Truckee River Fishing Report | June 30, 2025
The report at a glance
Presentation
Subsurface is king. Most fish are coming on hopper dropper rigs, Euro nymphing, and indicator or bobber nymphing. Dry fly fishing is so-so, good if timed right.
Lures and baits
Caddis in sizes 14 to 20 (size 16 emerger up top, size 16 pupa below), size 16 PMDs, yellow sallies and golden stoneflies with a Pat's rubber legs attractor, and crayfish patterns for bigger fish.
Best time
Morning is best, evening picks up, afternoons slow in the July heat.
Water temperature
Low 50s to low 60s depending on time of day.
Water clarity
A touch of color from the bumped flows.
Water level
Flows at the Tahoe City dam bumped up over the last week and a half; the Little Truckee flows are dropping.
Advice for this week
Fish early or late for the coolest water and the most active fish. Lean on subsurface flies, and do not be afraid to dead-drift, swing, or strip a crayfish for the larger trout.
What is changing
Flows at the Tahoe City dam were bumped over the last week and a half, adding water and a touch of color. The added flow spread the fish out and relaxed them, so they are far less picky.
Next week
As the Little Truckee flows stair-step down, the summer dry fly fishing should be right around the corner.
Fishing is good on the Truckee River in early July 2025. A bump in flows from Tahoe City to Boca added water and a little color, spreading the trout out and making them less picky. Water temps run from the low 50s to low 60s, so fish early mornings and evenings. Subsurface tactics win: hopper-droppers, Euro nymphing, and bobber rigs with a size 16 caddis or PMD.
How is the Truckee River fishing right now?
Fishing is still good. A bump in flows from Tahoe City to Boca added more water and a bit of color, which spread the fish out and relaxed them. Water temps run low 50s to low 60s. Mornings produce best, evenings have picked up, and late afternoons have slowed.
What flies are working on the Truckee River?
Every size of caddis is out, but a size 16 caddis emerger up top or a size 16 caddis pupa below the surface are go-tos. Size 16 PMDs are still around. For big fish, throw a Pats rubber legs attractor with a size 16 caddis or PMD behind it, plus crayfish patterns.
What techniques are catching Truckee River trout?
Subsurface tactics are producing by far. Fish hopper-droppers, Euro nymph, and run bobber rigs, all of which put flies under the water. Dry fly fishing has been so-so, good only if you time it right. Dead drift, swing, or strip crayfish for the bigger fish keying on them.
When is the best time of day to fish the Truckee River?
Focus on early mornings and evenings, when water temps are coolest and fish are most active. The morning bite has been better, evenings have picked up, and afternoons have slowed now that it is July. Keep an eye on temps as the day warms.
How is the Little Truckee River fishing?
Flows on the Little Truckee have dropped a bit, but there is nothing to worry about with dangerously low flows. Fish are starting to move up into riffles rather than only sitting in deep, slow runs, since that water is very cold. Fish the whole river.
Watch the full report
Truckee River June 30, 2025 FAQ
Flows from Tahoe City to Boca bumped up in the last week and a half, adding water and a little color. The Little Truckee has dropped a bit but is not dangerously low.
Water temps range from the low 50s to the low 60s depending on location and time of day, with mornings and evenings coolest.
If forced to pick one, a size 16 caddis emerger up top or a size 16 caddis pupa below the surface. Size 16 PMDs and Pats rubber legs also produce.
It has been so-so. Bug activity dropped a bit, but if you time it right it can be really good. Subsurface tactics are producing more consistently.
Yes. There are crayfish everywhere this time of year, and big fish are keying on them. Dead drift, swing, or strip a crayfish pattern.
The Middle Fork of the Feather, just north, has really good mornings, with tougher afternoons and a bit better dry fly activity.
Matt Heron of Matt Heron Fly Fishing.
