Truckee River Basin Still Waters

This page provides information about many of the significant public still water fisheries within the Truckee River basin.

• Angora Lakes － a pair of alpine lakes above Fallen Leaf Lake which hold Lahontan cutthroat trout.  The Alpine Lake Resort is located at the upper lake, stop by for some ice cold lemonade. Accessed using the Angora Lakes trail. Parking fee required.

• Boca Reservoir － A reservoir on the Little Truckee River.

• Donner Lake  － A deep lake known for large lake trout (aka Mackinaw) near Truckee, CA. You can also find rainbow and brown trout as well as kokanee there. 

• Eagle Lake (Lake Tahoe basin) － a nice alpine lake that holds brooke, rainbow, and brown trout. An easy one mile hike from Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe. To beat the crowds, go early... or go further up the trail to Azure Lake or Velma lakes.

• Echo Lakes － This pair of alpine lakes holds Lahontan cutthroat, broke, and rainbow trout as well as Kokanee salmon. The Echo Chalet at the lower lake offers a grocery store and fountain, cabin and kayak rentals, and a public boat ramp. They also operate boat taxi service across both lakes. The north shore both lakes can be accessed using the Pacific Crest Trail from there.

• Fallen Leaf Lake － A deep, glacier-formed lake that lies just south of Lake Tahoe. The lake holds Lahontan cutthroat, mackinaw, brown and rainbow trout as well as kokanee. Lahontan bowcutts, rainbow x Lahontan cutthroat hybrid trout are also present. The fishery is the subject of a LCT restoration project. It can be accessed from CA 89 using either Fall Leaf Road or Cathedral Road. Camping is available at Fallen Leaf Campground.

• Hobart Creek Reservoir － A 10-acre lake above Carson City in the Spooner Lake & Backcountry State Park.  It is accessible using Ash Canyon Road (a 4x4 road) and a short hike or, alternatively by a 5 mile hike (or mountain bike ride) from Lakeview trailhead. Anglers can readily catch wild brookies here, as well as stocked rainbows and tigers. Can be fished from shore (waders recommended) or float tube. Camp sites are available (walk-in only).  See my Fly Fishing at Hobart Reservoir article for more info. Hobart Creek Reservoir will be closed for the 2026 season.

• Independence Lake － An alpine lake 20 miles north of Truckee which outflows into Independence creek, a tributary of the Little Truckee River. The lake holds Lahontan Cutthroat trout and a varient of other salmonids. The lake is situated on the Independence Lake Preserve, which is owned and operated by the Nature Conservancy. Before visiting the preserve, one become familar with preservation's angling and other regulations.

• Lily Lake － A small lake above Fallen Leaf Lake. Accessed from Glen Alpine Road off of Fallen Leaf Road. Or head up the trail a couple of miles to Grass Lake.

• Marlette Lake － A 380-acre lake in the Carson range above Lake Tahoe in the Spooner Lake & Backcountry State Park. It is accessible by hike or bike. This lake is a brood stock lake for Nevada Department of Wildlife hatcheries, holding Lahontan cutthroat, rainbow, and brook trout. Camping is available at nearby Marklette Peak Campground (walk-in only).  Marlette Lake is closed for dam repairs through the end of 2026.

• Martis Creek Reservoir － a fine 70-acre lake for float tubing. Located just east of Truckee, CA. Camping available.

• Prosser Creek Reservoir － has nice populations of wild brown and stocked rainbow trout. Located just northeast of Truckee.

• Pyramid Lake － The place to go for trophy-sized Lahontan cutthroats! Cui-ui are also plentiful in the lake (must be immediately released). Can be fished from shore, on a ladder, or a float. Camping and lodging available. Requires permit (state license not required).

• Spooner Lake － A 75-acre lake up above Carson City in the Spooner Lake & Backcountry State Park. Stocked with rainbows, tigers, and bowcutts.  You also find plenty of Lahontan tui chub. Can be fished from shore or a float. A state park fee payment is required.

• Stampede Reservoir - A reservoir on the Little Truckee River.

• Lake Tahoe － Not normally thought of for fly fishing but can fish well from a float tube, especially in areas that are frequently stocked, such as the Cave Rock area. Camping and lodging is available.

• Washoe lake － a warm water fishery viewable from I-580 when crossing the Washoe Valley between Carson City and Reno. You'll find white and striped bass, bullhead and channel catfish, crappie and Sacramento perch in this lake. The Washoe Lake State Park, located along the southeast shore, offers picnicing and camping emimities, as well as a public boat ramp.