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Truckee River (Nevada) Fishing Guide
Nevada
The Truckee River in Nevada, about 40 miles from the California line through Reno to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation, with rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout, mountain whitefish, and largemouth bass in the lower sections.
Part of the Truckee River.
Photo: Paul Hurtado via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to the Truckee River (Nevada) for rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, largemouth bass and mountain whitefish. In November, rainbow trout and brown trout are prime, and for brown trout and rainbow trout, Parachute Adams, Blue-Winged Olive and Pheasant Tail Nymph are a good place to start.
There are 9 shops nearby (4 fly, 5 bait and tackle), including Reno Fly Shop in Reno. Also nearby: Lake Tahoe.
Season at a Glance
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Rainbow Trout
Brown Trout
Cutthroat Trout
No Agency SeasonNo Agency Season Found
Largemouth Bass
Mountain Whitefish
Legend
This Month Prime: Top Months Open, Slower Spawning No Agency Season Found
Agency: NDOWSpawning: NDOW: Largemouth Bass; Mountain Whitefish
Licenses & Regulations
Most anglers need a Nevada fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state. Seasons, limits, and tackle rules vary by water, so check current regulations before you go.
Parts of the Truckee River
- Main PageTruckee RiverFlows out of Lake Tahoe through Truckee, California, and Reno, Nevada, to Pyramid Lake, with rainbow and brown trout on both sides of the state line.
- Rivers & Streams · CaliforniaTruckee River (California)Flows out of Lake Tahoe into Nevada; CDFW designates the river from Trout Creek downstream to the Nevada line a wild trout water.
- Rivers & Streams · Nevada · You're HereTruckee River (Nevada)The Truckee River in Nevada, about 40 miles from the California line through Reno to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation, with rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout, mountain whitefish, and largemouth bass in the lower sections.
Truckee River (Nevada) Species
Rainbow Trout
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Prime: Mar to May, Sep to Nov
View Species
Brown Trout
Prime NowJ
F
M
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Prime: Mar to May, Sep to Nov
View Species
Cutthroat Trout
No agency season found.
View Species
Largemouth Bass
the lower sections of the river
No agency season found.
Spawning: Apr to Jul, per NDOW
View SpeciesMountain Whitefish
No agency season found.
Spawning: Oct to Nov, per NDOW
View SpeciesSpecies per NDOW. Largemouth Bass: the lower sections of the river, per NDOW.
Images: Duane Raver and Timothy Knepp, USFWS. Public domain.
What to Use
Fishing In
Fish● Prime in November
Rainbow Trout
Prime Now · Mar to May, Sep to Nov
Fly
9 ft 5 wt rod, weight-forward floating line, 9 ft 4X to 5X leader. Add a sink-tip and 3X for streamers.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodRedington Classic Trout Fly Rod · 9 ft 0 in, 5 weight, 4 pieceCheck Price
- ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 5 and 6 weightCheck Price
- LineRIO Gold Fly Line · 5wt floatingCheck Price
- LeaderRIO Tapered Trout LeadersCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Fly for November · #16-22Zebra MidgeTailwaters.See Options
- Fly for November · #14-20Pheasant Tail NymphSee Options
- Fly for November · #4-12Woolly Bugger · Umpqua Wooly BuggerCheck Price
Spin / Cast
6 to 7 ft ultralight or light spinning rod, 1000 to 2500 reel, 4 to 6 lb mono or fluorocarbon.
Rod, Reel and Line
- Rod & ReelUgly Stik GX2 Ultralight Spinning Combo · 7 ft ultralight rod, size 25 reel, 2 pieceCheck Price
- LineBerkley Trilene XL Monofilament · 4 or 6 lbCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Lure for November · 1/16 to 1/4 ozInline Spinner · Mepps Aglia Inline SpinnerCheck Price
- Lure for November · 1/16 to 1 ozCasting Spoon · Acme Kastmaster SpoonSmall sizes for trout.Check Price
Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.
Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Buy Local
Shops near Truckee River (Nevada):
- Reno Fly Shop, RenoWebsite
- Sportsman's Warehouse, RenoWebsite
- Scheels, SparksWebsite
Map of Truckee River (Nevada)
Truckee River (Nevada) Fishing Videos
How-To
Fishing the Truckee: Catching Wild Trout in Downtown Reno | Outdoor Nevada
Fishing Report
PNW Angler vs. High Desert Winter: Urban Fly Fishing Reno
Picked by Gear & Tackle: for what they show about the Truckee River (Nevada). We don't make these videos, and none is a review of a product we link.
Planning for a Month
Prime in November
Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout
Daylight
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Moon
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Typical Weather
54°F high, 33°F low
About 0.7 in of precipitation for the month.
Typical Flow
334 cfs
Most years 82 cfs to 538 cfs.
Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 4 mi away; flow from USGS gauge 10348000, 1906 to 2026.
Also Worth Packing
Clothing for November comes first, picked from typical weather here.
Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders
Durable, breathable four-layer waders built as a daily driver for seasons of wading.
Pack It For: Oct to May
Check Price Maker's PageWaders & Boots
Simms Freestone Wading Boots
Supportive wading boots with determined traction for a full range of wading conditions, worn over waders or wading socks.
Pack It For: Year-round
Check Price Maker's PageNets & Tools
Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A floating trout net with tangle-free micromesh rubberized netting and a flat bottom that supports the fish's weight evenly.
Check Price Maker's PageSunglasses
Costa Polarized Fishing Sunglasses
Polarized lenses cut glare so you can see fish, structure, and flats.
Check PriceApparel
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer
A 100% merino wool base layer for temperature regulation and moisture management, under waders or a jacket.
Pack It For: Dec to Feb
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Glacier Glove Alaska River Flip Mitt
Fingerless fishing gloves with a fold-over mitt for cold hands between casts.
Pack It For: Dec to Feb
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Simms SolarFlex Sun Hoody
A UPF 50+ hooded sun shirt with a vented hood and extended sleeves, for long, bright days.
Pack It For: May to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Buff CoolNet UV Neckwear
A UPF 50 sun gaiter for the face and neck.
Pack It For: May to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageWaders & Boots
Simms Neoprene Wading Socks
Worn inside wading boots in place of waders when the water is warm enough to wet wade.
Pack It For: Jun to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Shops Near Truckee River (Nevada)
Fly Shop
Trout Creek Outfitters
Truckee, California
10115 Donner Pass Rd 530-563-5119
Stocks flies, fishing equipment and apparel near the Truckee River.
Guided trips
Guides and Charters Near Truckee River (Nevada)
GuideFly Fishing
Gilligans Guide Service
Truckee, California
10849 Floriston Ave 775-351-6665
Per their website: Brown Trout, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips, Float Trips, Wade Trips
Charter
Sierra Fin Addicts Fishing Charters
Incline Village, Nevada
569 Mcdonald Dr./Mailing Address: 775-225-0979
Per their website: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Lake Trout, Half-Day Trips
Charter
Lake Tahoe Fishing Trips and Pyramid Lake Fishing Trips
Tahoe Vista, California
Per their website: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Half-Day Trips, Lake Trips
Charter
Reel-Lentless Fishing Charters
Carnelian Bay, California
Per their website: Lake Trout, Half-Day Trips
Charter
Hooked Up Sport Fishing
Carnelian Bay, California
Per their website: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Lake Trout
