NDOW HOME
Home | Search State of Nevada
Apply for a Tag Register Your Boat Buy a License

 

 


Fishing

 

Fish Nevada
Fishing Report


YOUR HOT SPOTS!

Where are you and your fellow Nevada anglers fishing? You let us know! Check out our Nevada Fishing Hot Spots page to find out!

 

Available fishing reports are generally updated weekly for southern Nevada. Reports for northwest and northeast Nevada will be posted as made available.

USGS Link for Nevada stream and river flows.


Southern Nevada

QUAGGA REMINDER: NDOW is asking boaters to take the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of quagga mussels from the Colorado River system to other waters. Thoroughly clean, drain and dry your boat, trailer and towing vessel before traveling to another water.

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR

Shore fishing continues to be slow, though some anglers are catching fish with PowerBait and worms. Float tubers seem to be faring well by casting Rooster Tails and flies in deep water near the aeration bubbles. Rumor has it that a 10-pound largemouth bass was pulled from the lake last week.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR

Despite low water levels some fishermen continue try their luck on this reservoir. They have been finding some success for trout, bass and crappie while throwing Rooster Tails or a bubble and a fly.

LAKE MEAD

Early morning hours are still productive for anglers fishing from Sand Island to Government Wash. Striped bass are responding to top-water baits and jigging techniques. The fish are small, but plentiful. Action in the Boulder Beach area is hit-and-miss though some stripers are taking bait. Fishermen are catching stripers and catfish along the tires at Hemenway.

LAKE MOHAVE

Willow Beach is still giving up rainbow trout though some anglers are finding more success than others. Those spending the most time with their line in the water are doing the most catching. Anglers using PowerBait, PowerWorms, night crawlers are catching rainbows from the new fishing pier. Most trout are planter-size fish, but one angler caught a 7.6-pound rainbow last week. Shore anglers also are catching trout near the hatchery outflow stream. Boat anglers are catching stripers and channel cats. Some stripers are reportedly breaking the 20-pound mark.

Near Cottonwood stillfishing with cut anchovies is producing bites for shore anglers fishing near the points on both sides of the marina. Anglers are catching both striped bass and catfish. Boaters are catching stripers with swimbaits and whole anchovies.

Here are some of the successful anglers from Lake Mojave. From left to right: Bruce Silat with a 42-inch, 41.46 pound striper, Gavin holds up the fish he pulled in at Willow Beach, and 7-year-old Lily Easter holding up a 22.5 pound striper.

LAUGHLIN

No Report.

WAYNE E. KIRCH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

Anglers are catching fish but they have to work at it. Water temperatures are hovering near 70 degrees so trout are showing limited activity. Bass action has been slow for the past couple of weeks. Word is that fall trout plants will take place sometime in the next few weeks.

URBAN PONDS

The Nevada Department of Wildlife planted catfish in each of the four Las Vegas area urban fisheries late last week. Mesquite’s Hafen Park also was stocked. Bait fished on the bottom will generally catch whisker fish.


Northeastern Nevada

ANGEL LAKE

Water levels and temperatures are still fair for fish and anglers are still producing fish, though it has slowed down a bit over the last couple of weeks. The best time appears to be as the sun is just hitting the water or just leaving the water. Fly rodders should try prince nymphs, PT nymphs, royal wulff’s, yellow humpies, brassies and copper johns. Bait anglers should use worms. Small spinners and brightly colored mister twisters are also effective when the fish are biting.

CAVE LAKE

No change here as this reliable water continues to produce 8 to 11 inch fish for anglers. Anglers are using just about any presentation you can think of including worms, PowerBait, spinners and any nymph type patterned fly. This time of year you can also switch to dries when the hatch comes on, especially at the shallow end of the lake where float tubers can spend a great couple of hours fishing the shore line and the weed beds with such flies as damsels, mayflies and Griffith’s gnats.

COMINS LAKE

It’s too bad about the pike. It has decimated the trout fishery and rather than do nothing but feed pike, NDOW has discontinued stocking trout in this former blue ribbon fishery. That being said, a few bass are showing up now and then, but this lake is fairly deserted of anglers.

ILLIPAH

Illipah is rapidly approaching minimum pool and the fish in the shallows are stressed a bit, but NDOW biologist Chris Crookshanks said that anglers fishing in the early morning or late evening should still catch fish. Unlike earlier in the summer, fly rodders should use smaller presentations switching to caddis fly and mayfly patterns, especially right before and at dusk when these insects are hatching. For bait anglers, worms and PowerBait as usual are best.

JAKE'S / BOISE RESERVOIR

No change here. Weed growth is up and the key here is to get in a float tube or canoe and fish from the middle towards the weed edges. If you can do that, you will definitely increase your odds.

JIGGS / ZUNINO RESERVOIR

Fishing is slow due to the warm temperatures and the weeds. Afternoon winds have caused have made fishing difficult here so fish early morning or late evening when the wind has died down for best results. Garden hackle and spinners have been working the best. Small woolybuggers, midge patterns and the usual assortment of nymphs should work for flyrodders.

MOUNTAIN STREAMS & LAKES

Fishing is good in both the alpine lakes and the mountain streams. Bait anglers are having the best luck with worms though a few trout are being caught with PowerBait. Damsel fly nymphs, ants, royal coachman, yellow humpies, beetles, hoppers and Griffiths gnats have all been proven flies on the alpine lakes in the Ruby Mountains.

Overland Lake, if you can handle the 4 to 5 hour hike in is producing fish every other cast. My guess is most of the harder to reach lakes are the same. If you don’t fly fish, take a clear bobber with some water in it and about 5 feet of leader below the bobber and fish with flies.

RUBY LAKE NWR

What a great place to fish for Labor Day Weekend. This continues to be the hot spot of the region with anglers catching lots of bass both from boats and on the dikes. While fish are being caught throughout the day, late afternoons and evenings are definitely the best times for the larger fish. The dikes are also giving up some keeper fish, especially in the evening. Most anglers appear to be using darker colored grubs, spinners or poppers, while flyrodders should use hair poppers, bear hair streamers and dragonfly and damsel fly nymph patterns. Dark wooly bugger and leech patterns should also be effective. In the late evening if the water is still, poppers and spinnerbaits are a lot of fun. Anglers should be aware of the road closure from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm weekdays on Harrison Pass due to construction starting on September 2nd.

SOUTH FORK RESERVOIR

Trout fishing continues to be slow with most fish being caught in the early morning and fairly deep, while bass fishing is fair to good. Surface temperatures in the afternoons are reaching into the mid to high 70’s, so if you do catch a trout in the afternoon, please keep it as its chances for survival after exerting itself in that warm water are very slim. Crankbaits, rubber gear and poppers are working for bass and don’t forget to fish structure. Flies for trout include blood, olive and black wooly buggers and leach patterns. Zebra midges sizes 10 thru 14 in both nymph and emerger styles should work as well. Fish the west shore along the bluffs near the dam, along the dam and over the old river channel south of jet ski beach. Trollers are doing better than shore anglers. Anglers fishing the river both above and below the reservoir are reporting fair to good fishing for smallmouth bass.

WILDHORSE RESERVOIR

Very little change here as anglers continue to catch trout in the canyon by the dam using worms fished about 20 feet down. Nightcrawlers, rapalas and spinners are all producing fish, but you have to get them deep. Wipers are also being caught in the canyon as well as a few in the main body of the lake using silver crankbaits. Perch fishing is fair to good and it appears and they are being caught all around the lake.

Most anglers are finding schools using fish finders before fishing. If you don’t catch any perch within 20 minutes, move. Hendricks is still producing perch, though it is hit or miss depending upon the day. Bass fishing is fair to good. Dark rubber gear seems to be the ticket as well as minnow type lures in perch colors. The dropping water level does mean that underwater obstacles are becoming a problem, so be careful around the island off of the state park boat ramp, which is still submerged, and in the canyon along the shorelines. Morning surface water temperatures are in the low to mid 60’s getting into the low to mid 70’s by late afternoon.

WILSON RESERVOIR

Bass fishing is fair to good, while trout fishing is slow to fair. For bass use crankbaits or rubber gear. Trout fishing is slow both from shore and trolling, though the best place to fish is in the canyon by the dam. Damsel fly nymphs, mayfly nymphs and midge patterns should all be tried, but don’t forget about olive wooly buggers and crystal buggers.


Northwestern Nevada

CARSON RIVER

    Fishing has been slow. If fly fishing, try gold-ribbed hares ear and prince nymphs. Lure fisherman try Cast masters in gold, Panther Martin in black and Meps spinner in red or yellow. The flow is 73 cfs as of 8/14/08.

CATNIP RESERVOIR TRIBUTARIES AND OUTLET

    Fishing is still good at Catnip. The catch rate was around two fish an hour. Some nice fish were reported in the 12 to 14 inch range. Only artificial lures with single barbless hooks may be used.

CHIMNEY RESERVOIR

    Perch have been on the bite. No reports on Walleye yet.

HOBART RESERVOIR

    The access to Hobart Lake via the Ash Canyon is fully accessible. Fishing has slowed down but anglers still report good fishing in the Morning and evening. If fly fishing try crystal snails, zug bugs, prince nymphs, and water beetles.

LAHONTAN RESERVOIR

    Brad Larkin, Park Ranger for the Lahontan State Recreation Area, reports white bass are still biting on just about any bait. The whippers and the walleye have been pretty elusive with the ever changing depth and shore line. One angler reported that the water is even murkier than usual and the fish just aren't seeing his lure. The commercial fisherman at Lahontan caught a 25 lbs channel catfish last week, but they're the only people I know that have caught any catfish.

LAKE TAHOE

    Fishing has been very slow for both guides and anglers. The next couple of weeks should start producing some good Mackinaw fishing as the summer temps change and less boating activity. Anglers are trolling in the 125 to 200 foot for best results using flat fish and needle fish. Some anglers have been picking up fish close to shore early in the morning and then late in the afternoon moving into the deep water.

MASON VALLEY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

    Open any hour of the day for the following waters:

    Bass, Crappie, North Bonds, Beaver Slough and that portion of the Walker River within the Mason Valley WMA.

    Hinkson Slough same season as above. Limit is two trout and 15 warm water game fish of which not more than two may be black bass. Minimum size for trout is 16 inches. Minimum size for black bass is 14 inches. Artificial lures only. Come March 1st, it will be unlawfull to possess black bass between 11 and 14 inches in length.

    Hinkson Slough is beginning to weed up. If you can find good open water the bass fishing should be good for the next couple of weeks. Your best luck for trout should be in the early morning hours.

MARLETTE LAKE

    Get your hiking boots out or the mountain bike for the Marlette. Fishing has been outstanding try using a type three line with a crystal wooly bugger in black or purple Opened Tuesday July 15.

PINE FOREST COMPLEX (Blue Lakes, Knott Creek, Onion)

    Blue Lakes opens June 14. Road conditions are fair.

    Onion was de-watered last year. It will not be fishable this year.

    Knott Creek - same conditions as last week but slower with the warmer temperatures. Knott Creek has been off and on. Slow to good fishing has been reported. As the day heats up, the fish tend to go deep and are off the bite. Morning, just before the sun hits the water seems to be the best time. Same fly patterns as last week. Best fly is a crystal maroon woolly bugger or midge patterns under a strike indicator. Mohair Leach in blood red is another great pattern to try. The fishing should continue to be good until the water starts to heat up. Limit is one trout, minimum size 18 inches. Only artificial lures with single barbless hooks may be used. Boats must be operated at speed that leaves a flat wake.

RYE PATCH

    Water levels are dropping quickly, but boats are still launching at the boat ramp depending on the boat size. Please contact the Rye Patch State Parks at 775-538-7321 if you have any questions about launching your boat. Good fishing has been reported for both wiper and walleye.

SPOONER LAKE

Same as last week. Fair to slow fishing due to warmer temperatures and the every increasing weed problem around the shore. Once you find open water the trout will be on the bite early. Try Crystal Woolly Bugger in rust or black and a Zug bug.

TOPAZ LAKE and CANAL

    High water temperatures have slowed the fishing down but anglers that avoid the jet skis and water skiers have had their best luck at in 25 feet of water on the southwest side near Highway 395. No fish limits reported.

TRUCKEE RIVER

    Truckee River flows are still holding in the 390 to 400 cfs in the Reno area. Fishing has been reported from fair to good for both fly anglers and lure fisherman. The patters that are still producing are crayfish patterns, small yellow stones and caddis. Caddis have been working in the evening, cripple caddis have been the most effective. The crayfish are best presented either stripping them though the deeper pools or near deep pocket water. Dead drifting has been effective as well. The lure fisherman have been successful using Z rays and Castmasters in Gold and rainbow colors.

WALKER LAKE

    No report this week.

EAST WALKER RIVER SPECIAL REGULATION WATERS

    No fishing reports but flows are at 100 cfs. This Flow is great if the water temps are good. Early morning and late evening should produce well for this water.

WEST WALKER RIVER

    It's time to try this sometimes under-fished water.

WALL CANYON RESERVOIR

    Game Warden Randy Lusetti reported some Small Mouth action in the shallows.

WASHOE COUNTY URBAN PONDS

All urban Ponds have been planted except Virginia Lake. Virginia Lake will not be planted this spring. Try your luck at Marilyn’s pond especially if you have a child. This is great place to introduce a child to fishing. Power bait in chartreuse and eggs work best.

Check out the latest stocking report.

  • Sparks Marina
  • Paradise Pond
  • Virginia Lake
  • Idlewild Ponds
  • Rancho San Rafael Pond
  • Wilson Commons
  • Marilyn's Pond

WASHOE LAKE

Washoe Lake dried in 2004 and, although it is presently full and has been restocked, the fish population, consisting mostly of channel catfish and white bass, is small. Fishing is expected to be poor.

HOME | Fish| Boat | Hunt | Wildlife & Habitat | Learn & Participate | Licenses & Laws | Our Agency | Contact Us
Copyright © 2008 Nevada Department of Wildlife

Nevada Department of Wildlife