Date: 06/01/09
Contact: Chris Healy
Phone: (775) 688-1554

ONION VALLEY RESERVOIR TO RECEIVE STOCKED FISH

First trout stocking since 2006

Onion Valley Reservoir, a popular Humboldt County fishery, will be stocked with trout later this month, for the first time since 2006. “That is really good news for anglers who like traveling to this remote reservoir for the trout fishing,” says Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) fisheries biologist Jim French. “As soon as the roads into this remote area are dry and passable by a fish hatchery truck, we will be stocking 4,000 rainbow trout.” Onion Valley Reservoir opens to angling this year on June 13.

Uncertainty over sustainable water supplies has prevented NDOW from stocking trout in the reservoir the last couple of years. “We now feel that there is enough water for the downstream user to have their allocated share and still have enough water leftover to support a trout fishery, “ said French.

Repairs to the dam and the water outlet structure in late 2005 and early 2006 prevented water storage during the ensuing winter period. Some fish were stocked in the spring of 2006 but the reservoir went dry later that summer and when dry winters followed in 2007 and 2008, the popular fishery, once again, did not receive enough water to warrant trout stocking.

Despite its remote location, the Pine Forest Complex has been a popular destination for anglers from throughout northern Nevada. The popular trout fishery is located in the Pine Forest Mountain range near Denio, Nevada, and is part of the Pine Forest Complex of fisheries. Blue Lakes and Knott Creek Reservoir are the other “destination” fishing hot spots in the area, which is in northern Humboldt County near the Oregon border.

Angling opens at these high mountain fisheries on Saturday, June 13 and will close to fishing on November 15. Travelers into the area are reminded that drenching spring rains brought by recent thunderstorms have made the Pine Forest Mountain roads treacherous and difficult to drive.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.

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