BY DAVE HURLEY
SUTLIFFE – Pyramid Lake closes for fishing for three months starting July 1 before reopening on October 1, but the final month of the current season is producing spectacular fishing.
Richard Kowski of Brown’s Valley was out with Brian Austin Hough, Will Moore, Brandon Smith, and Frank Cecena for two days of catch-and-release of close to 100 Lahontan cutthroat trout, experiencing double, triples, and even a quad hook up.
Cory Kellar of Hendrix Baits said several weeks ago, “It’s just a matter of time before the trolling bite takes off in a big way,” and he was right on target. Kellar has been scoring with 3-inch Tomic plugs in various colors.
Kowski added, “We started trolling from Warrior’s Point heading north, and we were picking them up here and there before we found out that chrome lures were the ticket. Chrome Flatfish or big chrome Cleo’s at 2.2 mph create flash and wobble, and we had up to 8 rods out at one time: four on the downriggers, two on the outriggers, and two lines with a ball weight dropper with a 3-foot dropper and short leader. The fish were holding right off the sandy bottoms in 60 feet of water. One the first day, we released close to 60 fish to 15 pounds with a number of 11- to 13-pound cutthroats along with several in the 6- to 7-pound range. We wrapped it up by noon on the second day, but we had 29 to the boat by then. It was an ‘epic’ two days of fishing, and I plan on heading back at least once, possibly twice, before the season closes.”
Pyramid regulations allow for two trout per day, not to exceed four in possession of the following size: one trout from 17 to 20 inches and one over 24 inches. No trout less than 17 inches or between 20 and 24 inches are allows in possession. Any fish not immediately released will count toward the possession limit of the person having caught it. From July 1 through September 30, the open waters of Pyramid Lake will be open to fishing to all species except trout and cui-ui and will be limited to shore fishing only (wading permitted, but no boats, ladders or floatation devices may be used). Any trout or cui-ui caught must be immediately released.
Permits for fishing, camping, day use, and boating must be purchased at the Ranger Station during normal business hours or online at https://plpt.nagfa.net/online/. No Nevada fishing license is required, only a tribal permit. The Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Station, located in Sutcliffe, Is now open. It is mandatory to stop and receive an inspection while the station is open. If the station is closed boaters may fill out a self-inspection form located either at Pelican boat launch, the Ranger station, or the Pyramid Hwy Creel station. The Popcorn Rock boat access is closed.
