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 Fishing
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Fish Nevada
Fishing Report
Available fishing reports are generally updated
weekly for southern Nevada. Reports for northwest and northeast
Nevada will be posted as made available.
USGS Link for Nevada
stream and river flows.
Southern Nevada
QUAGGA REMINDER: NDOW is asking boaters to take
the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of quagga mussels
from the Colorado River system to other waters. Thoroughly clean,
drain and dry your boat, trailer and towing vessel before traveling
to another water.
EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR
Weeds have become a nuisance for anglers who are fishing off the bottom. The technique here is to use a long leader attached to a bobber to sink just above the weeds. Successful baits have been PowerBait, worms, lures and flies.
ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR
Just like Eagle Valley, PowerBait, worms, lures, and flies suspended or retrieved above the weeds are the baits of choice for rainbow trout. Multicolored buggers are still producing good sized crappie.
LAKE MEAD
Both boating and shore anglers have been catching stripers at Boulder Beach using anchovies and live shad. Fishing for stripers in the Vegas Arm has been good for anglers using top-water lures. Anglers have reported good success in the upper basins for largemouth and smallies. Best time for stripers has been in the morning before the winds come or late afternoon.
LAKE MOHAVE
Fishing out of Cottonwood Cove has fallen off and is considered only fair to poor with many anglers coming home skunked. There are some reports of stripers and catfish taking anchovies but those are spotty. Consider throwing jigs and worms into cover for largemouth and smallmouth bass. Near Willow Beach trout fishing has slowed though morning hours following the federal trout plants are generally a good time to fish. Trout have been hitting on PowerBait, spinners, jigs, and Super Dupers. Striper and largemouth bass fishing continues to be slow.
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| Here are some of the successful
anglers from Lake Mojave. From left to right: Bruce Silat
with a 42-inch, 41.46 pound striper, Gavin holds up the fish
he pulled in at Willow Beach. |
LAUGHLIN
Fishing was good over the weekend at Big Bend State Park. Fly
anglers did well with streamer patterns for stripers and largemouth
bass.
WAYNE E. KIRCH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
AREA
Persistent anglers are catching largemouth bass out of the weeds. One lucky angler recently netted an eight-pound bucketmouth. Upon seeing a picture of the fish, Area Manager Dana Johnson exclaimed, “Now that’s what I’m talking about.”
URBAN PONDS
For the recent plants of catfish, night crawlers, chicken liver and stink baits fished on the bottom should produce fish. Sunfish and bass should be good throughout the summer.
Northeastern Nevada
This time of year trout fishing on our reservoirs is dropping off and bass fishing is picking up as the water temperatures warm up. With the unusually wet and cold weather of the first half of June, trout are still being caught. With the high pressure system moving in and the warmer days, the bass bite is coming on pretty good as well. So the earlier disruptive weather pattern is producing a bit of a benefit now with good fishing for both trout and bass. Water temperature is the key and I will talk more about that next week as it becomes more important with the warmer weather. Let’s talk bass a bit. This time of year the bass are moving off of their beds and into deeper water and anglers that know where to fish have more success. Look around the edges of traditional spawning areas on both South Fork and Wildhorse and start working into deeper water until you find them. Look for ambush zones. These are areas where the larger, slower bass can hold waiting for smaller faster prey species. Where polarized glasses and look for differences in color in the water as you move off of the spawning areas. These color changes often represent structure where bass can wait in ambush for their food.
Parents, reserve July 18th on your calendar for the 19th annual Angel Lake Kids Fishing Derby. This free popular annual event is held at the beautiful alpine lake just a few miles out of Wells and includes educational booths, great fishing, lots of prizes and a free lunch for all participants and their families. Registration will start at 7:30 a.m. and the fishing begins at 8:30. When it is 90 degrees in Elko it is generally 80 up at Angel. So beat the heat and bring the kids out to Angel Lake on July 18th.
ANGEL LAKE
 Fishing is good here as anglers have been catching limits using worms. Fly rodders should try small crystal buggers, nymphs and small streamers. Dry flies such as renegades, red and yellow humpies and royal coachman should start working as the weather warms up.
CAVE LAKE
Fishing is fair to good and anglers can expect to catch occasional limits of 8 to 10 inch fish using any number of presentations including worms, PowerBait, small spinners, crystal buggers and nymphs.
COMINS LAKE
A few bass have been showing up, but no trout due to the pike infestation. Pike fishing has also been poor. There are few if any trout left in the lake also due to the pike infestation.
ILLIPAH
The road is drying out and access has improved. The water level is very low, though fishing has been good and anglers can expect to catch fish in the 10 to 16 inch size. This time of year the usual nymphs such as zug bugs, PT’s, prince and hare’s ear all work. Of course don’t forget the go to fly: olive or black wooly buggers. Bait anglers were having luck from shore using garden hackle. Spin fisherman should give brightly colored spinners, rapalas and rubber jigs a shot.
JAKE'S / BOISE RESERVOIR
The water level is starting to drop and as the weed growth kicks in, anglers should expect difficult shore fishing due to the combination. Small boats and float tubes are definitely an advantage here as these allow the anglers to get out past the weeds. Small spinners, worms, PowerBait, and the usual assortment of nymphs should all work here.
JIGGS / ZUNINO RESERVOIR
Unfortunately, Jiggs has dried up within the last couple of weeks.
MOUNTAIN STREAMS & LAKES
Streams flows should start coming down and should be fishable in the next week or two. Right now the best area to fish is the beaver ponds where flows aren’t an issue. As the streams become fishable dead drift worms or nymph patterns through the runs leading into the heads of the riffles where trout may be holding. Keep an eye out for insect hatches with the warmer weather, especially when the sun first hits the water and in the late afternoons. If you aren’t sure what is hatching try using elk hair caddis, stimulators, humpies or coachman. Also through some terrestrial patterns along areas with heavy vegetation along the bank.
The high mountain lakes in the Rubies are starting to open up though the higher elevation lakes may still be ice covered. However, you are still going to encounter snow on the trails. The trail to Island lake is open, though if you want to get to Lamoille Lake, you will want to take the sunnier stock trail as the shadier foot trail still has a fair amount of snow. Both lakes still have ice on them but are starting to open up and fishing should be good when you get to them. Anglers should use PowerBait, small spinners and minnow imitators, and common nymph patterns including PT’s, zug bugs, prince, copper Johns and gold ribbed hare’s ears. As the high lakes become ice free anglers may try renegades, mosquito, royal coachman and Wulff’s, red and yellow humpies for some fun top water action.
RUBY LAKE NWR
Bass fishing is starting to pick up with the warmer weather and the best fishing is late in the afternoon and early evening. Dark rubber gear fished on a weedless hook and thrown into the tules is your best bet. Some trout are still being caught in the oxbow behind the hatchery, at the springheads and in the ditch. Anglers should try bear hair streamers, egg patterns, prince nymphs, PT’s, hare’s ears and wooly buggers. If you are throwing hardware, try small Rapalas and bright spinners.
SOUTH FORK RESERVOIR
Both trout and bass fishing has been fair to good as anglers who are getting on the water early are catching fish, though boaters appear to be more successful than shore anglers for both species. Trout are still hitting the midges that are hatching in calm waters and the damsels and mayflies are hatching. Float tubers have caught some nice trout on the flats north of Jet Ski beach using black or olive wooly buggers and midge patterns. Wipers have been seen in the same area, but no report of any being caught here. However, wipers are being caught by trollers throughout much of the lake using black/gray and white crankbaits. Fly fisherman should use large flashy streamers for the wipers. Some areas to target include the east side of the lake near the campground, the southeast side of the lake in the flats and the north end of the lake near the dam. Other popular nymph patterns such as PT’s, zug bugs and prince nymphs should also work. Of course wooly buggers are a staple here. Shore anglers should start targeting shoreline where the water depth drops off rather quickly as the trout start to move into deeper water as the surface temperatures start to warm up. Areas that provide this topography include the bluffs on the northwest side of the lake, the dam and shorelines on either side of the dam. The traditional PowerBait and worms are your best bet. Fish them off of the bottom. Black bass are moving into deeper water so fish the edges of the traditional spawning beds and start moving into deeper water until you find them. Rubber gear, swim baits and crank baits should work. Starting Wednesday, July 1st, one black bass 15 inches or longer may be kept.
WILDHORSE RESERVOIR
 Not much change here as fishing continues to be good as anglers are catching nice trout, a few wipers and a few catfish. Shore fishing isn’t as slow as at South Fork, though boaters are definitely having a better time of it. With the warmer weaher the perch bite should start coming on fairly soon. Small rubber grubs, jigs or bits of worm on a hook fished near the bottom should work for perch once they start biting. Target catfish in the backwater of Penrod and Hendricks in the late evenings or early mornings as the large cats are moving into the shallows in search of food. Worms and stink baits as well as spinners and minnow imitators will catch catfish. Early morning (crack of dawn) and last light at the end of the day seem to be the best times for catfish, though fishing throughout the night should also be effective. Boaters continue to catch trout in the 14 to 18 inch class primarily trolling off of the shore between Penrod and Hendricks arms, as well as along the western shore from the mouth of the canyon, south to the warm springs. Shore anglers continue to catch 12 to 14 inch trout using PowerBait or worms around the state park boat ramp. The bass spawn appeared to have happened a bit later here and there are areas where the guard males are still on the beds. Bass can be caught of off structure using the same gear as South Fork. As with South Fork, you can start keeping a black bass 15 inches or longer on Wednesday, July 1st. Fly rodders should stick to larger presentations like wooly buggers, Clousers, and leach patterns. However, give some of the larger nymphs a shot if the streamers aren’t working. Also, fish a chironomid under an indicator in early mornings and late evenings.
WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR
This reservoir is full, though as those who have followed the
saga of Willow Creek over the last few years know, there aren’t
many fish. Several thousand catfish were planted last year as
well as a few hundred crappie and some bass. Anglers are being
asked to return all crappie and bass back to the water until a
fishery is firmly established. This may take several years depending
upon water conditions. However, the catfish that were planted
were good sized and should make great eating.
WILSON RESERVOIR
The road is dry but rutted with some areas with standing water. Trout are being caught near the boat ramp using brass/gold spinners, spoons and flatfish. The spillway is barely spilling and flows are perfect for fishing below the spillway. Trollers should do well using flashers tipped with a worm, crankbaits or streamer flies. Bass fishing is good in the shallows on the western shore and along the willows using dark plastic gear and crank baits.
Northwestern Nevada
Free Fishing Day is this Saturday June 13. All of the Western region fishable Waters have been planted. Check out the latest stocking report for more details.
CARSON RIVER
CATNIP RESERVOIR TRIBUTARIES
AND OUTLET
CHIMNEY RESERVOIR
 HOBART
RESERVOIR
LAHONTAN RESERVOIR
Brad Larkin Park Ranger for Lahontan State Recreation Area reports On Friday June 5, an excited angler from Fernley reeled in a 25 lbs. whiper on the Lahontan Dam side of the lake. The same group also caught 6 other whipers that were at least 15 lbs. a piece. The Catfish are starting to spawn on the south beaches of the Silver Springs side creating great fishing opportunities. I have had numerous reports for catfish that are 6-8 lbs. and as big as 12 lbs.
LAKE TAHOE
 MASON
VALLEY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area opened Feb. 14, Hinkson
and North pond have been stocked with 10-11 inch fish. Hinkson
Slough: The bass are starting to bite. Most of the
action is in the open water in front of the levee. Fishing dark
jigs and spinner baits around structure is pulling bass up to
5 pounds. Temps are still cold, so fish it slow. Once the water
clears up, anglers should switch to more natural colors. North
Pond: Fishing has been difficult due to aquatic vegetation
throughout the pond.
MARLETTE LAKE
PINE FOREST
COMPLEX (Blue Lakes, Knott Creek, Onion)
Blue Lakes opens June 13.
Onion is open for fishing. The Department planted 4000 rainbow trout on 6/23/09. Access to the area will require 4x4. The area has received plenty of rain and has made the roads challenging. Fishing has been good in the morning using batis patterns as the day progresses use maroon leaches.
Knott Creek - Opened June 13. Planted 2000 rainbow trout on 6/23/09. Access to the area will require 4x4. The area has received plenty of rain and has made the roads challenging.
RYE PATCH
SPOONER LAKE
Local angler reports the fishing at Spooner Lake on Sunday was amazing. Most people were fishing floating lines because of the weed depth and using Sheep Creeks and a variety of wooly buggers. I caught about 10 fish (YEAH) in the 9 to 11 inch range on size 14 Sheep Creek Special tied with a crystal peacock body. Kevin found a hole and caught many more fish on a light green crystal Sheep Creek. Someone was using a Green Hornet. There are some weed channels in the middle of the lake, but the most productive spots were closer to shore. The fish were gorgeous. As usual, the wind was quite gusty at times.
TOPAZ LAKE and CANAL
TRUCKEE RIVER
WALKER LAKE
No fish have been caught for the past few weeks. Water temperatures are warming and fishing should not pick back up until September or October. As for launching, State Parks launches are currently the best. The lake has now receded enough that the original State Park launch is usable again, but be careful not to back in to far, it gets soft. The newer launch at State Parks is more stable, but can be too steep for large crafts to pull-out. Launches are four wheel drive only and subject to wash-out after large wind events.
EAST WALKER
RIVER SPECIAL REGULATION WATERS
Fishing is good. Fly anglers have been catching fish in the
12 to 20 inch range using San Juan worms, Squalla Stone flies
and various may fly patterns. Some dry fly action using stimulator
in size 8 and small may fly dry’s. Current flow’s
are at 56 cfs. It’s time to fish this water before irrigation
flows begin.
WEST WALKER
RIVER
WALL CANYON RESERVOIR
 WASHOE
COUNTY URBAN PONDS
All of the urban ponds have been stocked and should
be great fishing this spring. Marilyn’s Pond still has
ice.
Check out the latest stocking
report.
- Sparks Marina
- Paradise Pond
- Virginia Lake
- Idlewild Ponds
- Rancho San Rafael Pond
- Wilson Commons
- Marilyn's Pond
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.
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The fishing remains good even with late afternoon wind. Some very nice fish have been reported in the 14-18 inch range. Most of the action has been from boats using Rapala’s in black and gold color. Some boaters are using flashers trailed by nightcrawlers. Boaters action is mainly on the North end of the Lake. Bank angler still working hard for just a few fish using power bait or Pautzke salmon eggs. 