1. Creel Chronicles
Volume 2, Issue 1
October 2012
Opening Day
Welcome back to another If we look at the stocking rates) and the high cost
fishing season at Pyramid rates over that same period, it of electricity, it is not
Special points of interest: Lake. We are all excited to is clear that we are currently feasible to keep the fish
see what the upcoming sea- stocking at a much lower in the hatcheries for as
 New Creel Surveying schedule son will bring. The good news poundage. This is due to sev- long as we used to.
is that there are no changes eral factors:
 Sutcliffe Boat launch opens This year we took a total 1.4
to the regulations or fees this
1. Lahontan National Fish million eggs from our spawn
fall.
 2012 LCT stocking plan Hatchery (US Fish & channel and from that we
Many people complained that Wildlife) has switched successfully hatched nearly
 Swimming Advisory update last year’s catch rates seemed over to rearing only Pilot 816,000 LCT. Early in the
down from previous years Peak strain LCT. It has summer approximately
 Pyramid Lake Store closes (especially from the shore). taken them several years 122,188 fry were stocked into
Let’s look at the data. Overall, to build-up their brood- the Truckee River below Mar-
the catch rate was around 2 stock, and as a result ble Bluff Dam. We currently
 AIS reminder
hours/fish; however, the they have not been able have about 670,000 three to
shore catch rate was 3.4 to stock very many fish four inch fish in our hatcher-
hours/fish, while the boat in Pyramid Lake. Their ies. By December we plan to
catch rate was 1.5 hours/fish. next stocking is tenta- stock about 220,000 each,
tively scheduled for Feb- four inch, five inch and six
Prior to the slot limit being
ruary 2013. inch fish in the lake. About
instituted in October 1991 the
18% of each size group will be
average catch rate was over 4 2. Pyramid Lake Fisheries
Inside this issue: marked with adipose fin clips
hours/fish. Between 1991 and has been renovating
and coded-wire tags. About
1996 the catch rates steadily their hatcheries, and has
20,000 fish will be held over
improved to 1.5 hours/fish, had to plant the fish at a
Angler Information 2 until spring for attraction to
and remained relatively sta- much smaller size.
Needed the Sutcliffe spawn channel.
ble until 2004. Since 2004
3. Due to the poor state of
Sutcliffe Boat Dock 2 the catch rates have slowly Written by Nancy Vucinich,
Opens the economy (resulting
crept up to about 2 hours/ PLF Biologist (stocking num-
in very low interest
Current Lake Elevation 2
fish. bers courtesy Denise Shaw)
Creel Schedule 3
Water Advisory Update 3
Pyramid Lake Store 3
Closes
AIS Reminder 4

2. Page 2 Creel Chronicles
Angler Information Needed
Pyramid Lake Fisheries and valuable information pertain-  Tag Number
US Fish & Wildlife are re- ing to the fish strain, age,
questing your assistance in stocking date, growth and
 Tag color
gathering information on survival rates.  Date/Location caught
tagged fish caught in Pyramid
Floy tag and placement on the fish This information will help Floy tag number will be a 6-
Lake.
biologist determine the best digit number (i.e. 000123)
We are looking for coded wire stocking strategies. If you there is also a phone number
tags and floy tags, both types catch a floy tagged fish and on the tag. The floy tag colors
will also have adipose fin return it to the lake, please will vary.
clips. do not pull out the tag .
Please call the phone number
The floy tags identify the Pi- Whether you decide to keep on the tag or turn in informa-
lot Peak strain of LCT which a legal size fish or if you de- tion at our Creel Station. If
are raised in the Lahontan cide to return it to the lake you are interested in the in-
National Hatchery in Gard- and it is marked with either formation on the fish we can
nerville by the USFWS. All type of tag, we would appreci- provide it to you, so please
Pilot Peak fish released in ate the following informa- leave your name and address.
Pyramid Lake are marked tion on that fish: * Some information and pictures
with a fin clip or floy tag. courtesy USFWS poster.
LCT being injected with a coded  Fork length/weight
wire tag. Fisheries personnel Each tagged fish contains
must retrieve this microscopic
tag.
Sutcliffe Docks Open
Pyramid Lake Fisheries Objects in the water, rem-
worked with the Pyramid nants from the old 1980’s
Lake Tribe to complete the docks are clearly marked or
The boat launch was Sutcliffe boat launch project. covered and a map of all ob-
This project was slated for stacles is clearly posted at the
completed and opened completion in December dock.
2011 but had some technical
in mid-July 2012. difficulties.
The docks are able to accom-
modate boats up to 24 feet
The boat launch was com- with no problems. Please use
pleted and opened in mid- caution when docking and be
Below are a few of the author- July 2012. This will ease courteous , keeping in mind Dock before obstacles were
ized fishing charters for Pyramid traffic at the Pelican docks. there are only two slips. marked
Lake:
Cutthroat Charters
Current Lake Elevations
George Molino
Phone: (775) 476-0555 The elevation of the lake for
August 2012 is 3802.5 feet
above sea level. The level has
Eagle Eye Charters
declined since the July high of
Joe and Sherry Mendes 3803.5 feet. Although it seems
Office Phone: (775) 574-0900 like the lake level has dropped
dramatically , it has only de-
Cell- (775) 224-9815 clined one foot since the June
level (high mark for the year).
Sorry, we don’t have a current
* Elevation readings are cour-
listing of all other authorized
guides for the 2012-13 fishing tesy of US Geological Service.
season.

3. Volume 2, Issue 1 Page 3
Creel Schedule
Our Pyramid Highway Creel on duty. Stop by when a Creel clerk is
Station will be opening on on duty and you have a
We are encouraging anglers
Sundays only on the week- chance to enter our $50
to use the self survey
ends this season. In addition monthly drawing! Give us
forms when the station is
a creel clerk will be on duty your fishing report and we
closed. These forms are lo-
one weekday each week, so will give you an entry form.
cated at both Nixon and the
should you be out fishing
Pyramid Lake station. One winner is chosen each
during the week, stop by and
month . Sorry guys but you
report your fishing efforts. Please fill out as much infor-
cannot enter on the self-
mation as possible and please
The weekday will vary so look survey. We hope to see you
feel free to leave your com-
out for the bright flags on the soon and hope you have a
ments, we want to hear your
Creel signs on the highway great fishing season!
opinions. Brad Stout 2/9/2012
which means there is a clerk
17 lbs.
August Swimming Advisory Update
In the midst of one of our This advisory urged caution ecosystem healthy. Swim-
busiest months here at Pyra- for individuals with sensitive ming in water with an algae
mid Lake, there were several skin and advised against bloom has been known to
reported incidents of swim- swimming in shallow, warm occasionally cause skin rash
mers suffering from a “rash” areas of the lake. but whether it was a contrib- “All tests have been
after swimming or wading in uting factor is unknown. negative for any
Water samples collected from
the warm, shallow areas of contaminants in the
the affected areas and several There has not been any more
water on several beaches.
other beaches were immedi- reports of “rash” since the water, therefore the
Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe ately sent to the State of Ne- initial reports. All tests have advisory has been
issued a Water Advisory no- vada water quality lab in been negative for any con- lifted.”
tice on August 3, 2012 and a Reno. All tested parameters taminants in the water,
group of water quality spe- met EPA standards for clean therefore the advisory has
cialist met to devise a plan water. been lifted. If you have any
that kept the safety of the questions please call
This was also the start of an
public in mind. An advisory (775) 574-0101 Ext. 19.
algae bloom. This bloom is a
was posted but the beaches
essential part of the nitrogen
were not closed.
cycle that keeps the lakes
Pyramid Lake Store Closes
The Pyramid Lake Store Wilbur took with him his throat Fishing Charter, Can-
closed it doors on July 8, expertise at fly tying and dec- non Repair and the Boat/RV
2012 after 30 years of opera- ades of fishing stories, which storage business.
tion. he told while sitting at his
“To All the fisherman that
table in the store.
Several factors influenced were not only customers, but
this decision by George and After reflection, Carla and regulars and friends, Carla
Carla Molino. Foremost was George decided to pursue a and I will miss you and wish
the passing of Wilbur Smith ‘normal’, 5 day work week. you tight lines and don’t miss
in Mid March, this left a big Carla now works at the that big one.”
void in the hear t of his fam- Tribal Health Center and
George and Carla Molino
ily and the business. George is continuing his Cut-

4. Pyramid Lake Fisheries was founded in 1975.
Dedicated to the recovery of the native
Pyramid Lake Fisheries Lahontan Cutthroat Trout and the
603 Sutcliffe Drive
Reno, Nevada 89510 endangered Cui-Ui to
Phone: 775-476-0500
Fax: 775-476-0558 Pyramid Lake and the lower
E-mail: nvucinich@plpt.nsn.us
0r smandell@plpt.nsn.us
Truckee River
Visit us on the web:
Send us your big fish pictures
and information and we will
include them in our next issue.
Like our Facebook page and pyramidlakefisheries.org
you can share your pictures
and stories on our page!
AIS Update
By following a simple procedure
each time you leave the water, we  Never release plants, fish or ties.
can stop aquatic hitchhikers. animals into any body of Some common hitchhikers are
Knowing which waters contain water unless they came from Zebra Mussels, New Zealand
nuisance hitchhikers is not as that body of water. Mudsnails, Hydrilla, Whirling
important as doing the procedure Be informed and take action. We Disease, Spiny Water Fleas, Round
every time we leave any lake, all need to work together to pro- Gobies, and various water plants.
stream or coastal area. tect our environment. Why is this Please take a moment and look at
Simple procedure: important? Because these hitch- the ANS Task Force and the US
hikers can: Coast Guard websites for more
 Remove any visible mud, information.
plants or animals before  Reduce game populations.
transporting equipment. Let’s keep Pyramid Lake free
 Ruin boat engines and jam of any of these hitchhikers.
 Eliminate water from equip- steering equipment. We have not found any of
ment before transporting. these threats in our waters
 Make rivers and lakes unus- but we are monitoring and
Aquatic hitchhikers!!!  Clean and dry anything that able to boaters and swim- hope that you will follow
came in contact with water mers. these simple steps of preven-
(Boats, trailers, equipment, tion.
 Reduce native species and
clothes, etc.)
degrade ecosystems. Thank you and have a great fishing
 Always empty and dry out season.
 Effect local economies of
live-fish wells after removing
water-dependant communi-
fish.