The cold, clear waters of Lake Tahoe are home to massive kokanee salmon and rainbow, brown, and Mackinaw trout. Fishing here is a challenge in the deep water, so most anglers opt to use a guide or charter boat. Dozens of charter companies offer daily excursions. Rates run about $65 for a half-day to $95 for a whole day (bait, tackle, fish cleaning, and food included). On the North Shore, try Mickey's Big Mack Charters at the Sierra Boat Company in Carnelian Bay (tel. 800/877-1462 or 530/546-4444; www.mickeysbigmack.com) or Reel Deal Sportfishing, Tahoe City (tel. 530/581-0924). On the South Shore, try Avid Fisherman, Zephyr Cove (tel. 775/588-7675); Blue Ribbon Fishing Charters, Tahoe Keys Marina (tel. 530/544-6552; www.blueribbonfishing.com); or Tahoe Sportfishing, 900 Ski Run Blvd. (tel. 800/696-7797 or 530/541-5448; www.tahoesportfishing.com). If you'd rather try your hand at fly-fishing, the Northstar-at-Tahoe resort (tel. 530/582-5393; www.northstarattahoe.com) has a private 10-acre reservoir stocked with hundreds of rainbow trout, reserved for catch-and-release fly-fishing only. Equipment is available for guests at no extra cost and there's a guide on-site daily to provide helpful hints.
