Map of Pahranagat Lake

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History

Upper Pahranagat Lake is located on the Pahranagat Wildlife Management Area administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The refuge is managed primarily for waterfowl. Carp have been a serious problem for the lake over the years, which led to an eradication project in 1996. This project was proven only partially successful after carp were discovered in the North Marsh and Upper Lake.

Pertinent Information

The Upper Pahranagat Lake fishery consists of largemouth bass, green sunfish, crappie, bullhead, and carp. However, the lake was drained in 2008-9 and mostly carp and bullhead are caught. Some bass do exist, though. Anglers use plugs and spinner baits for bass and nightcrawlers for bullheads. The best time to fish is from April through June for bass and June through August for bullheads. Water records include a 9-pound 7-ounce 23.75-inch largemouth bass captured in 1985 and a 1-pound 2-ounce 13-inch bullhead captured in 1996. There are 12 campsites along the east shore as well as toilets. There is no potable water. A few of the sites have fire rings and grills. Summer temperatures often reach 100F, while winter temperatures at times drop below freezing.

Stocking

Future water management plans in the reservoir by the National Wildlife Refuge are unclear and the reservoir has not been stocked or will not be stocked this year.

Regulations

Season is open year around, any hour of the day or night. The North Marsh is closed to fishing during the waterfowl hunting season. Limit is 3 trout and 15 warmwater game fish of which not more than 5 may be largemouth bass. The daily and possession limit are the same.

Boating Regulations

Only boats without gas motors are allowed on the Upper Lake, middle ponds and lower lake. Electric motors are permitted. The North Marsh is closed to all boating, including float tubes. Upper Pahranagat is closed to all boating during waterfowl season.

Access

From Las Vegas, travel north on I-15 for 21 miles to US 93, then north 60 miles to the refuge. Upper Pahranagat Lake is located at the north end of the refuge immediately west of US 93, 4 miles south of Alamo. An unpaved access road follows the eastern shoreline of the reservoir and connects to US 93 above and below the lake. Portions of this road may be closed during nesting season.