Pyramid Lake in northern Nevada is home to the Lahontan cutthroat, one of the biggest trout in North America. Jigs are one of the simplest ways to catch them, from a beach, a ladder or a boat. This guide covers the rules you need to know, which jig to tie on, and how to fish it.
Pyramid Lake fishing rules for jig anglers
Pyramid Lake sits on the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation, so the Tribe sets the rules. The main points from the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe fishing page:
- Season: Lahontan cutthroat season runs October 1 through June 30. The 2026 season opened October 1.
- Permit: you need a Tribal fishing permit, not a Nevada fishing license. Permits can be bought online.
- Barbless hooks only. The rule applies to what's in the water, not what's in your tackle box.
- No bait or scent. No worms, eggs, scent or similar products on your hooks. Artificial lures like jigs are fine.
- Slot limit: keepers are 17 to 20 inches or over 24 inches. You can keep two of the smaller size, or one of each.
Rules can change, so check the Tribe's page before every trip.
Make your jig barbless
Zig Jigs come with a barbed hook, so make it barbless before you fish Pyramid. It takes a few seconds and doesn't change how the jig falls. You have two easy options:
- Pliers: pinch the barb flat. Our barbless jig guide shows how.
- A battery-powered Dremel: some guides keep one in the boat to grind the barb off in seconds, which makes it easy to prep a whole box of jigs. Go lightly so you don't weaken the hook, and keep the point sharp.
The best jig for Pyramid Lake
Our customers use the Super HD Zig Jig at Pyramid, and every Pyramid Lake fish in our gallery was caught on one. Lahontan cutthroat are big, strong fish in big, deep water, and the Super HD was built for that:
- Heavier heads: 1/4 oz, 3/8 oz and 1/2 oz. They cast a long way and get down fast, even in wind.
- 2x steel hooks: a 1/0 on the 1/4 and 3/8 oz and a 2/0 on the 1/2 oz, so a heavy fish won't straighten the hook.
- The Zig Jig fall: the offset head zig-zags like wounded prey as it falls instead of dropping straight down. That keeps it in the strike zone longer, and about 90% of our strikes come on the fall.
What size?
Start with the 1/4 oz from the beach or a ladder when the wind is calm. Go to the 3/8 or 1/2 oz when the wind picks up, when you need extra distance to reach a drop-off, or when you're fishing deep from a boat.
What color?
Black is a long-time favorite at Pyramid. Lacey's Guide Service lists black and purple as traditionally productive jig colors. The Super HD comes in black, white/gray, white/chartreuse and red/white in all sizes, and the 3/8 oz adds ginger and several olive blends. Bring a dark color and a light one and let the fish decide.
How to fish a jig from the beach or a ladder
Most shore anglers fish the beaches on the lake's west side, and many wade out and stand on ladders to reach deeper water near a drop-off. Cast toward the deeper water and use the same pop-and-drop retrieve that works on every Zig Jig:
- Cast out past the drop-off.
- Let it sink on a slack line. Count it down so you can repeat the depth once you get bit.
- Pop the rod tip to lift the jig, then drop the tip and reel up the slack as it falls again.
- Watch your line on every fall. If it jumps, stops or moves sideways, set the hook.
Lahontan cutthroat often cruise the drop-off, so cover water. Fan your casts out, and change your count-down until you find the depth they're holding at.
How to fish a jig from a boat
From a boat you can reach water shore anglers can't. Find fish or bait on your electronics, drop the jig to that depth, and work it with short lifts and controlled drops. Stay ready on every fall, because that's when most cutthroat hit. If the fish move up or down, move your jig with them.
Bring a strong enough setup
A Pyramid cutthroat can make long, hard runs. Use a rod with enough backbone to cast a 1/4 to 1/2 oz jig a long way, keep your drag set smooth, and check your knot and hook point after every fish. The 2x hook will hold, but a dull point loses fish on a barbless hook.
Not just Pyramid
The same jig works on other big-fish water. Customers have caught lake trout in Utah and salmon in Alaska on the Super HD, and on the nearby Truckee River a 1/4 oz black Zig Jig has been working for Alex. The Truckee is under Nevada state rules, not the Tribe's, so check those regulations separately.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Nevada fishing license at Pyramid Lake?
No. You need a Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe fishing permit instead, which you can buy online.
Can I use a jig with a barbed hook at Pyramid Lake?
No. Only barbless hooks are allowed in the water. Pinch the barb on your Zig Jig flat before you fish.
When is Pyramid Lake trout season?
October 1 through June 30. Check the Tribe's fishing page for any changes.
What size jig should I use at Pyramid Lake?
Start with a 1/4 oz Super HD. Move up to the 3/8 or 1/2 oz for wind, longer casts or deeper water.
Where can I buy Super HD Zig Jigs?
Right here. The Super HD is sold by the dozen and ships from Missouri. See every size and color.