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Truckee River Fishing Report | June 16, 2025

Report by Matt Heron
Matt Heron runs Matt Heron Fly Fishing and guides the Truckee River.
What is working right now

The Truckee River is in near-perfect summer shape in mid-June 2025, with flows dropping and water temps in the 50s to low 60s. Bugs are everywhere: Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies, PMDs, caddis, and Green Drakes. A size 16 PMD emerger is a go-to on top. Fish are eating on every technique, from dry-dropper to Euro nymphing. Pack a thermometer.

What is the Truckee River fishing like right now?

Excellent. Matt Heron reports flows, color, and temperatures are just about perfect throughout the entire system from Lake Tahoe down to Boca. Water temps have been in the 50s all day, creeping into the low 60s by evening. Fish are eating on nearly every technique right now.

What bugs and flies are working on the Truckee River?

Big Golden Stones just started, Yellow Sallies and PMDs are everywhere, caddis run size 20 to 14, and Green Drakes started this week. A size 16 PMD emerger is a go-to on top. These are fly patterns rather than products we carry, so match them locally.

What techniques are producing on the Truckee River?

Just about everything: bobber fishing, dry-dropper, dry fly, Trout Spey, and Euro nymphing. There are tons of fish in the bubbles right now, so working the fast water pays off. The Green Drakes are big enough to bring quality fish to the top, so do not be afraid to blind cast a big dry.

What are the water temperatures on the Truckee River?

Temps have been in the 50s almost all day, creeping into the low 60s in the late afternoon and evening. Below Boca the canyon is running around 1,000 CFS, high for mid-June but fishing great. Start carrying a thermometer, since the river shuts down near 68 degrees to protect fish.

What is the outlook for the Truckee River?

Conditions are prime now, but a hot week is coming, so watch water temps closely. Hoot owl closures near 68 degrees are still a few weeks off, maybe a month if lucky. The Little Truckee is running high near 500 CFS. Longer-term outlook was not specified in this report.

Watch the full report

From the report (Matt Heron): Flows on the Truckee are really good from Lake Tahoe all the way downstream to Boca. Temps are absolutely perfect, in the 50s almost all day, creeping into the low 60s in the late afternoon. Every bug you can imagine is popping. We are literally catching fish on every technique you can imagine: bobber fishing, dry-dropper, dry fly, Trout Spey, Euro-nymphing.

Truckee River June 16, 2025 FAQ

Is the Truckee River fishing well in mid-June?

Yes. Flows, color, and temperatures are near perfect throughout the system, and fish are eating on every technique.

What flies are working on the Truckee River now?

Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies, PMDs, caddis size 20 to 14, and Green Drakes. A size 16 PMD emerger is a go-to.

What are the water temperatures on the Truckee River?

In the 50s most of the day, creeping into the low 60s by evening. Carry a thermometer as it warms.

Do I need a thermometer on the Truckee in summer?

Yes. The river shuts down near 68 degrees to protect fish, so check temps in the afternoons and evenings.

What are the flows below Boca on the Truckee?

The canyon below Boca is running around 1,000 CFS, high for mid-June but producing excellent fishing.

Is the Little Truckee fishing well?

It is running high near 500 CFS. A dam maintenance project may cut flows very low later in summer.

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