Planning a Pyramid Trip

Pyramid Lake’s remote location is a big part of the adventure. Pyramid Lake Lodge in Sutcliffe offers rustic cabins and large RVS that rent out as hotel rooms. The Ritz-carlton it ain’t. But it has a wellstocked tackle shop, a general store, and a bar and restaurant with all the character you’d expect of a place where chest waders pass for dinner attire. The bar scene gets lively each evening as anglers shuffle in still dripping from the lake, drinks begin flowing and the B.S. starts flying.

The lodge is the only game in town and books up early during peak fishing season. If you can’t get in, there are casino hotels and other options about 45 minutes away in Sparks and Reno. Also, Pyramid Lake Marina and RV Park offers hookups, amenities and services for those who bring their home with them. You can also “dry camp” anywhere around the western side of the lake, as long as you stay 100 feet from the water’s edge.

There are about 25 guides approved by the Paiute tribe for the 2022 season. Guides must hold separate permits to work from shore or from a boat, so most offer one type of fishing or the other. Anglers aren’t required to use a guide, but it definitely shortens the learning curve. I’ve fished with these three guides, and a complete list of options is available at pyramidlake.us.

• Todd Keller (shore), (775) 217-0592

• Ryan Dangerfield (shore), (435) 549-0358 • JD Richey (boat), (530) 307-9817