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Lacey’s Guide Service | Pyramid Lake, Nevada | Updated November 5, 2026
November fishing at Pyramid Lake, Nevada, is beginning to show a significant seasonal transition. After an October characterized by enormous concentrations of tui chub baitfish, exceptional trophy Lahontan Cutthroat Trout, and slower-than-normal catch rates, we’re now seeing important changes in both fish location and fishing techniques.
The massive bait balls that dominated much of October are becoming less prevalent, and Lahontan Cutthroat Trout are moving into shallower water. We’re now locating fish in approximately 15 to 20 feet of water, an important development as we transition toward traditional late-fall fly fishing patterns.
This movement has changed how we’re fishing Pyramid Lake.
For anglers planning their first trip, our complete Fishing Pyramid Lake Nevada guide covers seasonal patterns, fishing techniques, and strategies for targeting giant Lahontan Cutthroat Trout.
During October, deep-water Dangle fishing was an important part of our approach. With trout now moving shallower, we’ve transitioned away from the Dangle and are concentrating entirely on indicator and retrieve fly fishing.
Our current approach consists of approximately 80% indicator fishing and 20% retrieve fishing.
Although the number of bites remains approximately 50% below what we would normally expect, the quality of the fish continues to be exceptional. During October, Lacey’s Guide Service recorded more than 15 Lahontan Cutthroat Trout exceeding 20 pounds, demonstrating the extraordinary trophy potential of Pyramid Lake even during challenging fishing conditions.
For anglers planning a November fishing trip, understanding these seasonal changes is especially important.
November Fishing Conditions at Pyramid Lake Nevada
The most noticeable change as we enter November is the reduction in the enormous tui chub baitfish concentrations that dominated October. Earlier in the season, we encountered some of the largest bait balls we’ve observed in many years. These concentrations of natural forage were remarkable and influenced where we located Lahontan Cutthroat Trout throughout the lake.
Now, those massive baitfish concentrations are becoming less prevalent. At the same time, trout are moving into shallower water, particularly the 15-to-20-foot depth range. These changes are influencing our daily fishing strategy. Rather than targeting deeper fish with vertical presentations, we’re concentrating on indicator fishing and retrieving flies in areas where trout are now being located.
Despite the seasonal changes, fishing remains challenging.
We’re experiencing approximately half the normal number of bites, although the size of the trout continues to make every opportunity exciting.
The abundance of tui chub may be contributing to the reduced bite activity, but we can’t attribute the slower fishing to any single factor. Water conditions, forage availability, fish movement, and feeding behavior all influence the bite.
What we do know is that the fish are present, the quality is outstanding, and successful anglers need to adapt to current conditions.
Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Moving Into 15–20 Feet of Water
One of the most important developments in our November Pyramid Lake fishing report is the movement of Lahontan Cutthroat Trout into shallower water. During October, much of our attention was directed toward deeper sections of the lake where we encountered significant baitfish concentrations. Now we’re finding trout in approximately 15 to 20 feet of water.
This seasonal movement creates increasingly favorable opportunities for indicator fly fishing. By suspending flies beneath an indicator, we can target trout traveling along underwater shelves and other productive areas. From our boats, we can locate productive fishing locations and adjust our position as conditions change.
We’re not restricted to one shoreline location or a particular depth. While shore anglers can certainly benefit from trout moving shallower, fishing from a boat gives us additional flexibility to locate fish and adjust our presentations throughout the day.
The movement into shallower water doesn’t necessarily mean fishing will immediately become easier. However, it does create additional opportunities to target trout using techniques that are particularly effective during the late fall and winter months.
November Fly Fishing Techniques – 80% Indicators and 20% Retrieve
Our November fly fishing strategy at Pyramid Lake is focused on two primary techniques: indicator fishing and retrieve fishing.
With Lahontan Cutthroat Trout moving into shallower water, we’re now concentrating approximately 80% of our fishing time on indicators and 20% on retrieve fishing.
The Dangle technique, which was important during October, is no longer part of our current November approach.
These percentages describe how we’re allocating our fishing time, not the percentage of fish caught by each method.
Both techniques provide different ways to target Lahontan Cutthroat Trout, and we adjust our presentations according to daily conditions.
Indicator Fly Fishing – Our Primary November Technique
Indicator fishing has become our primary method as trout move into shallower water. By suspending flies beneath an indicator, we can control the depth of our presentation and target trout traveling along underwater shelves and other productive areas.
Balanced leeches and chironomid patterns are important components of our indicator setups. Balanced leeches provide a natural horizontal presentation beneath an indicator, while chironomids imitate aquatic insects that are part of the trout’s diet.
Successful indicator fishing requires careful attention to depth, fly placement, and presentation. Even small adjustments in depth can make a difference. With trout currently being located in approximately 15 to 20 feet of water, we’re adjusting our presentations to match the locations where fish are holding.
We don’t assume that one depth or fly combination will remain productive throughout the day. Our captains continually evaluate conditions and make adjustments as necessary. As November progresses, indicator fishing will remain our primary focus.
Retrieve Fly Fishing – Approximately 20% of Our Fishing Time
Retrieve fishing continues to play an important role in our November approach. We currently devote approximately 20% of our fishing time to retrieving flies, providing an alternative to indicator fishing.
Retrieve fishing involves actively moving flies through the water to attract strikes from Lahontan Cutthroat Trout. We use proven Pyramid Lake fly patterns, including beetles and streamers, and adjust our retrieve speed according to fish activity. A Popcorn Beetle paired with a darker pattern such as a Midnight Cowboy is one example of a retrieve combination we use at Pyramid Lake.
Retrieve fishing allows us to cover water and present moving flies to trout that may respond to a different type of presentation. Some trout may respond aggressively to movement, while others may be more receptive to flies suspended beneath an indicator. Having both techniques available allows us to adapt our approach throughout the day.
For November, however, indicator fishing remains our primary technique. Learn more about indicator presentations, retrieve fishing, and other proven methods in our Pyramid Lake fishing techniques and methods article.
October 2026 Recap – 15 Trout Over 20 Pounds
October 2026 was one of the more unusual months we’ve experienced at Pyramid Lake. From the beginning of the season, we encountered enormous concentrations of tui chub baitfish throughout the lake. In some areas, these baitfish concentrations were among the largest we’ve observed in many years.
The amount of natural forage was remarkable, and the size of the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout we encountered was equally impressive. However, the number of bites was considerably below what we normally expect. We estimate that fishing activity was approximately 50% below typical levels. Despite those challenging conditions, Lacey’s Guide Service recorded more than 15 Lahontan Cutthroat Trout weighing over 20 pounds during October. That’s an exceptional number of trophy trout, particularly during a period when overall catch rates were significantly reduced.
For anglers who dream of catching a giant Lahontan Cutthroat Trout, these results demonstrate why Pyramid Lake remains one of the most remarkable trophy trout fisheries in North America. The opportunity to catch a fish exceeding 20 pounds is what draws many anglers to Pyramid Lake. But it’s important to recognize that trophy fishing often requires patience. Even during periods when large trout are present, they don’t necessarily feed aggressively throughout the day.
October required persistence, careful presentation, and the ability to adapt to changing conditions. Those same qualities remain important as we move through November.
Tui Chub Baitfish and Changing Trout Behavior
Tui chub are one of the most important forage species in Pyramid Lake. These baitfish provide a substantial food source for large Lahontan Cutthroat Trout and influence where trout travel and feed. Throughout October, enormous concentrations of tui chub were a defining feature of the fishery. We frequently located baitfish while searching for trophy trout, and their abundance was one of the most noticeable characteristics of the early season.
As November begins, those large bait balls are becoming less prevalent. At the same time, we’re observing trout moving into shallower water. These changes are important because they influence how we locate fish and which fly fishing techniques we use.
We can’t say with certainty that the reduction in baitfish concentrations is directly responsible for the movement of trout into shallower water.
Water temperature, seasonal changes, forage distribution, and other environmental factors can all influence trout behavior. What matters most from a fishing standpoint is recognizing the changes and adjusting our approach accordingly. Rather than continuing to fish October’s deeper-water patterns, we’re now concentrating on indicator and retrieve fishing in areas where trout are being located.
Why Boat-Based Fly Fishing Is Valuable During November
November is an excellent example of why fishing Pyramid Lake from a boat offers important advantages. As trout move from deeper sections of the lake into shallower water, the ability to follow their movement becomes particularly valuable. Our boats allow us to access productive shoreline areas, underwater shelves, and other locations throughout the lake.
We’re not restricted to one ladder location or a particular section of shoreline. If trout are holding in 15 to 20 feet of water, we can position our boats to fish those areas effectively. If fish move or conditions change, we can relocate and adjust our presentations.
Our boats are equipped with modern electronics that help us identify underwater structure, fish, and baitfish concentrations. This information is especially useful during periods when trout movement and feeding activity are changing. With multiple boats operating on the lake, our captains can also share observations about fishing conditions and productive techniques.
That communication helps us respond to changes as they occur. We don’t fish from boats simply because we want to fish deep. We fish from boats because they allow us to fish where the fish are. During November, that increasingly means targeting trout in shallower water using indicator and retrieve techniques.
What to Expect Fishing Pyramid Lake in November 2026
For anglers planning a November trip to Pyramid Lake, the most important thing to understand is that we’re experiencing a combination of slower-than-normal catch rates and exceptional trophy trout quality. We’re still seeing approximately 50% fewer bites than we would typically expect. However, October demonstrated that the lake continues to produce extraordinary Lahontan Cutthroat Trout, with more than 15 fish exceeding 20 pounds recorded by our guide service.
The movement of trout into approximately 15 to 20 feet of water is an important development as we progress through November. It signals a transition toward the indicator fishing patterns that become increasingly important during the cooler months.
Our current approach is approximately 80% indicator fishing and 20% retrieve fishing. We’re no longer using the Dangle technique under the conditions we’re encountering. As November continues, we’ll monitor changes in trout location, baitfish activity, and feeding patterns. The reduction in the massive baitfish concentrations we observed during October may create different fishing opportunities as the season progresses.
Whether catch rates improve remains to be seen. What we can say is that the quality of the fish continues to make Pyramid Lake an extraordinary destination for anglers targeting trophy Lahontan Cutthroat Trout.
Guided Fly Fishing at Pyramid Lake With Lacey's Guide Service
Lacey’s Guide Service specializes in guided fly fishing for trophy Lahontan Cutthroat Trout at Pyramid Lake, Nevada. Our experienced, USCG-licensed captains use specialized fly fishing equipment, fully equipped boats, and modern electronics to locate trout and adapt to changing fishing conditions.
The early 2026–2027 season has been particularly interesting. October produced more than 15 Lahontan Cutthroat Trout exceeding 20 pounds, despite slower-than-normal fishing. Now, as November progresses, we’re seeing fish move into shallower water and transitioning toward indicator and retrieve fly fishing. Our goal is to give anglers the best possible opportunity to experience this remarkable trophy trout fishery while providing realistic information about current conditions.
Whether you’re planning your first Pyramid Lake guided fishing trip or returning in pursuit of a personal-best trout, understanding the lake’s seasonal changes is an important part of the experience. For information about guided fly fishing trips, current fishing conditions, and available dates, visit Lacey’s Guide Service at flyfishingpyramidlake.com. We’ll continue providing firsthand Pyramid Lake fishing reports throughout the season as conditions change.
← Previous: Fly Fishing Pyramid Lake October 2026
He is a United States Coast Guard Boat Captain and is now in his 6th year of fly fish guiding from a boat at Pyramid Lake.
Hans has learned throughout the years of guiding that the best way to navigate through the water to ensure every day on the lake is something to remember! “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” This is the core foundation of his company, Lacey’s Guide Service.
