Once, Lahontan Cutthroat Trout ranged up to 40 lbs in Pyramid Lake and swam up the Truckee River to spawn. And once Lahontans were found in most larger Eastern Sierra streams. But things have changed, and the Lahontan Cutthroat is now listed as an Threatened Species. Dams stopped their spawning runs, while the dominant genetics of Rainbow trout first produced "Cut-bows", then slowly erased the Cutthroat characteristics. And like Cutthroats everywhere, they seem more gullible to a well-presented lure. That all said, a Rainbow trout outfights a Lahontan Cutthroat, pound for pound, by a wide margin. Hence, you must catch a fairly large Lahontan to have accomplished something!
Heenan Lake is renowned among catch-and-release trout anglers for its abundant Lahontan cutthroat trout, a native species of the east side of the Sierra Nevada that it is listed under the Federal Endangered Species Act as a Threatened species. The Lahontan cutthroat trout has been eliminated from over 95 percent of its historic range. Cutthroat trout in the lake are a strain originating from Independence Lake north of Lake Tahoe. The excellent fishing for large Lahontan cutthroat trout warrants the selection of Heenan Lake as one of the state's first Heritage Trout waters. Heenan Lake is also used by the Department as an egg source for stocking waters in California and Nevada with Lahontan cutthroat trout. The Department takes up to 2 million eggs annually from the cutthroat in Heenan Lake. A few thousand yearling cutthroats, reared from these eggs, are stocked back into the lake each year.
To get there, follow Highway 89 South from Markleeville for 4.8 miles, then turn left up Monitor Pass. Keep an eye open for old silver mines and tailings on the sides of the canyon. As you emerge from the canyon, you will see an earth-filled dam on your right. Go another 1/4 mile and look for the signs and entrance on your right. The road is safe for passenger cars or motor homes.
BASIC INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- ONLY open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, CLOSED Monday-Thursday
- Season opens the Friday before Labor Day, closes the last Sunday in October
- Fishing only allowed from Sunrise to Sunset
- A caretaker (retired warden) checks for licenses, but you can't buy a license there
- You can fish from the bank, but most people use float tubes, canoes, or rowboats
- Bears have learned not all fish survive when released, so they frequent the lee shore. Be Alert!
- No services available here, other than chemical toilets. Bring food and water
- For flies, black or olive Wooly Buggers, Prince nymphs, Callibaetis, and midges are good patterns
- Lures, spinners, and plugs are allowed here too (with only a single barbless hook!)
- The fish feed in spurts. Fishing gets red hot, then it can completely stop. Be patient!
- The end near the dam, and the side opposite the launch area are most productive (I don't know why)
The original information for this page was reprinted from Dennis Morgan's website.
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