Sparks Marina

The site on which Sparks Marina Park is located was once a gravel pit owned and operated by Helms Construction Company (1968 to 1995). In 1987, petroleum products and solvents were discovered seeping into the 100 feet deep pit. Contamination was traced to a massive spill at the fuel-tank farm to the west. It was declared a Toxic Superfund Site and a comprehensive cleanup was initiated. In 1996, the groundwater was reported free of petrochemicals and the property was turned over to the City of Sparks. Millions of dollars of spill mitigation money were made available to the City, which was used to construct the park and make the pit into a recreational pond. They also planned to fill the pit to a depth of 30 feet; however, in January 1997, the Truckee River overflowed its banks and filled Helms Pit creating what is now Sparks Marina Pond. The pond is a natural aquifer and in order to keep it at a desirable level, the city pumps 1 to 2 million gallons of water daily into the Truckee River.

 

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Region
Western
County
Washoe
Type of water
Community Pond
Fishing Report

The Marina has been stocked a couple times this season and fishing has been fair. Bait fishing with worms off the bottom or under a bobber should continue to be productive through the summer. Spin fisherman willing to put in the time are doing well working jigs. Temperatures are finally getting to where fish have started to chase diving plugs and spinners.

 

Sparks Marina Angler Guide Information  

04-26-2023

Stocking Updates

Stocked Species Inches Date Stocked Year to Date
3047Rainbow Trout9.703-09-20233047
3003Brown Trout9.603-15-20233003
2057Tiger Trout10.103-16-20232057
3613Rainbow Trout9.504-07-20236660
1536Rainbow Trout12.504-10-20238196
1475Rainbow Trout12.804-17-20239671
2749Tiger Trout10.204-18-20232749
1680Rainbow Trout9.106-06-202311351
4901Rainbow Trout8.706-06-202316252
34Rainbow Trout19.406-06-202316286
995Rainbow Trout906-08-202317281
3000Channel Catfish406-07-20233000
1607Smallmouth Bassrange from 2 to 7 08-10-20231607
6045Rainbow Trout8.809-13-202323326

Pertinent Information

The lake is 100 feet deep and covers approximately 77 surface acres. Rainbow, cutthroat, and brown trout, spotted bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, green sunfish, channel catfish, bullhead catfish, and carp occur in the lake. The typical baits and lures for trout work such as Power Bait, salmon eggs, nightcrawlers, small spinners and spoons, and flies (hare’s ears, prince nymphs, and Sheep Creek specials). Channel catfish are caught on nightcrawlers, liver, and shrimp off the bottom. Large carp over 15 pound recently have been popular to fish for. There is a small concrete boat ramp located at the south beach on the west side of the lake and parking lots are located on the west side by the beaches and on the southwest corner of the lake. There are restrooms and a fishing pier.