LAKE TAHOE DAILY FISHING REPORT - May 2, 2025

Howdy anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Friday morning fishing update for beautiful Lake Tahoe! The sun rose at 6:05 AM today and will set at 7:52 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to reel in some beauties.

Weather's playing nice with us today - clear skies, light breeze from the southwest at 5-7 mph, and temperatures climbing from a crisp 48° this morning to about 65° by mid-afternoon. Lake temperature is sitting at 52° in most areas, perfect for active fish.

The spring bite is absolutely on fire right now! Mackinaw trout are hitting consistently at depths of 80-120 feet, especially during early morning hours. Folks have been landing some impressive 5-8 pounders using dodgers with white or silver flashers trailed by minnow-imitating lures[1][2]. Try jigging large silver spoons if you're looking for an active approach.

Kokanee salmon action is starting to heat up nicely as we move into May. These fighters are schooling at 30-50 feet, with the best action reported mid-morning to early afternoon. Small pink or orange hoochies tipped with corn and scented with anise oil are your ticket here[1].

Rainbow trout fishing has been exceptional near the shorelines, particularly during the first and last light. Powerbait in chartreuse or rainbow colors is working wonders, while fly fishermen are crushing it with small nymphs and midges[2]. The rainbows are averaging 16-19 inches with some hefty 3-pounders in the mix!

Brown trout are also making a strong showing, especially in the north and east shores where tributaries feed the lake. Try floating Rapalas in natural colors or nightcrawlers near creek mouths for these crafty fighters[1][3].

For shore anglers, now through September is prime time, so get out there while the getting's good[2]. Cave Rock on the Nevada side and Kings Beach on the California side have been particularly productive spots for bank fishing.

Boat anglers should focus on the Tahoe City shelf and the waters off Sand Harbor, where schools of hungry mackinaw are stacked up and feeding aggressively. If you're after kokanee, the waters off Emerald Bay have been red hot.

No need to worry about tides here on our alpine lake, but watch those afternoon winds – they can kick up without much warning.

Remember folks, you need either a California or Nevada fishing license depending on which side you're casting from, and the limit for mackinaw is 5 per day.

That's the skinny for today. Tight lines and tall tales until next time!