News briefWind & weather · California
25 mph gusts on Lake Tahoe Friday
Friday brings gusts near 25 mph to Lake Tahoe out of the southwest.
Gusts near 25 mph are forecast on Lake Tahoe for Friday. Small boats should plan around it.
Trout are the fish to target. Near the surface and along shorelines.
Why it matters
Wind stacks bait on the downwind banks and the fish follow, but gusts over 20 mph make open water dangerous for small boats. Late fall at this latitude is a season of short, strong feeding windows. Thursday: sunny, a high near 58°F and a low of 40°F; light wind from the southwest around 5 mph, gusting to 20 mph. On Friday, light rain then rain and snow, a high near 47°F and a low of 35°F, with a strong wind from the southwest around 20 mph, gusting to 25 mph.
Lake Tahoe covers about 122,000 acres with roughly 71 miles of shoreline at full pool. The deepest water sits around 1640 ft.
The fish
On Lake Tahoe, lake trout are hit or miss. Cool surface water brings lake trout up toward shore points. Trout here are a solid pick. Trout are comfortable in the 50s and cruise shallow, so shore anglers get their best shot.
Know before you go
- Go Thursday, 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm: the best-rated bite day (good).
- Start at the point drop-off (10 to 24 ft) on the map: troll a spoon on deep edges.
- Wear the life jacket: 52°F water takes your breath away if you fall in.
One spot to try
On Lake Tahoe, start at the point drop-off marked on the map, fishing 10 to 24 ft. The bottom falls away fast off this point; fish rest deep and move up the slope to feed. Expect lake trout and trout there; troll a spoon on deep edges.
Lake Tahoe every morning
Water temperature, level, wind and bite times on your phone.
Read the guide
- Why you should fish the windy bank, not avoid itWhy wind-blown banks hold more active fish, how to read wind direction on a lake, and how to stay safe fishing wind and waves in a small boat.
- Lake Tahoe fishing and boating guideLake Tahoe runs famously clear and cold, with mackinaw holding deep year-round. Here's where to fish, how to boat safely and what the water level changes.
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