The following is the fishing forecast from the Western Region of the Nevada Department of Wildlife for 2005. For a weekly update on stocking check out our fisheries stocking report at www.ndow.org.
Fish Stocking: As of March, the Mason Valley Hatchery began stocking urban fisheries in Reno, Washoe Valley and Fallon. Walker Lake received 25,000 yearling cutthroat trout the first of March. For a weekly update on stocking check out our fisheries stocking report at www.ndow.org.
The number of catchable trout scheduled for stocking in Western Nevada is similar to the stocking levels of the last several years. During the spring and early summer, the lakes of western Nevada will receive 88,000 catchable trout, while the rivers will receive over 136,000 catchable trout. For the year, the Western Region will receive a total of 3,375 brook trout, 268,9000 rainbow trout, and 43,000 cutthroat trout.
WATER REPORTS
Urban Ponds: Urban fisheries are becoming increasingly popular for anglers wanting a quality fishing experience close to home. Urban fisheries include Sparks Marina Park Pond, Paradise Pond, and Virginia Lake. Nearby waters include Marilyn's Pond, Wilson Common, and Davis Creek Pond. Fishing opportunity is also provided at Liberty Pond in Fallon and Derby Canal in Fernley.
These waters will receive 36,800 catchable trout this spring. In May and June, the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) will import catchable channel catfish, providing angling opportunities throughout the summer. These fish usually run large, averaging one to two pounds apiece.
Big Springs Reservoir – Big Springs Reservoir is located on the Sheldon National Antelope Range, west of Denio off Highway 140. Due to three years of very low water levels, there was no over-winter survival of trout in 2005. There will be no angling opportunities at Big Springs Reservoir this year.
Dufurrena Ponds - Fishing will be good. This warm water fishery will be a good producer in May and June, with largemouth bass, white crappie, yellow perch and sunfish. Pond numbers 19 and 20 are the most productive ponds in the series of three or four ponds. These waters are not very large, but produce some respectable yellow perch.
Onion Valley Reservoir, Knott Creek Reservoir and Blue Lakes are found in the Pine forest Range near Denio. This year these waters will open on June 11. Carryover of fish in all of these premium fisheries should be excellent.
Onion Valley Reservoir - Onion Valley Reservoir levels will begin the season at around 85 percent of capacity. Early fishing is expected to be excellent. Most trout will run around 12 to 14 inches, with some fish up to 16 inches. Kamloop strain rainbow trout were introduced into the reservoir in 2003 and should continue to provide exciting fishing again in 2005.
Knott Creek Reservoir - Located south of Onion Reservoir, road access can be difficult during the spring or following any wet weather. This special regulation fishery has completely rebounded from a late summer fish kill in 1999. The reservoir will be full with 1,500 acre-feet this spring. It has been stocked during the last three years with Tahoe rainbow and cutbow trout. Trout over 18 inches will be common in 2005 and fishing is expected to be good. This is an artificial lures only fishery with restricted bag and size limits. With lower stocking rates than Onion Valley Reservoir, angling catch rates will also be lower than Onion. Many anglers who prefer smaller crowds and larger fish really enjoy this water.
Blue Lakes – Blue Lakes is located above Onion Valley Reservoir in a wilderness area. A 20-minute hike from the trailhead will get you to one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the state. This water receives limited stocking of fingerling trout from a helicopter and supports good fishing for brook and rainbow trout. This year for the first time in a decade, waters of the Pine Forest complex will be receiving Tiger trout. These fish won't show up in the creel for a year, but will be welcome by all anglers who have experienced the ferocity of these fish, which are a cross between brown and brook trout. Fishing is expected to be fair at Blue Lakes and water levels will be below average.
Rye Patch Reservoir – This reservoir is 25 miles north of Lovelock off Interstate 80. This reservoir has a capacity of 179,000 acre-feet when full. As of March, the reservoir held only 18,700 acre-feet of water. With low storage, fish will be concentrated and fishing is expected to be good through late spring. A good spawn on the walleye is anticipated. Anglers can expect to catch channel catfish, spotted bass, large walleye, wipers up to 10 pounds, recently stocked rainbow trout and some nice crappie.
When lake temperatures approach 50ºF, the walleye begin spawning activities and should be easy to locate and catch. Check rocky windblown shorelines for walleye concentrations. The area around the dam has always been one of the best spots to fish.
Lahontan Reservoir - Located 20 miles west of Fallon on Highway 50, Lahontan contains 273,000 acre-feet of water when it is full. As of March, the reservoir contained only 137,193 acre-feet of water. Access for larger boats at the improved boat ramps is available until the reservoir drops below 90,000 acre-feet. Fishing for walleye, white bass and wiper is expected to be fair this season. Good fishing should start in late March.
Concentrate fishing activities at the southern end of the reservoir where white bass gather to spawn and in the narrows or at the Truckee Canal entrance near the dam. Warm water action will peak towards Memorial Day when the fry of many different warm water species begin to show up on the miles of sandy beaches. Troll beaches near drop-offs and willow cover to locate fish. The best time to pursue walleye at Lahontan Reservoir is midday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. In recent years, many anglers here have capitalized on the large carp, which are plentiful in the reservoir. These fish fight hard and can be easy to catch with flies or corn.
The Nevada Division of Health is advising consumers to refrain from eating fish caught from the Carson River in the vicinity of Dayton downstream to and including the Lahontan Reservoir, and all waters in Lahontan Valley. Studies performed by the State Division of Environmental Protection and Department of Wildlife have shown that a public health problem exists due to elevated levels of mercury in game fish and carp from these waters. Women who are pregnant or are planning on being pregnant should be especially careful in limiting consumption of fish.
Walker Lake – Walker Lake is north of Hawthorne on Highway 95. Water levels at Walker Lake have continued to decline during the past five years. Presently the fishery contains mature cutthroat trout, which are averaging 15 to 19 inches. This spring is the time to fish this unique desert lake. Limits of five fish per angler have been common this February and March for boat and shore anglers. Spring fishing is expected to be excellent in April and May when mature trout move into shallow water. Larger boats are advised to use the new boat ramp located at the State Park Beach just south of the cliffs.
Topaz Reservoir - Located south of Gardnerville on Highway 395, Topaz is a gem located on the Nevada-California border. Access for larger boats is available at the Douglas County Park near the dam and at the Topaz Marina on the west side. Boat anglers will do well trolling Rapalas and shore anglers should fish with Power Bait and worms as far out as they can cast for the best success. Most trout are averaging 13 to 15 inches.
East and West Walker Rivers – These rivers are south of Yerington. Winter fishing has been fair to good during the low winter flows. Afternoon fishing has been most productive when insect activity is at its peak.
On the East Walker, anglers should be aware that the upper two-and-a-half miles of the river in Nevada has been closed to public fishing. The Rosaschi Ranch below this point offers seven miles of catch and release water. Below this, fishing regulations change to general limits, and bait fishing is allowed. There are big brown trout up to 20 inches everywhere on the East Walker River down to Raccoon Beach. As there are some private lands interspersed along the river, anglers are advised to obey the "No Trespassing" signs. Fishing conditions are good at present and it is best to fish prior to spring runoff. Mountain whitefish have a delicate flesh and are very good eating.
The best waters on the West Walker River are located next to the highway in Wilson Canyon and in Hoye Canyon just above Wellington. The Mason Valley Hatchery regularly stocks both of these areas.
East Carson River – The East Carson River below Ruhenstroth Dam is strongly recommended, as the area is holding white fish, rainbow and brown trout in good numbers. Anglers last year reported some good trout fishing in the East Carson River above the confluence of Bryant Creek. Spring runoff will be a big factor in determining when the fishing picks up.
Truckee River - In the Reno area, the Truckee is Nevada's most popular urban fishery. Population surveys last fall indicate that trout over 18 inches are common. The Truckee River will offer opportunities for trophy rainbow, cutbow and brown trout in 2005. The stocking of catchable trout will begin mid-March from East McCarran Boulevard up to Crystal Peak Park in Verdi. This year NDOW will stock 30,000 catchable Lahontan cutthroat and 30,000 triploid rainbow trout in lieu of stocking the traditional rainbow trout. Triploid trout are sterile and this reduces the possibility of rainbow trout and cutthroat trout cross spawning.
NDOW and the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe are cooperating on the release of 2,000 mature Lahontan cutthroat trout beginning in mid-March. The introduction of these fish marks the second year of a five-year study to determine the feasibility of restoring Lahontan cutthroat trout to the Truckee River. Fish will be collected during the spawning run at Pyramid Lake and will range in size from 18 to 24 inches. Cutthroat trout will be released from Fisherman's Park in Reno up to Crystal Peak Park in Verdi. The fish will be monitored to determine spawning location and success. Spawning locations, also known as redds, will be visible in riffle sections of the river where the cutthroat trout have cleaned the gravel. Any information on the location of spawning pairs should be reported to the local NDOW office. Anglers who catch these fish are encouraged to report their location and relative health to NDOW (775) 688-1500. Anglers are encouraged to release and large cutthroat that are captured between March and late May.
Western Nevada Streams - Anglers looking for a quality fishing experience should not overlook the small streams scattered in the major mountain ranges of Western Nevada. There are a number of waters which are stocked each year with hatchery trout. These include: Thomas Creek, Whites Creek, and Galena Creek near Reno, Desert Creek southwest of Yerington and the streams in the Martin Creek basin north of Paradise. NDOW will continue to stock these waters due to their popularity with local anglers.
There are many small streams supporting wild trout throughout the region. Fishing these intimate waters is a very special experience as the fish are eager to take a wide variety of bait. These easiest way to locate these waters is to obtain a Fishable Waters Map for the Western Region at any NDOW office.
Lake Tahoe – With a depth of over 1,600 feet, Lake Tahoe is more resistant to a drought than some of the shallower Nevada reservoirs. Anglers can catch rainbow, brown and lake trout as well as kokanee salmon. Favored angling techniques include toplining and deeplining. July and August are the most productive months, in fish per hour, although deep liners catch lake trout all year. NDOW stocks approximately 40,000 catchable sized rainbow trout annually, split between Cave Rock and Sand Harbor in the spring and summer. Fishing is usually good at these two locations following the stocking.
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