California Outdoors Hall of Fame
Inducted 2024
South Lake Tahoe · April to August
Lake Tahoe fishing charters
with Captain JD Richey
Light tackle fishing for mackinaw, browns, rainbows, cutthroat and kokanee, with some of the best views in the country.
Epic fishing, world-famous views
Our guided Lake Tahoe trips are a best-of-both-worlds day: chase lake trout, kokanee salmon and three species of trout on light tackle while you see Tahoe’s incredible beauty from a perspective most visitors never get.
We launch from Tahoe Keys Marina in South Lake Tahoe and often fish near Emerald Bay and the cliffs of Rubicon Point. Depending on the season, the target is lake trout (mackinaw), kokanee, rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout.
Light tackle is our specialty
Most Tahoe charters drag heavy gear. JD pioneered light-tackle techniques on the lake, so you feel every head shake. Casting, trolling, drifting live bait and jigging are all in the playbook, depending on what the fish want that day.
A morning on the water
Trips leave at 5:30 AM and return around 10:30 AM, the best part of the day on Tahoe. After a short seminar on the day’s techniques, the fishing begins.
Shared or private
- Shared trip, $250 per person. Buy a seat and fish with up to 5 anglers.
- Private charter, $1,100. The boat is yours, for up to 4 anglers.
- Larger group? Call and we’ll work it out.
Lake Tahoe trip info
| Season | April 1 to late August |
| Shared trip | $250 per person |
| Private charter | $1,100, up to 4 |
| Trip length | 5 hours |
| Departs | 5:30 AM, Tahoe Keys Marina |
| License | Valid CA or NV fishing license |
| Included | All tackle, bait and fish cleaning |
or call or text (916) 952-1595
Lake Tahoe fish species & seasons
What you’ll catch
Illustrations by JD Richey Sportfishing.
Lake trout (mackinaw)
- Size: Up to 20 to 30 lb
- Season: Year-round at Tahoe
The heavyweight of Lake Tahoe and the fish most trips are built around. JD targets them with light tackle, so even a 5-pounder is a real fight.
Brown trout
- Size: Up to 15 lb
- Season: Spring & fall
Tahoe’s trophy browns are smart and rare, and spring is when they feed near the surface.
Rainbow trout
- Size: Up to 12 lb
- Season: Spring & fall
Hard-fighting and acrobatic. Rainbows are a regular part of the spring mixed bag.
Lahontan cutthroat
- Size: Tahoe 3 to 4 lb · Pyramid to 30 lb
- Season: Tahoe in spring · Pyramid Oct to Mar
The native trout of the Lahontan basin. At Pyramid Lake they grow into the largest cutthroat on earth.
Kokanee salmon
- Size: Up to 2 lb
- Season: June to October
Landlocked sockeye that school up in summer. Great fun on light gear and even better on the grill.
Watch
Dawn on Lake Tahoe
See why you need to fish here. JD’s own point-of-view footage from a summer morning on the lake.
Our boat
A 26-foot River Wild built for comfort
A fully enclosed, heated cabin with plenty of seating for cold mornings, regular and live sonar, an electric trolling motor and a 9.9 HP Yamaha kicker. A 250 HP Yamaha V-Max gets us to the fish fast.
- Heated, enclosed cabin
- Live sonar
- Safe and comfortable for kids
From the boat
Lake Tahoe catches
Lake Tahoe FAQ
Lake Tahoe fishing charter questions
How do I book a Lake Tahoe fishing charter in South Lake Tahoe?
Book online right here, or call or text (916) 952-1595. Trips launch from Tahoe Keys Marina in South Lake Tahoe and run April through late August.
Do you offer family-friendly Lake Tahoe fishing charters?
Yes. Trips are fun, safe and beginner-friendly, with patient instruction and top-quality gear. Kids are welcome on every trip.
What is the difference between a shared and a private trip?
On a shared trip you buy a seat ($250 per person) and may fish with other anglers, up to 5 total. A private charter ($1,100) is just your group of up to 4 and JD.
What fish will we catch on Lake Tahoe?
Lake trout (mackinaw) year-round, plus brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout in spring and fall and kokanee salmon from June on.
What style of fishing do you do?
Light tackle casting, trolling, drifting live bait and jigging, depending on conditions.
Book your Lake Tahoe trip.
Pick your lake and your date and book it online in a minute. JD reaches out before your trip with the plan, the meeting time and what the fish are doing.