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Pyramid Lake, Nevada, is a world-renowned fishery known for its massive Lahontan cutthroat trout. The high-desert lake provides excellent fishing year-round, but June is among the best months to catch trophy fish. This season was no exception—we landed some of the largest Lahontan cutthroat trout in impressive numbers. Few experiences compare to fly fishing for giant trout in summer gear, on a boat, surrounded by stunning scenery.
As summer nears, Pyramid Lake’s unique conditions create ideal opportunities for fly anglers. Warmer water, active feeding, and increased insect hatches lead to great fishing. June is one of the best times to catch a trophy fish of a lifetime.
Why Pyramid Lake Comes Alive in June
The Role of Water Temperature in Trout Activity
By June, Pyramid Lake’s water has warmed but hasn’t reached the extreme temperatures of late summer. This ideal range, typically 55-65°F, encourages Lahontan cutthroat trout to move slightly deeper, making them more aggressive and eager to feed.
Unlike in colder months, trout are more lethargic, but June’s conditions create a prime feeding window. During this time, they actively hunt for food. Fly anglers benefit as the fish eagerly pursue well-presented flies.
Return of the Bait Balls
June fly fishing at Pyramid Lake is incredibly productive due to the return of Tui–Chub bait balls. Watching these bait fish gather is truly a spectacle, similar to ocean scenes where thousands of fish school together for safety. The Lahontan Cutthroat trout take this opportunity to feast. Bait balls can sometimes span 20 yards in circumference. Remember, “where there are bait balls, there are fish.”
Why Boat Fishing is More Effective in June
While shore fishing at Pyramid Lake is a popular and productive method—especially in the cooler months—June presents unique advantages for anglers fishing from a boat.
Access to Deeper, Cooler Water
As waters warm, Lahontan cutthroat trout migrate deeper. They are still catchable from shore at dawn and dusk. However, using a boat provides access to prime spots where these trophy fish reside all day. Boats enable anglers to reach over drop-offs, submerged rocks, and deep troughs where large trout feed.
Increased Mobility to Find Active Fish
Mobility is a major benefit of boat fishing in June. Shore anglers are confined to one area, but boaters can explore. They find active fish across various spots. Some regions of Pyramid Lake are more productive depending on the day. Quick movement between these areas can transform an average fishing day into a remarkable one.
More Effective Fly Presentations
- Indicator Fishing: Boats allow for suspending chironomid patterns in deeper waters directly within the strike zone.
- Retrieving Streamers: From a boat, stripping baitfish and leech patterns in open water proves more effective. You can manage your retrieve and drift with greater precision.
- The Dangle Technique: Targeting structures and depths up to 50 feet is highly effective. Lahontan cutthroats often cruise along submerged ledges and drop-offs, areas typically inaccessible to shore anglers.
Why the Fish at Pyramid Lake Keep Getting Bigger
Pyramid Lake is known for hosting the world’s largest strain of Lahontan Cutthroat Trout. In the past decade, these fish have grown to record sizes, with catches commonly including individuals weighing between 20 and 25 pounds. Here’s why:
Reintroduction of the Original Pyramid Lake Strain
In the early 20th century, the original strain of Lahontan cutthroat trout, known for sizes over 40 pounds, was believed extinct. However, in the 1970s, a surviving population was found in a remote Utah stream at Pilot Peak. Thanks to extensive conservation efforts, this Pilot Peak strain was reintroduced to Pyramid Lake. There, these fish have flourished in their natural environment.
The Pilot Peak Lahontans differ from other strains; they grow more quickly, live longer, and achieve much larger sizes. Many experts think we are seeing the early phases of this population returning to its historic size.
A Rich and Expanding Food Supply
The massive Lahontan cutthroats at Pyramid Lake thrive on a protein-rich diet that includes:
- Tui chub, the lake’s main baitfish
- Perch and smaller trout
- Various aquatic insects such as midges, mayflies, and damsel nymphs
Thanks to Pyramid Lake’s robust natural food supply, the trout have ample resources to rapidly gain weight. This high-protein diet facilitates swift growth, enabling them to reach trophy sizes quicker than previously seen.
Conservation and Catch-and-Release Practices
Modern fishing regulations and conservation efforts are crucial in maintaining the lake’s trophy fishery. The catch-and-release approach adopted by fly anglers helps more large fish survive and achieve their full potential.
Lacey’s Guide Service, along with other leading outfitters at Pyramid Lake, teaches clients correct fish-handling techniques. This ensures that the fish are returned to the water safely, allowing them to continue growing.
Ideal Growing Conditions
Pyramid Lake’s alkaline waters create a distinctive ecosystem that promotes rapid growth in fish. With limited competition from other species, Lahontan cutthroats face little pressure for food resources. This allows them to grow at impressive rates. Additionally, the lake’s deep waters and areas of cooler temperatures offer a suitable environment for trout all year round, even during warmer months like June.
Why Lacey’s Guide Service is the Best Choice for Fly Fishing Pyramid Lake in June
Local Expertise and Knowledge of Pyramid Lake
Lacey’s Guide Service is renowned at Pyramid Lake for consistently helping clients catch big fish. Their extensive understanding of the lake’s layout, fish behavior, and seasonal changes positions them as a prime choice for anglers aiming for a trophy Lahontan cutthroat trout.
June is a transitional period, and identifying fish movements—whether along drop-offs, ledges, or feeding flats—is crucial. With years of experience, Lacey’s guides excel at recognizing these patterns and guiding clients to the most fruitful spots.
High Success Rate During the June Bite
We excels in June with their adaptive fishing techniques. Their guides know that this month demands diverse methods, ranging from indicator nymphing to streamer stripping. They customize each trip to employ the day’s most effective strategies.
Key factors that set them apart in June include:
✅ Mastering deep-water chironomid fishing, one of the best tactics for this time of year.
✅ Using high-quality boats to reach prime fishing zones that shore anglers can’t access.
✅ Adjusting tactics based on the weather, wind, and water temperature to stay on fish.
Top-of-the-Line Equipment and Comfortable Boats
Fishing with Lacey’s Guide Service offers more than expert guidance; you also get access to high-end gear. They provide everything from top-quality fly rods and reels to premium flies tailored for Pyramid Lake’s conditions. Their boats are outfitted with all necessary amenities for a productive day on the water, enhancing both comfort and efficiency. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced angler, using first-rate equipment and a well-maintained boat boosts your likelihood of success.
Personalized, Customer-Focused Experience
We focuses on delivering unforgettable fishing experiences at Pyramid Lake. Whether it’s your first visit or you’re an experienced angler aiming for a new personal best, they customize each trip to fit the angler’s skill level. Beginners enjoy patient, comprehensive instruction, while seasoned pros receive detailed insights into advanced fishing techniques.
Their deep passion for fishing and commitment to client success sets them apart as the top guide service on the lake.
Best Fly Patterns for Pyramid Lake in June
Chironomids and Nymphs
- Balanced Leech (black, olive, or brown)
- Zebra Midge (red or black)
- Ice Cream Cone Chironomid
Mayfly and Damsel Patterns
- Callibaetis Emerger
- Damsel Nymph (olive or tan)
Streamer Patterns
- Woolly Bugger (black, white, or olive)
- Clouser Minnow (chartreuse/white)
- Pyramid Lake Beetle
Final Thoughts About the 2023 -2024 Pyramid Lake Season
A Record-Breaking Season
The 2024-2025 Pyramid Lake fishing season has concluded, and it was an extraordinary season for Lacey’s Guide Service. Adding an extra boat and Captain Brett proved to be a wise decision. This expansion allowed us to serve more clients effectively. The enhanced synergy and communication between us significantly increased our catch rates.
With the ability to cover more water simultaneously, we not only discovered new fishing spots but also provided our clients with more and larger fish. This season truly showcased our team’s capability and commitment to excellence.
Bigger Fish This Year
Right from the season’s start in October, we noticed that the fish were growing larger, especially by June. This season, we experienced significantly more days catching fish over 20 lbs than in previous years. Additionally, we caught one remarkable fish weighing in at 27 lbs.
Looking Ahead: What to Expect Next Season
For shore fishermen at Pyramid Lake, it was somewhat of a down year. They didn’t encounter the usual numbers of fish. In contrast, our guide service, operating from boats, experienced quite the opposite. We caught notably higher numbers of fish, and they were larger than those in previous years.
Up until four years ago, Pyramid Lake was stocked with about 1 million Lahontan Cutthroat Trout annually, split evenly between the Pilot Peak and Summit strains. However, for nearly four years, there has been no stocking of the Summit Strain. Both the National Lahontan Cutthroat Fish Hatchery and the local Pyramid Lake Fish Hatchery have shifted their focus solely to the Pilot Peak strain. This strain more closely resembles the lake’s original fish population and continues to be stocked at a rate of nearly 500,000 a year.
What This Means for Anglers
We believe that not stocking the Summit Strain, which typically spawns in shallower shore areas than the Pilot Peaks, contributed to the poorer results for shore fishermen last season. However, having fewer fish in the lake had a notable upside—more available food per fish, leading to larger sizes. Not only did the Pilot Peak strain grow larger, but so did the Summit strain. While Summit trout usually don’t grow beyond 10 lbs, this year we caught many exceeding that size, with some reaching up to 16 lbs.
We are enthusiastic about the upcoming season. Based on our successful experiences last season, we are optimistic about achieving even greater success in the future. We anticipate the fish will continue to grow larger, and we’re aiming high—perhaps a 30 lbs fish next year. Don’t count us out just yet; time will tell how big they’ll get!
Can’t wait to see what next season will bring – October 2024 is only a few months away.
Book a Guided Trip with Lacey’s Guide Service Today
Final Thoughts: Plan Your Trip to Pyramid Lake
If you’re aiming to catch a trophy Lahontan cutthroat trout, June is an excellent month to visit Pyramid Lake. While the lake itself offers fantastic opportunities, partnering with an expert guide like Lacey’s Guide Service can significantly enhance your experience. Their local expertise, high success rates, superior boats, and customer-centered service set them apart.
Choose Lacey’s Guide Service for top-notch fly fishing at Pyramid Lake in June. Don’t miss out on some of the best fishing the season has to offer — book your guided trip today.
Hans is a United States Coast Guard Boat Captain and is now in his 4th 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.
