North Lake Tahoe fishing

I brought my kayak up to North Lake Tahoe Cornelian bay. I just started kayaking so I don’t have a downrigger yet but maybe eventually. That being said I heard it’s pretty hard to catch fish in Lake Tahoe because most fish are super deep. I was thinking of going to Donner Lake and throwing some power bait and bucktails. Anyone have any fishing suggestions, haven’t done trout fishing in a while. Thanks.

Troll the shores. No need to go deeper than 20'.
Trout lure of your choice or live minnows.
Minnows are easy to get in that lake.

If you have a fish finder I suggest driving to south Tahoe, Baldwin/kiva beach area and jigging before the kokanee spawn. Also try trolling Stampede for trout and kokanee, and Boca for trout. Jig for Macs at donner off rocky points in deeper water. Since you don't yet have a downrigger, add some weight before your dodger if your trolling and that will get you at least 5' deeper.

If you have a fish finder I suggest driving to south Tahoe, Baldwin/kiva beach area and jigging before the kokanee spawn. Also try trolling Stampede for trout and kokanee, and Boca for trout. Jig for Macs at donner off rocky points in deeper water. Since you don't yet have a downrigger, add some weight before your dodger if your trolling and that will get you at least 5' deeper.

Don’t have a fish finder yet but thanks for the recommendations

If you have a fish finder I suggest driving to south Tahoe, Baldwin/kiva beach area and jigging before the kokanee spawn. Also try trolling Stampede for trout and kokanee, and Boca for trout. Jig for Macs at donner off rocky points in deeper water. Since you don't yet have a downrigger, add some weight before your dodger if your trolling and that will get you at least 5' deeper.

Don’t have a fish finder yet but thanks for the recommendations

and if the lakes aren't producing, you have the Truckee River (not for a kayak).  Just read up on the regs for the Truckee before you start fishing.  and someone will correct me but I recall that Lake Tahoe has some regulations regarding cleaning your kayak prior to putting it in the water.

If you have a fish finder I suggest driving to south Tahoe, Baldwin/kiva beach area and jigging before the kokanee spawn. Also try trolling Stampede for trout and kokanee, and Boca for trout. Jig for Macs at donner off rocky points in deeper water. Since you don't yet have a downrigger, add some weight before your dodger if your trolling and that will get you at least 5' deeper.

So is Donner the best bet for Macks? Headed up there soon as well.

Yes Donnor is easier for kayak fishing, but has a ton of boat traffic lately. Tahoe macks are possible in the early morning on shelf edges or under koke schools but later in the day the macks go to 200'+. Stampede has a small population of macks under the koke schools and near the dam.

I have a house in the keys in south lake.  If anyone wants to launch from my dock hit me up.  It’s a 10 minute paddle to the main lake.

I have a house in the keys in south lake.  If anyone wants to launch from my dock hit me up.  It’s a 10 minute paddle to the main lake.

Thanks for offering this!  I would definitely take you up on this in the future.

and if the lakes aren't producing, you have the Truckee River (not for a kayak).  Just read up on the regs for the Truckee before you start fishing.  and someone will correct me but I recall that Lake Tahoe has some regulations regarding cleaning your kayak prior to putting it in the water.

I second the Truckee, especially if you fly fish.  There are some very large and beautiful trout in that river.

Donner lake was bad fished the morning didn’t see anyone catch anything even with downriggers. Very beautiful and scenic and ended up  kayaking and swimming. I will check out truckee River next time don’t fly fish but would like to try it out.