Upper Truckee River
Fly fishing the Upper Truckee River in California near Meyers and South Lake Tahoe, with wild trout and native Lahontan cutthroat in Big Meadow.
- 57 miRiver length
- 4Game fish
- 27Access points
In the FlyFishFinder appAbout the Upper Truckee
The Upper Truckee River starts high in the Sierra and flows toward Lake Tahoe through Meyers and South Lake Tahoe. It is listed as California Heritage and Wild Trout water. Through town it runs past homes, and the best fly fishing is upstream.
The fish are brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout and Lahontan cutthroat trout. The upper river is one of the few alpine streams in California open to angling for native Lahontan cutthroat. Big Meadow has nice brook trout and the Tahoe Rim Trail trailhead is a great place to start.
Highway 89 out of Meyers and Upper Truckee Road lead to trailheads. Trout Creek and Big Meadow Creek are nearby small streams. Some good campsites sit in the area.
Summer is the main season. Attractor dries, caddis, hoppers and terrestrials work well on small wild fish.
Check the current California regulations, especially for Lahontan cutthroat.
Upper Truckee River at South Lake Tahoe, CA
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Nearby gages
- Trout Creek near Tahoe Valley, CA3.3 mi away Not reporting USGS 10336780
- Glenbrook Creek at Glenbrook, NV10.9 mi away Not reporting USGS 10336730
- Clear Creek near Carson City, NV16.9 mi away Not reporting USGS 10310500
- Marlette Creek near Carson City, NV17.0 mi away Not reporting USGS 10336715
- Kings Canyon Creek near Carson City, NV18.6 mi away Not reporting USGS 10311100
- Franktown Creek near Carson City, NV19.7 mi away Not reporting USGS 10348460
- Carson River near Carson City, NV20.2 mi away Not reporting USGS 10311000
- Incline Creek near Crystal Bay, NV20.9 mi away Not reporting USGS 10336700
No gages that close. Try a wider radius.
See every gage on the map and today's top 10 rivers in the free appData from the U.S. Geological Survey. Recent readings are provisional and may be revised.
Fish you'll catch
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Tips for fishing the Upper Truckee
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Hike upstream
The best fly water is above the residential areas.
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Use attractor dries
Wild fish in small water eat simple dry flies.
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Release cutthroat gently
Native Lahontans deserve careful handling.
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Camp nearby
Several good campsites sit in the area.
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Try Big Meadow
It is a classic spot for brook trout.
Every access point on the Upper Truckee, in your pocket.
- 27 mapped access points, with parking and put-ins
- Today's Fishability score, so you fish the day that lines up
- 7-day flow and water-temp trends for every gauge on the river
Rivers near the Upper Truckee
Upper Truckee River FAQ
What is the best time to fly fish the Upper Truckee River in California?
Summer is the main season.
Where can I fly fish the Upper Truckee River near Lake Tahoe?
Upstream of Meyers, including Big Meadow. The app map shows mapped access points along the river.
Can you wade the Upper Truckee River?
Yes. It is a small river that wades easily.
What flies work on the Upper Truckee River?
Caddis, hoppers and other terrestrial patterns. The FlyFishFinder app shows what is hatching and working on the Upper Truckee today.
What fish are in the Upper Truckee River?
Brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout and Lahontan cutthroat trout.
Are there special rules on the Upper Truckee River?
Yes. Wild trout and cutthroat rules may apply. Check current California regulations before you go.
