Donner Summit Fishing

The Truckee River flows out of Lake Tahoe at Tahoe City and swings north to the town of Truckee. There, gaining more flow from tributaries, the river turns east and meanders through the north end of the Martis Valley and Juniper Flat before gathering speed and rushing toward Nevada.

Where to Fish

Casual anglers can find numerous places to fish the Truckee River between Tahoe City and the Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley) turnoff. The first 1000 feet below the dam at Tahoe City are closed to all fishing. A paved trail follows the river, providing an easy way to move along its bank from place to place to fish.

Fly fisherman like the river below Truckee. Good access points are found along Glenshire Road which follows the river east from town. Be sure to check current fishing regulations before setting out. San Francisco Flycasters owns a private fishing reserve from a point below the Glenshire bridge to the first Interstate 80 bridge where Prosser Creek joins the Truckee. There shoreline there is closed to the public.

Other good places for fishing the Truckee River are at the town of Hirchdale a couple of the miles east of Truckee and also back in town at the Loop in the river.

Truckee River Regulations

Always check for updates or changes in regulations:
California Freshwater Fishing Regulations

Boca, Prosser Creek, and Stampede Reservoirs

Boca, Prosser Creek, and Stampede reservoirs are all within several miles of each other, just a few miles east of Truckee. You'll find easy access via Stampede Meadows Road off Interstate 80. These reservoirs have brown trout, rainbows, kokanee, and a few Mackinaws.

Most anglers here use boats and troll. Shore fisherman usually use bait. Fly fishermen like to work the areas near the inlets. For good fly-fishing advice for Boca and other nearby waters, see Fly Fishing the Sierra.

Where to Fish the Reservoirs

At Boca Reservoir trollers do well near the dam at around Black Rock.

At Stampede Reservoir (shown above) anglers have sought out rainbow trout in the Sagehen Arm and in the Little Truckee Arm. In Prosser Creek Reservoir fishermen like the areas near the inlet and close to the dam.

Fishing the Reservoir Area Streams

• Sagehen Creek: The creek feeds Stampede Reservoir from the west and can be accessed along Highway 89 north of Truckee and from roads along the south shore of Stampede. Fish the creek for rainbow and brown trout.
• Prosser Creek: The creek spills into Prosser Creek Reservoir from the northwest. Rainbow trout are planted regularly where Highway 89 crosses the creek. Good fishing is found both upstream and down from Highway 89.
• Little Truckee River: The river meanders, tumbles, and rushes nearly 20 miles from Webber Lake (11 miles north of Donner Summit) east and southeast to Stampede Reservoir. Between Stampede and Boca is a wild trout area with special regulations. Access the upper part of the river along Highway 89.

Donner Lake

Anglers at Donner Lake go after Mackinaw, rainbow and brown trout along with kokanee salmon. The lake is stocked with kokanee salmon and rainbow trout. Many anglers believe that Donner has bigger Mackinaw than nearby Lake Tahoe. While most fishermen work from boats, there are plenty of good places along the shore to fish.

Where to Fish on Donner Lake

There are about 30 public docks along the north shore of the lake which make good places from which to fish. Many shore fishermen like the area around the launch ramp. China Cove is a popular place for those trolling for Mackinaws, while for those going after rainbow trout, the west end of lake near the mouth of the river has proved to be a good spot.

Lake Spaulding

700-acre Lake Spaulding is 25 miles east of Nevada City, just off Highway 20. PG&E, which owns the reservoir, charges $7 for day-use parking and $10 for boat launching and parking. The lake is usually open from mid-May to mid-October. Fishing is good for both rainbow and brown trout.

Where to Fish at Lake Spaulding

For those who enjoy fishing from the bank, the best places to fish Lake Spaulding are along the northwest shore. A convoluted trail from just below Fuller Lake leads to Spaulding. Trollers have had their best luck with rapalas around the dam and up in the Gonelson Canyon inlet.

Fuller Lake

Little Fuller Lake on Bowman Lake Road off Highway 20 is known as one of the best fishing spots in the area. It is easy to reach and there is no fee if you park near the dam. The lake has rainbow, brown, and brook trout. Anglers often use float tubes to find the best spots on the lake, but shore fishermen can work their way around to good spots on the eastern bank.

Where to Fish at Fuller Lake

Good drop offs are found along the east side of the lake, especially up in the northeast corner and the southeast corner. The area near the dam is known for its good fishing. Another favorite spot is near the inlet stream at the northwest corner of the lake. All kinds of fishing are successful here, especially bait fishing a fly fishing.

Rucker Lake

A little farther out Bowman Lake Road is Rucker Lake. Although many try their luck fishing from shore, the most successful fishing has been from float tubes. The lake is known for its largemouth and smallmouth bass. It also has a population of bluegill.

Where to Fish on Rucker Lake

The smallmouth bass seem to like hiding out in the reeds along the edge of the lake. Anglers have reported good success along the north shore.

Grouse Ridge Lakes

Most of the lakes in the Grouse Ridge area have good fishing. Those closest to the roads, such as Carr Lake, Feeley Lake, and Lindsey Lakes are more heavily fished than those deeper in the roadless area. Especially good fishing lakes there include Rock Lake, Penner Lake, Glacier Lake, Milk Lake and Island Lake. Almost all of the lakes can be reached as day hikes.

The lakes have brook and rainbow trout. Glacier Lake is known for its golden trout. Feeley Lake also has bullhead catfish.

Lake Valley Reservoir

Lake Valley Reservoir, just a couple miles south of Yuba Gap, makes a quiet place to fish. With a 10 MPH speed limit fishing boats and kayaks are about all you find on the lake. A good boat ramp is on the north shore at the Silvertip Picnic Area.

Most anglers fish the lake from boats. A strong population of bullhead catfish have been competing with trout, but regular plantings of rainbows have provided good fishing, especially early in the season. There are also some brown trout lurking in the depths. Fish for catfish off the shore where there is sandy bottom. Look for trout in the rocky parts of the lake.

Scotts Flat Reservoir

At 3000 feet in elevation, Scotts Flat Reservoir is a popular place for family outings, boating, and fishing. Fishing in the lake is good for brown trout, Kokanees, and rainbows. The lake also has strong populations of smallmouth and largemouth bass, bluegills and catfish.

Where to Fish on Scotts Flat Reservoir

Many shore anglers enjoy fishing in the areas of the two private campgrounds and boat ramps that service the lake. Those with boats go after the kokanees, browns, and rainbows by trolling around the dam and up the inlet channel. Bass are often found along the drop-offs. Bluegills are easy to catch near the inlet.

Rollins Lake

Rollins Lake is along the Bear River just a couple of miles north of Colfax. During peak summer days the lake can be busy with recreational boaters, but early morning or late afternoon anglers find still water in which to fish for brown and rainbow trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, catfish, and bluegill. Quiet waters can be found all day long in the coves where the speed limit is 5 MPH.

Where to Fish at Rollins Lake

Anglers do well fishing either from shore or from a boat. Popular fishing spots are in Freeloaders Cove, near the Long Ravine campgrounds and boat ramp, and up the Bear River arm.

Webber Lake

Photo courtesy John Peltier

Webber Lake was acquired by the Truckee Donner Land Trust in 2012. The lake and surrounding meadows are open to the public for fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, and camping. The lake is 17 miles north of Truckee via Highway 89 and then 8 miles west on Jackson Meadows Road. Watch for the sign to the TDLT Lacey Meadow parking area.

Webber Lake has a 5 MPH speed limit. Sierra Country requires an AIS form be completed before launching any watercraft in order to avoid the spread of invasive pests (see more information on the Land Trust website).

Fishing in Webber Lake is good for Lahontan cutthroat, brown, brook, and rainbow trout.
Truckee Donner Land Trust - Webber Lake and Lacey Meadows

Dave's Sierra Fishing

Dave's Sierra Fishing has dozens of great fishing destinations in the Sierra, including many in Nevada County. You'll find all the information on Dave's Sierra Fishing.