Nevada Fishing Reports
02-16-2008
Southern Nevada
EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR
Cold temperatures are keeping the ice thick enough for ice fishing. Anglers have been catching both tiger and rainbow trout on worms or rainbow PowerBait.
ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR
Water levels won’t come up until daytime temperatures rise, but anglers have been fishing through the hard water. PowerBait and worms are good choices.
LAKE MEAD
Things haven’t changed much in recent weeks. Fishing continues to be slow in the Hemenway area and along the beaches. Anglers are still using cut bait to take small striped bass in the Vegas Bay arm. One angler reportedly caught a 13-pound striper at B-5 Road following the trout plant last Friday. Roads referred to as B-5 or B-4 are those in the Saddle Cove area. Anglers have been catching trout following the NDOW weekly trout plants, however, at Hemenway the trout quickly scatter after being released into the water.
LAKE MOHAVE
Warmer weather has increased fishing activity at Willow Beach. Members of a local fishing club found the trout fishing to be very good during a recent outing. Shoreline fishing has been slow for striped bass. Boating anglers have done a little better, though the action isn’t described as fast. One fisherman netted a 30-pound striper near Placer Cove while casting an AC Plug. Rumor has it that the plugs creator, Alan Cole, reeled in 50-pound striper last Friday.
Here are some of the successful anglers from Lake Mojave. From left to right: Bruce Silat with a 42-inch, 41.46 pound striper, Chuck McMurry holds up a 36 inch and a 34.5-inch striper, and 7-year-old Lily Easter holding up a 22.5 pound striper.
LAUGHLIN
Anglers have been catching stocked rainbow trout from the Laughlin Bridge downstream to the Riverside Hotel. Worms and PowerBait top the list of bait choices.
WAYNE E. KIRCH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Anglers have been pulling rainbow trout from below the hard water at Cold Springs and Haymeadow reservoirs. The fish have been biting on worms and rainbow PowerBait have been taking the have been giving up limits of rainbow trout to ice fishermen using rainbow PowerBait. There has been as much as 12-inches of ice on the reservoirs, but with warming temperatures the ice on these reservoirs will melt fast. Always check conditions before venturing onto the ice.
URBAN PONDS
Stocked trout continue to provide anglers with plenty of fishing action at the urban ponds. NDOW will stock the fish through the last week of March. PowerBait, flies, small spinners and even white crappie jigs have been taking the fish. Bait fishermen should remember to use small hooks and only enough bait to cover them. Catch –and-release anglers should go with single, barbless hooks and avoid treble hooks.
Northeastern Nevada
Last weekend was nasty weather and dumped a lot of snow along with some pretty awesome drifting on our area lakes. Wildhorse State Park was snowed shut for 5 days before they could dig out. So don’t forget to take along “survival” gear in case you get stuck when you go out. Weather should cooperate this weekend, with the highs in the low to mid 30’s depending upon which lake you go to. Then in the middle of the week, some snow is expected, so get out today or tomorrow and get some fishing in.
ANGEL LAKE
I’m just guessing, but most of the alpine lakes are icing up and while this one is a bit lower, it is in shadow during the warmest part of the day, which is the afternoon and I wouldn’t be surprised if it isn’t starting to ice up. I haven’t been able to find out if the road is closed yet, but if we get some precip this weekend, I think this lake is done for this year. If you live near Wells, might be worth a quick trip but if you are coming from Elko or further, it probably isn’t worth the trip.
CAVE LAKE
Ice here is 12 to 14 inches of good hard ice. Anglers are catching limits of 10 to 12 inch fish through the ice using worms and worm/jig combinations when the weather cooperates.
COMINS LAKE
Not much change here as the ice at this White Pine County reservoir is about 12to 14 inches thick and anglers are pulling very few trout through the ice due to the decimation of the trout population by pike.
CRITTENDEN
Closed to the public.
DORSEY RESERVOIR
Water is currently too low to fish.
ILLIPAH
This area has a heavy snow load and some extreme drifts. I am not sure if the road open or not, so you take your chances. I hope to have better information next week.
JAKE'S / BOISE RESERVOIR
Fishing is good if you can get past the vegetation. Use a float tube or car topper to get past the weeds.
JIGGS / ZUNINO RESERVOIR
Little or no water and no fish.
MOUNTAIN STREAMS & LAKES
All of the alpine waters including Angel Lake are closed until next summer. Travel in the back country is not recommended at this time of year for the average outdoors person.
RUBY LAKE NWR
No recent report on fishing conditions, though winds have been severe and travel has been hazardous.
SOUTH FORK RESERVOIR
South Fork is a tale of two shores. The west shore is producing a few large fish, while the east shore is producing more fish but a bit smaller. However, even the occasional 20 inch fish is coming in from the east side, though the average is 15 to 18 inches, while the west side is averaging 16 to 20 inches. According to local angler Joe Gates, fishing the east side is producing limits in a morning, while when he fishes the west side it takes all day. Most anglers are using a combination of worms and PowerBait, marshmallows or corn. But the one common ingredient continues to be worms. The ice is still around 12 inches and there is snow on top of it.
WILDHORSE RESERVOIR
Snow conditions are fairly extreme here, though fishing should pick up. As of Thursday, there was 18 to 20 inches of snow on top of about 14 inches of ice. Then to make it even more fun, there is some slush on top of the ice under the snow. Needless to say, ATV travel is not recommended at all. Even when the snow depth was less than a foot, ATV’s were getting stuck in spots. It’s even a little tough going for novices on snow mobiles. However, before the storm hit, fishing had improved a bit with anglers catching more perch. The trick was finding them. So if you have a power auger and a fish finder, drill holes and look for fish before you start fishing. Your day will be much more productive. Most anglers are having success with small fluorescent spoons tipped with worms or mealworms. Fish right on the bottom for best results.
WILSON RESERVOIR
No new report, though expect some very bad roads if in fact you can get through at all. Conditions should be the same as at South Fork except the fish are significantly smaller.
Northwestern Nevada
No new reports.
BIG SPRINGS RESERVOIR
Water is dropping again. Springs discontinued to flow.
BOULDER RESERVOIR
Boulder is starting to freeze over.
CARSON RIVER
With cooler temps, the Carson has been fishing slow but anglers have had some luck near the broken dam in Gardnerville. Try using Casmasters in gold and if fly fishing try using midge patterns.
CATNIP RESERVOIR TRIBUTARIES AND OUTLET
Closed November 15..
CHIMNEY RESERVOIR
Fair to good fishing for small crappie and yellow perch.
FORT CHURCHILL COOLING PONDS
Opens February 9th, one hour before sunrise.
HOBART RESERVOIR
Closed.
MARLETTE LAKE
Closed.
LAHONTAN RESERVOIR
No Reports. Boat ramps are a challenge due to low water conditions. The lake has many hazards with the low water conditions, boaters be careful. Wiper action is still good with new State record occurring once again.
Reports of some black bass and walleye are showing up as well in several location near the dam. Try using spinner baits in white and Slugo’s in white. Fly fisherman try using Clouser minnows. This fishery is continuing to be a producer.
LAKE TAHOE
Anglers report Mackinaw fishing has been good to excellent. Anglers have reported fish in the double digits pretty regularly some up to 14 lbs. Try fishing in 110-120 feet using Flat Fish, Wiggle Worts and Hoochies behind dodgers. Some angler have picked up some planted rainbow in and around painted rock.
LIBERTY POND
No report.
MASON VALLEY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Open February 9th, any hour of the day for the following waters:
Bass, Crappie, North Bonds, Beaver Slough and that portion of the Walker River within the Mason Valley WMA.
Hinkson Slough same season as above. Limit is two trout and 15 warm water game fish of which not more than two may be black bass. Minimum size for trout is 16 inches. Minimum size for black bass is 14 inches. Artificial lures only. Come March 1st, it will be unlawfull to possess black bass between 11 and 14 inches in length.
PINE FOREST COMPLEX (Blue Lakes, Knott Creek, Onion)
Blue Lakes, Closed November 15.
Onion, is dry Closed November 15.
Knott, Closed November 15.
RYE PATCH
No changes. Fishing has slowed but remains good for walleye on the reservoir side of the dam as well as on the downstream side of the Pitt-Taylor Dam. Wiper fishing is sporadic and slow. Yellow perch and channel catchfish are still showing up. Try using yellow crappie jigs also some action on deep diving lures. Try a deep diving Fin Fin and Repala’s. Bait fisherman have had some action on the front and back of the dam using worms and minnows.
SPOONER LAKE
Fishing has slowed down due to lowering water temps. Those who are willing to endure the cold may have some action in the late afternoon after things have warmed up. Try using a red throated Mutuka or drifting midges in the wind. Set a strike indicator about 6 feet above the midge and let the wind if any drift the fly.
SQUAW CREEK RESERVOIR
Substantial fish kill over the summer. Recently stocked and warm water fish still in fair numbers. Due to cold climate, has also started to freeze over.
TOPAZ LAKE and CANAL
Topaz opened on January 1.
TRUCKEE RIVER
Chris Healy, Regional Public Information Officer, reports the Truckee is fishing great for whitefish. Chris has been targeting whitefish on the Truckee and has had great success in the Mayberry area. Chris says a gold ribbed hare’s ear is the fly to use but you need to drop it off something heavier like a beaded aggravator or large weighted stone fly. Chris reports the heavy fly is to get it down to the bottom where the whitefish are and the hare’s ear is the target fly. On occasion the larger fly will pick up a fish but it’s mainly for weight. If you catch a whitefish it is a very valued fish. Whitefish are the canary of the river, so please release them.
Also, the lower section of the river around Mustang has been producing good fish on various lure patterns.
WALKER LAKE
Fishing has picked up at Walker Lake. Fishing has been good to great from shore with spoons and powerbait. Boaters are successful as well trolling shallow. Boaters should use four-wheel drive when launching their boats at both ramps.
EAST WALKER RIVER SPECIAL REGULATION WATERS
No changes, everything is still about the same. Fishing remains good. Try using beaded prince nymph, Beaded Twenty Incher and dropping a second fly using stone pattern nymph or San Juan worms. Due to winter conditions, midge patterns should prove successful as well. Below the elbow area of the East Walker has been fishing good try using Broken Back Rapala’s and Blue Foxes.
WEST WALKER RIVER
It’s time to try this sometimes under fished water. Winter conditions might make fishing challenging.
WALL CANYON RESERVOIR
No new reports. Angler report fair fishing for rainbow and brown trout in 15 inches in length. Good fishing for smallmouth bass to 8-10 inch inches in length. Dark patterns work the best in the turbid water. Fishing is always good in the stream high numbers of brown trout. Be stealthy when you approach the steam there is no cover.
WASHOE COUNTY URBAN PONDS
Sparks Marina, and Wilson Common are great waters to try. Most urban ponds have received some stocking this time of year. Try out your new Christmas fishing rods on one of these urban gems. Take a Kid Fishing! Check out the latest stocking report.
Washoe Lake dried in 2004 and, although it is presently full and has been restocked, the fish population, consisting mostly of channel catfish and white bass, is small. Fishing is expected to be poor.
11-16-2007
EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR
Action for both rainbow and tiger trout is picking up with fall’s cooler temperatures. Anglers fishing in the early mornings and late afternoons should be able to catch fish with night crawlers, spinners or PowerBait. Woolly buggers in brown or olive should also produce bites.
ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR
Trout fishing has been good despite low water levels and some anglers have been catching limits of plump rainbows. The bass and crappie bite has slowed way down. For trout try mini marshmallows, worms, PowerBait or small spinners.
LAKE MEAD
The Vegas Wash area continues to be the most productive area of the Boulder Basin for striped bass and a few catfish. Anglers are also catching fish near the tires at Lake Mead Marina. Most of the stripers being caught are small. Anglers are finding some top-water action, but jigging and still-fishing with anchovies are producing the most fish. Cooler temperatures may jumpstart the action along the beaches. No report from the Overton Arm.
LAKE MOHAVE
At Willow Beach fishing pressure has picked up with the recent change in the weather. Trout fishing is still a little sluggish though shore anglers and boaters both have been reeling in a few fish with a smorgasbord of baits -- PowerBait, flies, lures and meal worms. Action for striped bass is heating up. One boater netted a 31-inch striper that weighed nearly 11 pounds near mile marker 53 at about 3 a.m. A 36-inch, 17-pound fish was pulled in just downstream from Willow Beach on a Castaic lure. Rumors are that are pair of 20-pound stripers were caught near the hatchery.
Fishing action out of Cottonwood Cove is still fair to poor though one angler reportedly caught several striped bass in the two- to three-pound range. Some success has been found by trolling and stillfishing at depths of 15 to 45 feet. Anglers are hoping the cooler weather will lead to better fishing.
WAYNE E. KIRCH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Reservoirs on the area are fishing well for both trout and largemouth bass. “It’s definitely a good time to come,” said Dana Johnson, area manager. Trout planted last fall and spring are beginning to show up and they have some heft to them. Fishing should continue to improve into the fall. Though temperatures have cooled way down, bass are still very active and taking baits.
URBAN PONDS
Recent catfish plants have provided good fishing action at the urban ponds. The fish are described as being “nice fish” and average about 18 inches in length. Go to the bottom with night crawlers, stinkbaits or chicken livers fished on a slip rig. Whisker fish will be stocked one more time in the coming weeks.
ANGEL LAKE
The lake level has dropped quite a bit, though there is no recent report on fishing conditions. However, this time of year fishing in early morning before the wind picks up appears to be the best. Damsels, mayflies, midge patterns and small wooly buggers all work. Flies such as humpies, royal Wulffs and Kaufmann stimulators may make for some good surface action.
CAVE LAKE
Fishing is consistent as always, you just need to fish in the early morning to beat the heat. Small flies, worms and spinners are all working.
COMINS LAKE
Fishing is poor for both bass and trout due to the pike problem.
CRITTENDEN
Closed to the public.
DORSEY RESERVOIR
Water is too low and warm to fish.
ILLIPAH
Like most northern Nevada waters fish during the coolest part of the day, the early morning and fishing should be fair to good. The usual baits are working.
JAKE'S / BOISE RESERVOIR
Very weedy, with some fish being caught if you can get past the weeds. Float tube or car topper is your best bet to get past the weeds.
JIGGS / ZUNINO RESERVOIR
Little or no water and no fish.
MOUNTAIN STREAMS & LAKES
Again, little or no change here. All of the mountain lakes that have been fished are producing well. Most anglers use small spinners, bait or flies. Royal Wulff’s, yellow humpies, Griffith’s gnats, hoppers and other terrestrials are all working. If they aren’t hitting the surface switch to prince nymphs, PT’s and hare’s ears. If you don’t own a fly rod, try fishing these flies behind a clear bubble with about 5 feet of leader.
RUBY LAKE NWR
With the cooler weather, it won’t be long before the bass fishing slows down, so now is the time to head here if you have been putting the trip off. Water levels continue to be a bit low, though close to the Refuge’s objective for this time of year. Trout fishing is slow while bass fishing is fair to good depending upon the day. Afternoon winds and thunderstorms have disrupted the fishing, though those who got out the day before the front came through this week did very well.
Some fish are being caught from the dikes, but for the most part, they are too small to keep. Anglers who know the marsh are catching limits, while those new to the marsh are catching a fair number of smaller fish, but not a lot of keepers. The same colors and presentations are working as always with black, motor oil, chartreuse and other fluorescent colors working. Flies include dragon fly nymphs, leach patterns, wooly buggers and bear hair streamers. The big problem has been the winds, so make sure your battery is fully charged or use your gas motor as the winds have been coming on strong in the afternoons.
Trout fishing is slow here while bass fishing is fair to good depending upon what time of day you fish. Early mornings and late evenings are still producing the bests fish, especially along the dam and the rocky bluffs on the west side of the lake. Fishing techniques are the same. For trout, trollers are use rapala type lures or flashers tipped with worms and troll 7 to 15 feet below the surface. The face of the dam and the western shore are areas to hit for both smallmouth and trout. Fishing the edges of the weed beds is also producing fish, but causing anglers to lose some tackle. Fly rodders should try mayfly spinner patterns and damsels first thing in the morning and large leech, streamer and wooly bugger flies on an intermediate or full sink line.
WILDHORSE RESERVOIR
With the cooler weather and wave action that the storm front brought, it appears that the fish kill here is over. According to Andrew Bass, Wildhorse State Park Ranger, perch fishing has picked up and a few bass are also showing up in the creels. However, trout fishing is still slow and will be for at least a week or so. The state park shoreline has been cleared of dead fish and the smell and flies are back to normal here. The only area where the smell and flies continue to be a problem are in the canyon at the northernmost end of the lake. The rest of the lake is fine. Perch and bass anglers are using the same techniques as they have all summer. For perch crappie jigs tipped with worms and for bass, crank baits and rubber gear fished along the bottom.
WILSON RESERVOIR
Fishing is difficult and a bit slow as the water level has dropped and the weeds have increased. Most of the trout are in the canyon in the layer between the deep cold water and the shallower warmer water with more oxygen. Trollers should go very slowly. Try cowbells tipped with a worm, spinners or rapala type lures. For bass, rubber gear in either very dark or very bright colors is the ticket as well as crank baits. Trout and bass have been mostly active in the early morning or late evening. Fly rodders should try damsel patterns, mayflies, leech and large nymph patterns. Along the shorelines with vegetation, terrestrials may be worth a try if the other flies aren’t producing.
BILK CREEK RESERVOIR
Fishing has picked up still very low but slowly stating to fill up. Should be receiving stocking soon check out up to date stocking report.
BIG SPRINGS RESERVOIR
Jim French, Western Region fisheries biologist, reports fishing has picked up. Good fishing with limits being reported. Water clarity and quality has improved and should really pick up next year.
BOULDER RESERVOIR
No new reports. While the aquatic vegetation makes things a bit challenging, anglers that can get out past the vegetation are still pulling in 14-inch rainbow.
CARSON RIVER
No Changes. Fishing is slow and flows are barely readable. .
CATNIP RESERVOIR TRIBUTARIES AND OUTLET
Jim French, Western Region fisheries biologist, reports great fishing at catnip lots of success with a potential to catch 14” to 19’’ fish. Closes November 15.
CHIMNEY RESERVOIR
No new reports. Although the fish are on the small size, there is still fair to good fishing for small crappie and yellow perch.
FORT CHURCHILL COOLING PONDS
No reports. Closes September 30.
HOBART RESERVOIR
Niel Murphy, Angler Education instructor, reports Hobart is slowing down due to colder temperatures. Fishing should improve this week. Surface temperatures where at 47 degrees. If fly fishing, try using a type III line to get down to the proper depth. The fish are feeding in 10’ of water. Try using a black leach or rusty crystal bugger.
Keep in mind this is a 4X4 road up Ash Canyon. Once there, you will need to hike down approximately ¼ mile but well worth the short hike. Don’t miss out on the limited days left at Hobart. Closes September 30.
MARLETTE LAKE
Local fly angler Jan Nemec reports Marlette is fishing great well worth the five mile hike or bike. Try using a black leach with purple hackle. Fish the North West rock area near the dam. Marlette closes September 30.
LAHONTAN RESERVOIR
No new Reports. Boat ramps are a challenge due to low water conditions. The lake has many hazards with the low water conditions, boaters be careful. Wiper action is still good with new State record occurring once again. Dan Hannum (below), went and reclaimed the record 7/15/07 with this 25 lb 6oz 36 ½ inch wiper also caught at Lahontan. The current world record for a Wiper in any and all IGFA line classes is a 27.5 pounder, and there have only been two other Wipers listed over 25 pounds in other line classes, before Dan's catch.
LAKE TAHOE
No new reports. Mackinaw or lake trout fishing has slowed down due to possible spawn activity try jigging for best results. Some anglers have been catching rainbows trolling shallow near rock structure but be careful of shallow rock with your boat.
LIBERTY POND
Fishing has slowed as the summer progresses.
MASON VALLEY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Closes September 30. No new reports.
PINE FOREST COMPLEX (Blue Lakes, Knott Creek, Onion)
Onion is dry.
The fishing at Blue Lake has been fair to slow.
Jim French, Western Region fisheries biologist, reports the fishing is stupendous. If you are fair fisherman you could have the potential to have 40 catch and release fish a day with many in the 18’’ to 24’’ range with a few even in the 26’’ inch range. Don’tmiss out on this fishery potential. If you have not been to Knott it is time to pack the 4x4 and check it out. The maroon Woolly Buggers and leach are sill the most productive fly. Midge (chironomid) patters have also been effective. Try using a strike indicator about 10’ to 12’ above your brassy fly or midge pattern. Let it drift in the wind and the action of the wind will induce the strike. Try Parachute Adams and Stimulators early in the morning. Remember this is a special regulation water. Limit is 1 trout minimum size 18 inches. Only artificial lures with single barbless hooks may be used. Boats must be operated at a speed that leaves no wake.
RYE PATCH
Jim French, Western Region fisheries biologist, reports fishing has slowed but remains good for walleye on the reservoir side of the dam as well as on the downstream side of the Pitt-Taylor Dam. Wiper fishing is sporadic and slow. Yellow perch and channel catchfish are still showing up. Try using yellow crappie jigs also some action on deep diving lures. Try a deep diving Fin Fin and Repala’s. Bait fisherman have had some action on the front and back of the dam using worms and minnows.
SPOONER LAKE
Shore anglers have been reporting some action where they can find open water around the aquatic vegetation that chokes the shoreline. Try using white spoons or black and yellow Panther Martins. Local Fly angler Austin Willis reports fishing remains good on the fly using black leach patterns in sizes 6 and 8. Some calibatis surface action try using may fly pattern. The chironomid patterns are still successful try using a Banded midge, blood midge, Brassy, or Griffith’s gnat.
SQUAW CREEK RESERVOIR
While the fishing has been slow, it is expected to pick up later this months as things begin to cool off.
TOPAZ LAKE and CANAL
Boat fishermen going deep have reported fair to good success on rainbow and brown trout. Although fishing has slowed, shore anglers have reported some success in the early morning.
TRUCKEE RIVER
The Truckee is fishing great. Jan Nemic reports the upper river is producing some nice 14’’ to 16’’ inch fish. Try using a weighted October Caddis pupa, or a small Cray fish as Trailer, dead drifting both. Pheasant tail have been have been working as well as Copper Johns. Lure fisherman try using Panther Martins in yellow and black. Check out the USGS website for Nevada steam and river flows. Flow is 323 cfs on 9/25/07. Check out the USGS website for Nevada steam and river flows.
WALKER LAKE
Fishing has almost slowed to a halt, although a few anglers are finding cutthroat by trolling down to 25 feet.
EAST WALKER RIVER SPECIAL REGULATION WATERS
Fishing remains good. Flow is 73cfs on 9/25/07. Local fly fisherman Kevin Wagner reports good success in the catch and release sections. Try using beaded prince nymph, Beaded Twenty Incher and dropping a second fly using stone pattern nymph or San Juan worms. Below the elbow area of the east walker has been fishing good try using Broken Back Rapala’s and Blue Foxes. Nevada steam and river flows.
WEST WALKER RIVER
Wilson Canyon has been producing the best catches.
WALL CANYON RESERVOIR
Fair fishing for rainbow and brown trout to 15 inches in length. Good fishing for smallmouth bass to 8-10 inch inches in length. Dark patterns work the best in the turbid water. Fishing is always good in the stream high numbers of brown trout. Be stealthy when you approach the steam there is no cover.
WASHOE LAKE
Washoe Lake dried in 2004 and, although it is presently full and has been restocked, the fish population, consisting mostly of channel catfish and white bass, is small. Fishing is expected to be poor.