Incline Lake in Washoe County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Incline Lake belongs to Washoe County, Nevada. The surroundings are mixed woodland. Supplies mean a trip to Incline Village, 3.9 miles off. Reno sits 17 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. If this one is busy: Mud Lake near enough 1.4 miles, Tamarack Lake 1.9 miles, Upper Price Lake near enough 2.7 miles, Rock Lake 3.4 miles and Hidden Lake near enough 3.7 miles. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Incline Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Fish documented in Washoe County include tahoe sucker, great basin cutthroat trout and rainbow trout. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Incline Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put August at about 59°F and February near 27°F. Mild ends to the year keep the season long. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. Incline Lake fishes to that pattern most years. Falling water concentrates fish into the deeper parts.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Recorded parking is half a mile off, far enough to travel light. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Mud Lake sits 1.4 miles off and takes the overflow. For Incline Lake in particular, ask before you travel.