When is lake trout (mackinaw) season in Nevada?

Nevada keeps lake trout (mackinaw) open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.

What is the Nevada bag limit for lake trout (mackinaw)?

The Nevada daily bag limit for lake trout (mackinaw) is Lake Tahoe 5 trout in possession (daily creel), not more than 2 of which may be Mackinaw (lake trout) — under the CA/NV joint compact. The possession limit is 5 trout combined in possession at Lake Tahoe, not more than 2 of which may be Mackinaw. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size lake trout (mackinaw) can you keep in Nevada?

The Nevada size rule for lake trout (mackinaw) is No minimum on Mackinaw at Lake Tahoe. Trophy rule: NV state-record lake trout (Mackinaw) 37 lb 6 oz Lake Tahoe 1974 (Robert Aronsen); Lake Tahoe routinely produces 5-15 lb Mackinaw with 20+ lb fish landed annually on deep-troll downrigger + leadcore spreads — the introduced kokanee salmon forage base sustains the trophy fishery; lake trout (introduced 1888) extirpated the native Lahontan cutthroat from Tahoe by 1939, leaving Pyramid Lake as the sole LCT stronghold.

Do you need a license to fish for lake trout (mackinaw) in Nevada?

Yes. Nevada requires a valid fishing license to fish for lake trout (mackinaw), 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 lake trout (mackinaw) in Nevada?

Yes. In Nevada, lake trout (mackinaw) fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; downrigger + leadcore deep-water trolling permitted; Chumming prohibited in Lake Tahoe; Either a Nevada or California fishing license is honored on Lake Tahoe under the CA/NV joint reciprocal compact; NDOW Trout Stamp ($10 res/NR) required to harvest or possess trout on the NV side; Confirm current-year NDOW + CDFW Lake Tahoe regulations for season + limit updates.

Do specific Nevada waters have different lake trout (mackinaw) rules?

Yes. 1 named Nevada water carries a rule that override the statewide lake trout (mackinaw) regulation, including Lake Tahoe. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

Nevada Lake trout (Mackinaw) 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

Salvelinus namaycush

Last updated May 30, 2026

Nevada's lake trout (Mackinaw) fishery is centered on Lake Tahoe (191 sq mi natural alpine lake on the CA/NV line — Washoe + Carson + Douglas Counties NV — country's 2nd-deepest natural lake at 1,645 ft + largest alpine lake by volume in the lower 48), the state's only significant Mackinaw water. Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) were introduced to Lake Tahoe in 1888 and quickly became the lake's apex predator — out-competing and ultimately extirpating the native Lahontan cutthroat trout by 1939 (Pyramid Lake remains the sole LCT stronghold). Tahoe's Mackinaw are a deep-water trolling fishery — charter guides run downriggers + leadcore through 100-250 ft over the lake's deep basins, with the introduced kokanee salmon serving as the principal forage base. Under the CA/NV joint reciprocal compact (CDFW + NDOW), Lake Tahoe carries a 5-trout possession (daily creel) limit, not more than 2 of which may be Mackinaw. NV state-record lake trout 37 lb 6 oz Lake Tahoe 1974 (Robert Aronsen); Tahoe routinely produces 5-15 lb Mackinaw with 20+ lb fish landed annually on deep-troll spreads. Open year-round on Lake Tahoe.

Compare lake trout (mackinaw) regulations across all states →

Get change alerts

Watch Nevada Lake trout (Mackinaw) and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.

Season

Open year-round Open year-round on Lake Tahoe; fall through spring is the densest deep-water downrigger trolling window for trophy Mackinaw.

Bag & possession

Daily bag: Lake Tahoe 5 trout in possession (daily creel), not more than 2 of which may be Mackinaw (lake trout) — under the CA/NV joint compact
Possession: 5 trout combined in possession at Lake Tahoe, not more than 2 of which may be Mackinaw

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: No minimum on Mackinaw at Lake Tahoe
Trophy rule: NV state-record lake trout (Mackinaw) 37 lb 6 oz Lake Tahoe 1974 (Robert Aronsen); Lake Tahoe routinely produces 5-15 lb Mackinaw with 20+ lb fish landed annually on deep-troll downrigger + leadcore spreads — the introduced kokanee salmon forage base sustains the trophy fishery; lake trout (introduced 1888) extirpated the native Lahontan cutthroat from Tahoe by 1939, leaving Pyramid Lake as the sole LCT stronghold

Gear restrictions

Hook-and-line; downrigger + leadcore deep-water trolling permitted
Chumming prohibited in Lake Tahoe
Either a Nevada or California fishing license is honored on Lake Tahoe under the CA/NV joint reciprocal compact; NDOW Trout Stamp ($10 res/NR) required to harvest or possess trout on the NV side
Confirm current-year NDOW + CDFW Lake Tahoe regulations for season + limit updates

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific Nevada waters:

Lake Tahoe
5 trout in possession (daily creel), not more than 2 of which may be Mackinaw (lake trout); either NV or CA license honored; NV state-record lake trout 37 lb 6 oz Lake Tahoe 1974 (Robert Aronsen)

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.

The lake trout (mackinaw) rules on this page are sourced from Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW)'s official lake trout (mackinaw) regulation page.

Visit official Nevada fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

Lake trout (Mackinaw) 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 lake trout (mackinaw) season in Nevada?: Nevada keeps lake trout (mackinaw) open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.
What is the Nevada bag limit for lake trout (mackinaw)?: The Nevada daily bag limit for lake trout (mackinaw) is Lake Tahoe 5 trout in possession (daily creel), not more than 2 of which may be Mackinaw (lake trout) — under the CA/NV joint compact. The possession limit is 5 trout combined in possession at Lake Tahoe, not more than 2 of which may be Mackinaw. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size lake trout (mackinaw) can you keep in Nevada?: The Nevada size rule for lake trout (mackinaw) is No minimum on Mackinaw at Lake Tahoe. Trophy rule: NV state-record lake trout (Mackinaw) 37 lb 6 oz Lake Tahoe 1974 (Robert Aronsen); Lake Tahoe routinely produces 5-15 lb Mackinaw with 20+ lb fish landed annually on deep-troll downrigger + leadcore spreads — the introduced kokanee salmon forage base sustains the trophy fishery; lake trout (introduced 1888) extirpated the native Lahontan cutthroat from Tahoe by 1939, leaving Pyramid Lake as the sole LCT stronghold.
Do you need a license to fish for lake trout (mackinaw) in Nevada?: Yes. Nevada requires a valid fishing license to fish for lake trout (mackinaw), 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 lake trout (mackinaw) in Nevada?: Yes. In Nevada, lake trout (mackinaw) fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; downrigger + leadcore deep-water trolling permitted; Chumming prohibited in Lake Tahoe; Either a Nevada or California fishing license is honored on Lake Tahoe under the CA/NV joint reciprocal compact; NDOW Trout Stamp ($10 res/NR) required to harvest or possess trout on the NV side; Confirm current-year NDOW + CDFW Lake Tahoe regulations for season + limit updates.
Do specific Nevada waters have different lake trout (mackinaw) rules?: Yes. 1 named Nevada water carries a rule that override the statewide lake trout (mackinaw) regulation, including Lake Tahoe. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

← Back to Nevada regulations overview