Q-Tip: Fish Pyramid Lake

Pyramid Lake opened on Oct. 1 for its 2000-2001 Lahontan cutthroat trout fishing season. That season will close on June 30.

HOW TO GET THERE: Take U.S. 395 north from Carson City to I-80 in Reno. Then, take I-80 east to the Pyramid Way Exit in Sparks. Take Pyramid Way and the Pyramid Lake Highway north for about 30 miles to the lake.

WHERE TO FISH: From shore or with chest waders, a float tube or a boat.

From shore: Try Monument Rocks, Warrior Point, Spider Point or Pelican Point, all on the northwest side of the lake.

With chest waders: At any of the above locations, plus at "The Nets."

From a float tube: Same locations as with chest waders.

From a boat: Troll the area in front of Pelican Point, the area between Pelican Point and Warrior Point, the area between Warrior Point and Monument Rocks or if your boat is large enough, travel across the lake to troll at places such as "Hell's Kitchen," Anderson Bay, the Pyramid, etc.

HOW TO FISH: You must fish with artificial flies or lures only.

If you fly fish, use large, black or brown-colored Woolly Bugger or Woolly Worm flies.

If you jig, use large, black or purple-colored Maribou jigs.

If you spincast, use rainbow, Chartreuse/black dot or yellow/black dot-colored No. 2 TOR-P-DO lures.

If you troll, use the same colored TOR-P-DO lures as above, but in size No. 3, or troll with large frog-colored Flatfish or Kwikfish lures.

WHAT YOU'LL CATCH: Lahontan cutthroat trout, up to about 15 pounds. However, the majority of the trout will be under 16 inches in length or between 19 and 24 inches in length. These trout are known as "Shakers," and must be release unharmed.

SPECIAL REGULATIONS: You must fish with artificial flies or lures only, and there is a two-trout possession limit.

You can keep two trout which are 16-19 inches in length or you can keep one trout 16-19 inches plus one trout over 24 inches. These trout are known as "Keepers."

SPECIAL NOTE: You will be fishing on the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation, and you will need to have a special Pyramid Lake fishing permit.

The cost per person is $6 for a one-day permit or $32 for an annual permit, and you do not need a Nevada fishing license or a Nevada Trout Stamp.

Those permits can be purchased at the small store just after you enter the Reservation on the Pyramid Lake Highway or at the Pyramid Lake Marina at Sutcliffe on the west side of the lake.

SPECIAL NOTE: If you are fishing from a boat, watch the far north end of the lake. If you see dust beginning to fly, immediately return to your launch area and get off the lake. Pyramid Lake is extremely dangerous and life-threatening for boaters when the wind is blowing.

FOR INFORMATION: Call Lex Moser of the Pyramid-Tahoe Fishing Charters at 852-FISH or the Gilly Sporting Goods Store in Sparks at 358-6113 or the Pyramid Fisheries Office at (775) 574-1000.