What is the Nevada bag limit for cutthroat trout?

The Nevada daily bag limit for cutthroat trout is Pyramid Lake Lahontan cutthroat 2 / day under-19-in slot + 1 / day 24-in+ Trophy bonus (releases all 19-24 in slot fish mandatory); Walker Lake + Lake Tahoe 0 / day catch-and-release-only Lahontan cutthroat (extirpated / reintroduction conservation reaches); 5 / day combined trout statewide on harvest waters. The possession limit is Pyramid Lake 3 in possession Lahontan cutthroat (2 under-19-in + 1 over-24-in); 10 in possession combined trout on harvest waters. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

Do you need a license to fish for cutthroat trout in Nevada?

Yes. Nevada requires a valid fishing license to fish for cutthroat trout, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Nevada license — compare resident and non-resident Nevada fees on the state regulations page below.

Are there gear restrictions for cutthroat trout in Nevada?

Yes. In Nevada, cutthroat trout fishing carries these gear rules: Pyramid Lake: barbless single-hook + artificial-fly-and-lure-only required + no shore fishing 5 PM – 5 AM (October 1 – December 31); Live bait prohibited on Pyramid Lake + Lake Tahoe + listed Lahontan cutthroat conservation reaches; Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Permit required for Pyramid Lake — NDOW license NOT valid on Pyramid Lake ($24/day + $90/season tribal permit separate from NDOW); NDOW Fishing License + Trout Stamp required ages 12+ ($40 res annual / $80 NR annual + $10 res/NR Trout Stamp) for all other LCT waters; Confirm current-year Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Fishing Regulations + NDOW Fishing Regulations for season + slot updates.

Do specific Nevada waters have different cutthroat trout rules?

Yes. 4 named Nevada waters carry rules that override the statewide cutthroat trout regulation, including Pyramid Lake, Lake Tahoe, Walker Lake, and 1 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

Nevada Cutthroat trout 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi

Last updated May 30, 2026

Nevada cutthroat trout fishery is the historical type-locality + present-day stronghold of the Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi — federally Threatened ESA since 1975 + the country's largest cutthroat subspecies + the only cutthroat subspecies historically reaching 60+ lb individual size — the 1925 Pyramid Lake ~41 lb fish remains the largest cutthroat trout ever weighed (IGFA all-tackle world record), though the current NV state record (1968-onward) is 24 lb 12 oz Pyramid Lake 2005 (Tim Bayles) — endemic to the Lahontan Basin terminal-lake system in NV + adjacent CA, found nowhere else in the world). Pyramid Lake (188 sq mi terminal lake on the Truckee River — Washoe County — Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Indian Reservation jurisdiction) is the country's premier Lahontan cutthroat trout fishery — managed jointly by the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe + NDOW + USFWS Lahontan NFH Complex (Lahontan NFH at Gardnerville NV + Marble Bluff NFH at Wadsworth NV). The historically extirpated Pilot Peak strain Lahontan cutthroat (the original Pyramid Lake genetic strain re-discovered in 1977 in Pilot Peak Creek UT after being absent from Pyramid Lake since the 1930s collapse caused by upstream Truckee River diversions to Lake Tahoe + Newlands Project) was reintroduced to Pyramid Lake in 2006 — by 2026 Pyramid Lake is producing 10-20 lb Pilot Peak Lahontan cutthroat routinely with 20-30+ lb LCT landed annually, restoring the historical trophy fishery. Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Permit framework — 2 / day under-19-in slot + 1 / day 24-in+ Trophy bonus (releases all 19-24 in slot fish mandatory) + barbless single-hook + artificial-fly-and-lure-only + no fishing from shore between 5 PM and 5 AM (October 1 – December 31) + closed June 30 – October 1 statewide for spawning protection. NDOW license is NOT valid on Pyramid Lake — separate Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Permit required ($24/day + $90/season). Lake Tahoe (191 sq mi natural lake on the CA/NV line — Washoe + Carson + Douglas Counties NV) historically held native Lahontan cutthroat — extirpated from Tahoe by 1939 after lake trout introduction (1888) outcompeted the native LCT — no longer naturally reproducing in Tahoe — Pyramid Lake remains the sole stronghold. Walker Lake (Mineral County NV — terminal lake on the Walker River) is the country's most documented Lahontan cutthroat collapse site — salinity rose from ~3 g/L in 1882 to ~21 g/L by 2020 after a century of upstream Walker River agricultural diversions, Lahontan cutthroat extirpated by 1948 — NDOW + USFWS + Walker River Paiute Tribe Walker Basin Restoration Project reintroducing Lahontan cutthroat as salinity drops below the 16 g/L threshold. USFWS Lahontan NFH Complex (Lahontan NFH Gardnerville NV — Pilot Peak strain Lahontan cutthroat broodstock + Marble Bluff NFH Wadsworth NV — Pyramid Lake LCT release facility) is the country's only Pilot Peak strain Lahontan cutthroat production hatchery. Open year-round on listed waters; conservation reaches catch-and-release-only.

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Season

Pyramid Lake Lahontan cutthroat closed June 30 – October 1 statewide for spawning protection; open October 1 – June 30 with Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Permit; statewide cutthroat trout open year-round on listed waters (Lake Tahoe + Walker Lake LCT reintroduction reaches + listed conservation reaches).

October 1 – June 30Pyramid Lake (Paiute Tribal Permit required)
Closed June 30 – October 1 for Lahontan cutthroat spawning protection
January 1 – December 31Lake Tahoe + Walker Lake + listed LCT reintroduction reaches
Open year-round; catch-and-release-only on extirpated / reintroduction conservation reaches

Bag & possession

Daily bag: Pyramid Lake Lahontan cutthroat 2 / day under-19-in slot + 1 / day 24-in+ Trophy bonus (releases all 19-24 in slot fish mandatory); Walker Lake + Lake Tahoe 0 / day catch-and-release-only Lahontan cutthroat (extirpated / reintroduction conservation reaches); 5 / day combined trout statewide on harvest waters
Possession: Pyramid Lake 3 in possession Lahontan cutthroat (2 under-19-in + 1 over-24-in); 10 in possession combined trout on harvest waters

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: Pyramid Lake under-19-in slot + 24-in+ Trophy bonus; reach-specific quality + trophy regulations elsewhere
Slot: Pyramid Lake 2 / day under-19-in slot + 1 / day 24-in+ Trophy bonus — release all 19-24 in slot fish mandatory + barbless single-hook + artificial-fly-and-lure-only required + no shore fishing 5 PM – 5 AM (October 1 – December 31)
Trophy rule: Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi) is the country's largest cutthroat subspecies + the only cutthroat subspecies historically reaching 60+ lb individual size — the 1925 Pyramid Lake ~41 lb fish remains the largest cutthroat trout ever weighed (IGFA all-tackle world record), though the current NV state record (1968-onward) is 24 lb 12 oz Pyramid Lake 2005 (Tim Bayles); Pyramid Lake Pilot Peak strain reintroduction (2006-present) produces 10-20 lb LCT routinely with 20-30+ lb LCT landed annually; USFWS Lahontan NFH Complex (Lahontan NFH Gardnerville NV + Marble Bluff NFH Wadsworth NV) country's only Pilot Peak strain LCT production hatchery; federally Threatened ESA since 1975 — Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe + NDOW + USFWS joint conservation program

Gear restrictions

Pyramid Lake: barbless single-hook + artificial-fly-and-lure-only required + no shore fishing 5 PM – 5 AM (October 1 – December 31)
Live bait prohibited on Pyramid Lake + Lake Tahoe + listed Lahontan cutthroat conservation reaches
Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Permit required for Pyramid Lake — NDOW license NOT valid on Pyramid Lake ($24/day + $90/season tribal permit separate from NDOW)
NDOW Fishing License + Trout Stamp required ages 12+ ($40 res annual / $80 NR annual + $10 res/NR Trout Stamp) for all other LCT waters
Confirm current-year Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Fishing Regulations + NDOW Fishing Regulations for season + slot updates

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific Nevada waters:

Pyramid Lake
Tribal Permit required ($24/day + $90/season); 2 / day under-19-in slot + 1 / day 24-in+ Trophy bonus + barbless single-hook + artificial-fly-and-lure-only + no shore fishing 5 PM – 5 AM Oct 1 – Dec 31 + closed June 30 – Oct 1 spawning protection; Pilot Peak strain produces 10-20 lb LCT routinely + 20-30+ lb LCT landed annually
Lake Tahoe
0 / day catch-and-release-only Lahontan cutthroat (extirpated from Tahoe by 1939 after 1888 lake trout introduction — no longer naturally reproducing — Pyramid Lake remains sole stronghold)
Walker Lake
0 / day catch-and-release-only Lahontan cutthroat (extirpated by 1948 after Walker River agricultural diversions raised salinity from ~3 g/L 1882 to ~21 g/L 2020 — NDOW + USFWS + Walker River Paiute Tribe Walker Basin Restoration Project reintroducing LCT as salinity drops below 16 g/L threshold)
Truckee River
0 / day catch-and-release-only Lahontan cutthroat on listed conservation reaches; trout 5 / day combined on harvest reaches; Trout Stamp required

Official source

Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) publishes the authoritative 2026 Nevadafishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.

Visit official Nevada fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

Cutthroat trout closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to Nevada Department of Wildlife's emergency-order feed — check it before any Nevada trip during the active season.

Frequently asked questions

When is cutthroat trout season in Nevada?: Pyramid Lake Lahontan cutthroat closed June 30 – October 1 statewide for spawning protection; open October 1 – June 30 with Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Permit; statewide cutthroat trout open year-round on listed waters (Lake Tahoe + Walker Lake LCT reintroduction reaches + listed conservation reaches). Those are the 2026 Nevada dates; always confirm against Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) before a trip, because an emergency order can shift an opener with little notice.
What is the Nevada bag limit for cutthroat trout?: The Nevada daily bag limit for cutthroat trout is Pyramid Lake Lahontan cutthroat 2 / day under-19-in slot + 1 / day 24-in+ Trophy bonus (releases all 19-24 in slot fish mandatory); Walker Lake + Lake Tahoe 0 / day catch-and-release-only Lahontan cutthroat (extirpated / reintroduction conservation reaches); 5 / day combined trout statewide on harvest waters. The possession limit is Pyramid Lake 3 in possession Lahontan cutthroat (2 under-19-in + 1 over-24-in); 10 in possession combined trout on harvest waters. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size cutthroat trout can you keep in Nevada?: The Nevada size rule for cutthroat trout is Pyramid Lake under-19-in slot + 24-in+ Trophy bonus; reach-specific quality + trophy regulations elsewhere. Slot limit: Pyramid Lake 2 / day under-19-in slot + 1 / day 24-in+ Trophy bonus — release all 19-24 in slot fish mandatory + barbless single-hook + artificial-fly-and-lure-only required + no shore fishing 5 PM – 5 AM (October 1 – December 31). Trophy rule: Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi) is the country's largest cutthroat subspecies + the only cutthroat subspecies historically reaching 60+ lb individual size — the 1925 Pyramid Lake ~41 lb fish remains the largest cutthroat trout ever weighed (IGFA all-tackle world record), though the current NV state record (1968-onward) is 24 lb 12 oz Pyramid Lake 2005 (Tim Bayles); Pyramid Lake Pilot Peak strain reintroduction (2006-present) produces 10-20 lb LCT routinely with 20-30+ lb LCT landed annually; USFWS Lahontan NFH Complex (Lahontan NFH Gardnerville NV + Marble Bluff NFH Wadsworth NV) country's only Pilot Peak strain LCT production hatchery; federally Threatened ESA since 1975 — Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe + NDOW + USFWS joint conservation program.
Do you need a license to fish for cutthroat trout in Nevada?: Yes. Nevada requires a valid fishing license to fish for cutthroat trout, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Nevada license — compare resident and non-resident Nevada fees on the state regulations page below.
Are there gear restrictions for cutthroat trout in Nevada?: Yes. In Nevada, cutthroat trout fishing carries these gear rules: Pyramid Lake: barbless single-hook + artificial-fly-and-lure-only required + no shore fishing 5 PM – 5 AM (October 1 – December 31); Live bait prohibited on Pyramid Lake + Lake Tahoe + listed Lahontan cutthroat conservation reaches; Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Permit required for Pyramid Lake — NDOW license NOT valid on Pyramid Lake ($24/day + $90/season tribal permit separate from NDOW); NDOW Fishing License + Trout Stamp required ages 12+ ($40 res annual / $80 NR annual + $10 res/NR Trout Stamp) for all other LCT waters; Confirm current-year Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Fishing Regulations + NDOW Fishing Regulations for season + slot updates.
Do specific Nevada waters have different cutthroat trout rules?: Yes. 4 named Nevada waters carry rules that override the statewide cutthroat trout regulation, including Pyramid Lake, Lake Tahoe, Walker Lake, and 1 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

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