Pyramid Lake Opens October 1st
Pyramid Lake, located 33 miles north of Reno, is one of the best trout fishing destinations in the world! Nowhere else that I know of, can an average fisherman literally “expect” to catch at least a 10 pound trout any day, and many fish of 15, 20 and even 25 pounds are caught there every year. The Lahontan Cutthroat trout is the largest cutthroat trout species in existence! Pyramid features 2 strains of cutthroat – the Summit strain and the Pilot Peak strain. They both feature beautiful colors and the bright red slash on the back of the gill plate, or the “throat”. Overall, the Summit strain is usually smaller and more colorful, white the Pilot Peak fish are more muted colors and are the ones caught between 15 and 25 pounds!
Again this year, you must have your boat inspected before entering Pyramid Lake waters.. All motorized and/or trailered watercraft will be required to undergo a mandatory Aquatic Invasive Species Inspection prior to launching at Pyramid Lake. Boaters will receive a paper inspection receipt to place on dashboard of the trailering vehicle for Ranger verification. Inspection is valid for the duration of permitting period meaning consecutive days on the water; inspection is only required on day 1 of a 2 or 3-day permit; original inspection is valid for consecutive 2-3 day permits. For every visit after your permit permitting period, watercraft will need to be re-inspected. Inspections are free. Decontamination fees can be avoided by arriving at the Watercraft Inspection Station Clean, Drained, and Dry. Boaters will be charged $15 for the first system decontaminated and an additional $5 for each system after that.
Pyramid Lake is part of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Indian Reservation. You don’t need a Nevada fishing license, but you do need to get Pyramid Lake fishing permits. You can purchase them online at www.pyramidlake.us/permits.
New for this year, an annual fishing permit is now available for $750 per year. Fishing, boating and camping fees are the same as last year. Fishing and Second Rod permits are $27 per day, Boating fees are $30 per day, and camping fees are $35 per day.
Another change for 2026-27, the lake is closed to ALL Fishing from July 1 to September 30th. Pyramid Lake is open for fishing from October 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
For more information, go to www.pyramidlake.us, or call the Ranger station at (775) 574-1050 ext.22.
