The South Fork Humboldt River originates on the west side of the Ruby Mountains in Elko County. With the completion of South Fork Dam in 1988, the South Fork Humboldt River was divided into upper and lower reaches. Improved upstream habitat management and subsequent water releases from the reservoir have improved downstream water quality and has enhanced game fish production.
Coordinates: 40.6569, -115.7447
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- Region
- Eastern
- County
- Elko
- Type of water
- River
Fishing Report
Increased flows are resulting in turbid water above the reservoir. Anglers are experiencing better conditions below the dam, catching trout over 14″. Streamers and leeches are working for fly anglers. Spincasters are having luck with small spinners. Expect soft and muddy banks with upcoming precipitation in the forecast. Special Regulation: Artificial lures with single barbless hooks only above the Lucky Nugget causeway. Limit of 1 trout.
03-21-2024Stocking Updates
| Stocked | Species | Inches | Date Stocked | Year to Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8436 | Brown | 5.6 | 10-27-2022 | 15687 |
| 7251 | Brown Trout | 4.5 | 09-09-2022 | 7251 |
Pertinent Information
Upstream from the dam, the river runs 7 miles to State Route 228, and below the dam, the river is fishable for approximately 12 miles to Hunter Banks Diversion Dam. Water discharge ranges from 5 to 15 cubic feet per second (cfs) in the fall, and from 600 to 1,100 cfs in the spring. Bowcutt trout (rainbow x cutthroat hybrid), rainbow trout, brown trout, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish are the likely game fish present, which originally had come from the reservoir. Both rainbow and brown trout are known to spawn in the river above and below the reservoir, with rainbow trout typically ranging from 14 to 22 inches. In general, though, the best times of year to fish are from March through June and September through December. There is camping at South Fork State Park.