Pyramid Lake best November since the 1930's!

[Doug O]

Yes, There has been some concern over the overall catch rate being low. I've seen the catch rates go up and down throughout the years. Since the introduction of the Pilot Peak strain the dynamics have certainly changed. We have seen many many more big fish especially over 15 pounds. Before the Pilots a 15 pounder was extremely rare. Water temps play a big part on the numbers of fish being caught. 57 degrees is optimum for these cutthroat, as of now the water is at 51 degrees and falling due to the winter conditions. The winter conditions usually produce less fish but bigger fish. We will see what happens in March when the water warms to 54 - 57 degrees.
The Feds have been putting over a million fish in per year and the Tribe has also been putting in good numbers. There are probably more fish in the lake now than in several past years.
It would be nice if more anglers would stop at the creel censes station to report their catches, it is valuable information.

Thanks for the question,
Doug O.

[JD]

[snip]The Feds have been putting over a million fish in per year.

Can you tell me your source for this number came, Doug? Last estimate I had heard was considerably less than that (<200k/year; according to the USFWS hatchery the number may be as much as 300k). Do you have any idea what the tribe plants are like in terms of numbers these days? The general trend over the last few years has been fewer fish in the lake each year, and I would be pleasantly surprised to hear this trend has reversed.

[Doug O]

JD,
My source is directly from the Pyramid Lake Fisheries. On a normal year, Pyramid Lake Fisheries will take up to 1.5 million eggs and rear 800,000 to 1 million trout for release. The year before last I personally helped spawn 600,000 eggs at the Gardnerville hatchery.
Check out this link from their website.
Thanks for the questions,
Doug O.

[Doug O]

Check out this link,
Thanks,
http://pyramidlakefisheries.org/depa...atcheries.html