During this period, they shift their focus from larger streamers or leeches to chironomids and other aquatic insects. Indicator fishing proves to be the most productive technique, and it’s worth noting that spring can be one of the busiest seasons at Pyramid Lake, as anglers gather to witness the brightly colored Lahontan Cutthroats cruising the turquoise shallows.

Early Summer

Early summer, spanning May to June, is the final opportunity before the season closes on June 30th. During this period, Lahontan Cutthroat Trout return to feeding on Tui Chub minnows as the water temperatures continue to rise. To reach these deep-dwelling fish, anglers often rely on shooting heads with fast sinking rates. These lines enable baitfish patterns to reach depths of 15 to 40 feet quickly. Lahontans grow in size and continue to provide exciting fishing opportunities, making early summer a local favorite.

If you’re flying into Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) (1), you’ll want to rent a car and make your way to The Jesse Hotel (2) in downtown Reno, which is a quick 12-minute drive away. From there, you’ll be able to relax and unwind for the evening before starting your Lahontan-fishing journey!

On the days that you’re on the water, you’ll drive approximately 45-minutes to a pre-determined meeting spot (3) near Pyramid Lake to meet your guide(s) and start your day! After a full day on the water, drive back to the Jesse for dinner and drinks.

LEGEND

(1) Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO)

(2) The Jesse Hotel

(3) Approximate Meeting Spot


Weather on Pyramid Lake can be unpredictable and we recommend thoughtfully packing a layering system. A comprehensive gear list will be provided upon booking, but we suggest your bring:

  • Layers for under waders
  • Waders
  • Wading boots
  • Polarized sunglasses
  • Hat
  • Gore-tex rain jacket
  • Sunscreen
  • Sinking, shooting head, and floating lines
  • 6wt and/or 8wt rods and reels
  • Strike indicators
  • Pyramid Lake flies

TRIP INCLUDES

  • Lodging at The Jesse
  • Lended Equipment (if desired): Waders, boots, rods, and reels
  • Highly experienced and friendly guides
  • Waterside Lunch (prepared by guides)

DOES NOT INCLUDE

  • Airfare
  • Fishing License
  • Shuttle/Car Rental
  • Breakfast, Dinner, or Alcoholic Beverages
  • Suggested Gratuity for Guides

Contact our team for more information.

  • 3 Night / 2 Day
  • 4 Night / 3 Day

ADVENTURE AWAITS

If you’re interested in talking to a consultant or booking this adventure, please complete this form.