Carson River

– The main Carson River begins near the town of Genoa where the east and west forks merge and it ends at the Carson Sink beyond Fallon. Pioneers (mid- to late 1800’s) originally fished for native trout, however, Comstock mining activities, channelization, water diversions, introduction of other fishes, and overharvesting caused the demise of cutthroat trout and limited the range of mountain whitefish.

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Region
Western
County
Lyon
Type of water
River
Fishing Report

Flows are about to go way up with the spring snowmelt. Fishing for bass above Mexican Dam should pick up when we reach the end of runoff. Trout fishing should be good where trout are stocked following the peak runoff.

 

04-16-2024

Stocking Updates

Stocked Species Inches Date Stocked Year to Date
2063Rainbow Trout9.703-20-20232063
2033Brown Trout9.503-15-20232033

Pertinent Information

The Carson River fishery primarily begins at Mexican Dam (adjacent to Carson City) and ends in Dayton. Some fishing does occur in the river upstream of Ft. Churchill, but it depends on the flow and water conditions. The river is considered navigable, making it accessible to the public below the average high water line. However, land upstream of Mexican Dam is mostly private and it is difficult to find public access to the river. Entrance to the river, however, occurs frequently from Carson City to Dayton with Fort Churchill State Park being about the lower end of easily accessible public land. A put and take trout fishery occurs in these areas along with large- and smallmouth bass. Channel catfish and bullheads are caught more in the lower reaches near Ft. Churchill. A canoe/raft launch site along with a handicap access-fishing platform can be found at Camp Carson Park near Lloyd’s Bridge (Carson City). There is an additional boat launch/takeout at Morgan Mill Park near the BLM office.