Tahoe City — Charter Departure
- Deep-water Mackinaw trout charters
- Year-round
- 37lb fish possible
- Multiple operators
- Half & full day
ActivitiesFishing
Fishing at Lake Tahoe
Mackinaw (lake trout) to 37 pounds in the deep water, plus rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout and kokanee salmon. Charter boats run all year.
Conditions today
- Right now
- 72°F, Sunny
- Today
- High 72°, low 48°
- Wind
- 8 mph
- Water temperature
- 65°F
- Lake level
- 6,222.4 ft
- TomorrowPartly Cloudy, 10% chance of rain68° 45°
- ThuMostly Clear, 5% chance of rain74° 50°
- FriPM Storms, 75% chance of rain61° 44°
Best months
- Jan: possible
- Feb: possible
- Mar: possible
- Apr: best
- May: best
- Jun: possible
- Jul: possible
- Aug: possible
- Sep: best
- Oct: best (this month)
- Nov: possible
- Dec: possible
The lake is open all year. Spring and fall are the best months for Mackinaw.
Know before you go
- License
- You need a California or Nevada fishing license. Either one is valid anywhere on Lake Tahoe itself. Other lakes and streams follow the rules of the state they are in.
- Charters
- Most big Mackinaw are caught from charter boats working deep water. Boats leave from Tahoe City, Camp Richardson and other marinas, usually at first light.
- Small lakes
- Spooner Lake allows a 5-fish limit. Marlette Lake is catch-and-release with artificial lures only, July 15 to September 30.
- Kokanee run
- The October kokanee salmon run at Taylor Creek is one to watch rather than fish: there is a viewing platform at the visitor center.
Shore by shore
North Shore
Charter boats out of Tahoe City marina specialize in deep-water Mackinaw trout, which can reach 37 lbs. Kings Beach has easy shore-fishing access.
East Shore
Spooner Lake is catch-and-keep (5-fish limit). Marlette Lake (July 15 – Sept 30) is catch-and-release artificial lures only. Both are excellent for cutthroat trout.
South Shore
Taylor Creek's October kokanee salmon run is one of the most spectacular wildlife events at Tahoe. Charter boats out of Camp Richardson marina for Mackinaw.
West Shore
West shore drop-offs hold the largest Mackinaw (lake trout). Charter boats depart from Tahoe City marina year-round. Spring and fall are peak seasons.
17 places for fishing
Open the fishing mapCamp Richardson — Charter Departure
- South shore Mackinaw & kokanee charters
- Full-service marina
- Multiple operators
Zephyr Cove — Charter Departure
- East shore charter boats
- Mackinaw & rainbow
- Guided lake fishing
- Half & full day
Ski Run Marina — Charter Departure
- South shore
- Multiple charter operators
- Mackinaw trolling year-round
- SLT central
Taylor Creek — Kokanee Salmon Run
- October kokanee salmon run
- Bears, bald eagles & osprey gather
- Viewing platform
- Free
- Unmissable fall event
Trout Creek — SLT
- Small stream
- Rainbow & brown trout
- Walk from town
- Fly fishing
All 17 fishing places, A to Z
- Blackwood Creek
- Camp Richardson — Charter Departure
- Cave Rock Shore Fishing
- Echo Lakes
- Fallen Leaf Lake
- Fleur du Lac — West Shore Trolling
- General Creek — Sugar Pine Point
- Gilmore Lake — Desolation
- Kings Beach Shore Fishing
- Marlette Lake — Catch & Release
- Nevada Beach Shore Fishing
- Ski Run Marina — Charter Departure
- Spooner Lake
- Tahoe City — Charter Departure
- Taylor Creek — Kokanee Salmon Run
- Trout Creek — SLT
- Zephyr Cove — Charter Departure
Gear and rentals nearby
Open the amenities map- REI — South Lake TahoeOutfitter, South Lake Tahoe, CAFull outfitter, Rentals, Expert staff
- Tahoe Outdoor CenterOutfitter, Tahoe City, CAGear, advice & guided adventures
- Alpenglow SportsOutfitter, Truckee, CABackcountry & ski, Climbing gear, Truckee hub
- Dave's Ski & BoardOutfitter, South Lake Tahoe, CASki & snowboard rentals & tuning
Guides and official sites
These open on other websites.