What special fishing regulations apply at Pyramid Lake?

Pyramid Lake carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Nevada's statewide 2026 rules, covering Cutthroat trout. One of them reads: "Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe jurisdiction — Tribal Permit required ($24/day + $90/season); NDOW license NOT honored on Pyramid Lake; Lahontan cutthroat 2 / day under-19-in slot + 1 / day 24-in+ Trophy bonus + barbless single-hook + artificial-fly-and-lure-only required + no shore fishing 5 PM – 5 AM Oct 1 – Dec 31 + closed June 30 – Oct 1 statewide for spawning protection; Pilot Peak strain Lahontan cutthroat restoration 2006-present produces 10-20 lb LCT routinely with 20-30+ lb LCT landed annually." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Pyramid Lake?

Yes. Pyramid Lake is in Nevada, so a valid Nevada fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Pyramid Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Nevada rules.

Do Pyramid Lake's special rules replace Nevada's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Nevada's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Pyramid Lake by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Pyramid Lake?

Cutthroat trout has a water-body-specific rule on Pyramid Lake, each linking to its full Nevada regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Nevada limits.

2026 regulation year

Pyramid Lake 2026 — Nevada Fishing Regulations

Nevada statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated May 30, 2026

Pyramid Lake carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of Nevada's 2026 fishing rules — covering Cutthroat trout. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

Get change alerts

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

State-level special regulation

Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe jurisdiction — Tribal Permit required ($24/day + $90/season); NDOW license NOT honored on Pyramid Lake; Lahontan cutthroat 2 / day under-19-in slot + 1 / day 24-in+ Trophy bonus + barbless single-hook + artificial-fly-and-lure-only required + no shore fishing 5 PM – 5 AM Oct 1 – Dec 31 + closed June 30 – Oct 1 statewide for spawning protection; Pilot Peak strain Lahontan cutthroat restoration 2006-present produces 10-20 lb LCT routinely with 20-30+ lb LCT landed annually
Source: Nevada special-water list

Per-species rules on Pyramid Lake

Cutthroat trout regulations →
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

Official source

Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) publishes the authoritative 2026 Nevada fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Nevada fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

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

Other special-regulation waters in Nevada

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Pyramid Lake?: Pyramid Lake carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Nevada's statewide 2026 rules, covering Cutthroat trout. One of them reads: "Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe jurisdiction — Tribal Permit required ($24/day + $90/season); NDOW license NOT honored on Pyramid Lake; Lahontan cutthroat 2 / day under-19-in slot + 1 / day 24-in+ Trophy bonus + barbless single-hook + artificial-fly-and-lure-only required + no shore fishing 5 PM – 5 AM Oct 1 – Dec 31 + closed June 30 – Oct 1 statewide for spawning protection; Pilot Peak strain Lahontan cutthroat restoration 2006-present produces 10-20 lb LCT routinely with 20-30+ lb LCT landed annually." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Pyramid Lake?: Yes. Pyramid Lake is in Nevada, so a valid Nevada fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Pyramid Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Nevada rules.
Do Pyramid Lake's special rules replace Nevada's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Nevada's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Pyramid Lake by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Pyramid Lake?: Cutthroat trout has a water-body-specific rule on Pyramid Lake, each linking to its full Nevada regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Nevada limits.

← Back to Nevada regulations overview