Fort Churchill Cooling Pond is the primary cooling pond for the steamgenerated power plant operated by NV Energy. Hot water from the power plant is released in the northeast quadrant of the pond, which then flows in a clockwise direction through three other quadrants until it cools for re-entering the power plant. However, since 2009, the power plant has been operated sporadically. NV Energy owns the pond and anglers should respect the property to ensure continued access to the fishery.
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- Region
- Western
- County
- Lyon
- Type of water
- Community Pond
Stocking Updates
| Stocked | Species | Inches | Date Stocked | Year to Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1033 | Rainbow Trout | 10.1 | 02-07-2023 | 1033 |
| 983 | Rainbow Trout | 9.8 | 03-24-2023 | 2016 |
Pertinent Information
The pond is 210 surface acres with water depths that range from 7 to 14 feet. Water temperatures during normal power plant operation range from 40ºF in February to 100ºF in the summer. During times when the power plant is shutdown, the ambient water temperature is similar to other ponds in the area, with ice forming in winter and 75°F temperatures in summer. Fishing is only allowed from shore. This is a warmwater fishery with self-sustaining largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish populations; however, trout is stocked during the winter when the power plant operation is suspended and channel catfish is stocked when available. Bass range between 11 and 16 inches, while channel catfish range between 10 and 13 inches. For bass, use plastic worms, spinner baits, or top-water lures. In order to increase the amount of protective cover and improve production of young-of-the-year largemouth bass and bluegill, 109 artificial habitat structures occur along the center dike. Catfish anglers find the best luck using nightcrawlers, chicken liver, and cut shrimp. There is an outhouse at the parking area. Camping is only available in the Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area at Sand Ridge and North Pond Campgrounds.