Summer in Lake Tahoe is Magical
Summer in Lake Tahoe is magical. The scenery is like nowhere else in the world, with the many blue colors of the lake, the greens of the Sierra Forest and the majestic snowcapped mountains surrounding the lake and the many colors of blue on the lake. There is so much to see and do during the summer months here.
Lake Tahoe is known worldwide as a destination for freshwater anglers, and the summer is a great time to get out on the water. The lake is known for some of the best inshore fishing in the country. Mackinaw, or as they are also known, Lake Trout, are always available year-round. The lake also has many other fish, like Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee Salmon, etc.
Summer is when Kokanee Salmon fishing is in full effect. Kokanee are landlocked relatives of the Sockeye Salmon, and their season is from July to October. These fish are not big, only averaging 1-2 pounds and 12-15 inches in length. Despite their size, Kokanee are feisty fish. They are popular to catch because they are aggressive and fun to reel in, and bonus, they are delicious to eat.
But while Kokanee are here in the summer in great numbers, they are still second fiddle to the big Macks that people come to Lake Tahoe for. Mackinaw, or as they are also known, Lake Trout, are the big dogs of the lake. They average in size around 15 pounds, but 20-30 pounders are not unheard of. Mackinaw are fun fish to catch. They rip your line and fight hard. They are also known to jump. Large Macks are known as Lakers, and every angler coming to Lake Tahoe is searching for one of these beasts. It is a real thrill to have a big laker on the line.
Both Mackinaw and Kokanee go deep in the warm weather. They prefer water temperatures of 54 degrees Fahrenheit or colder, and you can find them 100 ft. deep or more.
Mackinaw Trout are not the only trout you can catch during the summer months on the lake. Rainbow, Brown, Brook, Cutthroat, and Golden Trout can all be landed, but Brook, Cutthroat and Golden Trout are rare and not the main catch. The best time of year for Rainbow Trout is May and September to November, but you can still find them cruising the deeper waters during the warm summer months. For the best chance for Brown Trout, you should try fishing just before dusk.
Also, there are plenty of large and smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegills, and other fish species during the summer.
Lake Tahoe is a summer destination. It is one of the best places to be and the best times of the year to visit and fish. But to fish, you are going to need a boat and an experienced guide. Here at Travelfish, we check our guides to ensure that we only introduce the best of the best of Lake Tahoe to all of our clients. Come experience the thrills and excitement of a day on the water with an experienced local charter service that knows where to go and takes you to where the fish are.
