Rye Patch Reservoir was created in 1936 by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation along the Humboldt River for flood control and irrigation for agriculture in the Lovelock Valley. The Pershing County Water Conservation District controls dam operations and reservoir storage, and the elevation is subject to drastic fluctuations. The Rye Patch State Recreation Area, designated in 1971, surrounds the reservoir.
- Region
- Western
- County
- Pershing
- Type of water
- Lake or Reservoir
Fishing Report
The cold snap has really thrown the warm water species off here. Fishing should remain slow for walleye until Mid March, and early summer for the bass and other warm water species. The abundant water over the last year has helped improve the overall health of this fishery. The walleye and smallmouth fishing was very good this last summer and should pick back up next spring.
Rye Patch Reservoir Angler Guide Information
11-22-2023Stocking Updates
| Stocked | Species | Inches | Date Stocked | Year to Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600000 | Wiper | .25 | 05-18-2023 | 600000 |
Pertinent Information
The maximum depth is 61 feet with an average depth of less than 30 feet. The reservoir has a surface area of 10,820 acres when full. Game fishes include white crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, wipers (striper x white bass hybrid), walleye, yellow perch, channel catfish, bluegill, and white bass. The best time to fish is late March for walleye, early April and May for channel catfish, and early May for wipers. Late summer and early fall are the best times for white crappie. Fishing methods include throwing crankbaits, crappie jigs, and live minnows, which all work well during early to mid-spring and fall. Channel catfish are caught on live minnows, liver, nightcrawlers, and shrimp. Camping occurs at developed State Park sites near the dam (Westside and River campgrounds) and at the Pitt-Taylor Arm.