Truckee River Fishing Report | May 2026
The report at a glance
Presentation
Keep size 16 and 18 mayflies handy. Fish are keyed on spring Baetis in an 18 and March Browns in a 14 to 16. Caddis in tan or olive, 16 to 18, are around. Streamers earn bites on cloudy days. On the Little Truckee, an 18 Baetis is the fly of choice.
Lures and baits
Baetis, March Browns, and Caddis patterns are carrying the load, with PMDs and possible early Green Drakes on the way.
Water temperature
50 to 57 degrees, in the mid-50s feeding zone by afternoon.
Water clarity
Clearing
Water level
Glenshire stretch and canyon dropping, still around 800 to 900 cfs in the canyon. Little Truckee bumped up to 600 cfs near flood stage.
Advice for this week
Mid-50s water by afternoon is the feeding sweet spot, so time your day for it. Wade carefully in the still-high canyon. As flows drop, expect the early summer hatches to fire.
What is changing
Flows are dropping considerably in the Glenshire stretch and the canyon, still around 800 to 900 cfs in the canyon but clearing. The Little Truckee bumped back up to 600 cfs near flood stage, limiting dry fly there.
Next week
PMDs move in through June, and if you are lucky, big Green Drakes in a 10 or 12. Evening hatches are right around the corner as the water settles into prime summer condition.
Notable catch
A nice rainbow came down in the canyon on a streamer during a cloudy stretch.
The Truckee River is coming into prime shape at the end of May 2026. Flows are dropping and water temps sit in the mid-50s, the feeding sweet spot. Fish are keyed on size 16 to 18 Baetis and March Browns, transitioning to PMDs and early Green Drakes in June. The Little Truckee is in flood stage at 600 cfs, best on an 18 Baetis. The Nevada side is fishing well on nymphs.
How is the Truckee River fishing right now?
Really coming into shape. Flows are dropping in the Glenshire stretch and the canyon, and water temps run 50 to 57 degrees, right in the mid-50s Goldilocks zone where fish want to feed. Matt Heron got into a nice canyon rainbow on a streamer on a cloudy day.
What flies are working on the Truckee River in late May?
Keep size 16 and 18 Mayflies on hand. Fish are keyed on spring Baetis, seen almost daily, plus larger March Browns in a 14 or 16. Caddis are around too, tan or olive, size 16 to 18, with color not mattering much right now.
What is the fly outlook heading into June on the Truckee?
The March Browns will dissipate over the next couple of weeks and give way to summer PMDs and maybe early Green Drakes in a 10 or 12. For the end of May it is still Baetis and March Browns, but June brings the PMD hatch.
How is the Little Truckee River fishing?
The opposite of the Truckee. It dropped then went back to full flood stage at 600 cfs. Dry fly fishing is limited with few fish feeding on top. An 18 Baetis has been the fly of choice. As the water drops it should trigger the springtime and early summer hatches.
How is the Nevada side of the Truckee fishing?
Very well. Matt is running float trips east and west of Reno with flows and temperatures in great shape. Expect mostly nymphing with a little dry fly fishing if you get lucky. Conditions are similar to the California stretch.
Watch the full report
Truckee River May 2026 FAQ
Size 16 to 18 Baetis and March Browns, plus tan or olive Caddis in a 16 to 18.
About 50 to 57 degrees, right in the mid-50s feeding zone.
It is at 600 cfs, in full flood stage.
An 18 Baetis has been the fly of choice.
Summer PMDs and possibly early Green Drakes in a 10 or 12.
Very well, mostly nymphing on float trips east and west of Reno.
Be careful. It is still somewhat high around 800 to 900 cfs, but dropping and clearing.
