The North Fork of the Little Humboldt River was first navigated and described by Canadian explorer Peter Ogden, a fur trapper for the Hudson’s Bay Company, in 1828. The central portion of the river is located in a Wilderness Study Area that was designated in 1992.
- Region
- Western
- County
- Humboldt
- Type of water
- River
Fishing Report
Stocking – Trout are stocked occasionally, which depends on current abundance and water conditions. Regulations – Limit is 5 trout and 15 warm water game fish of which not more than 5 may be black bass and 5 may be walleye. Live baitfish and aquatic bait from the Humboldt River Basin may be used. Commercially prepared and preserved baitfish or their parts may be used as bait. Fish have not been stocked in several years due to ongoing Lahontan Cutthroat trout recovery. However, wild populations of rainbow, cutthroat, and brown trout exist and fishing is expected to be fair to poor.
Little Humboldt River, North Fork Angler Guide Information
07-01-2024Pertinent Information
The North Fork of the Little Humboldt River begins on the east side of Buckskin Mountain in the Santa Rosa Range at an elevation of 7,280 feet and travels 49 miles to empty into Chimney Reservoir. The average width is about 9 feet and average flow is about 5 cubic feet per second. Bowcutt trout (rainbow x cutthroat hybrid), rainbow trout, brook trout, and brown trout are the principal game species and Lahontan cutthroat trout can be found in the headwaters. Standard fly fishing patterns include grasshopper and nymphs. The normal trout baits such as Power Bait, nightcrawlers, and salmon eggs work well. Warmwater species coming from Chimney Reservoir possibly can be found a short ways up the river to the first water diversion barrier. There is only primitive camping in the area.