Truckee River

River Map

About Truckee River

The Truckee flows from Lake Tahoe through Reno and into Pyramid Lake — home of the legendary Lahontan cutthroat trout. Below the California state line, the Nevada stretch runs through downtown Reno before entering the Truckee Meadows. A unique urban fishery with genuine wild trout, the Nevada Truckee is heavily managed by NDOW and Trout Unlimited. Pyramid Lake cutthroat run up the river seasonally (December–April) and can exceed 20 lbs — one of the most extraordinary trophy cutthroat fisheries in North America.

Regulations

Nevada Fishing License required. Pyramid Lake tribal permit required for fishing ON Pyramid Lake itself (separate from river regulations). Truckee River below Derby Dam: check NDOW for current Lahontan cutthroat special regulations — slot limits and artificial-only restrictions apply in some sections. Confirm current regs at ndow.org.

Learn More

Guides to help you fish Truckee River with more confidence.

• Nevada Trout Fishing Regulations Guide

  Nevada fishing license covers the rivers (no separate trout permit), year-round trout season with section-specific Lahontan cutthroat protections,…

• Trout Species of Nevada

  Nevada has one native trout — the Lahontan Cutthroat, the largest cutthroat subspecies in North America and the flagship Pyramid Lake fish…

• How Barometric Pressure Affects Fishing (And How to Use It)

  That gorgeous bluebird day after a cold front? Worst fishing of the year. Here's the data behind why pressure changes matter more than the weather…