Best Fishing of the Year Beginning at White Pine Reservoirs

Cool weather, little competition for the fish and the best trout fishing action of the year is now beginning at reservoirs in White Pine County, according to the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW).

“October and November are far and away the best time of year for fishing at Comins Lake. The fish are looking at putting on some groceries as they prepare for winter,” said Chris Crookshanks, NDOW’s fisheries biologist in White Pine County.

Located seven miles south of Ely along U.S. 93, Comins Lake is known for producing chunky rainbow trout. And this year is no exception as the lake is now producing good numbers of rainbow trout that can easily top two pounds.

“From October through late November is my favorite time for fishing at the lake. The weather is nice and the fishing can be fantastic. There’s also not too many people fishing at the lake because they are hunting or doing something else, so you don’t see too many people around,” said Crookshanks.

Traditional trout fishing methods such as PowerBait and night crawlers will catch fish in the fall. But, for those who enjoy fly fishing, the action can be tremendous.

Crookshanks said that tying on a wooly bugger or streamer fly will produce fat and feisty fish that will give anglers a tremendous fight.

Besides Comins, now is the time for anglers to try their luck at Cave Lake southeast of Ely and Illipah Reservoir that is located 30 miles west of Ely off U.S. 50.

Planter fish and nice scenery are the fall attractions at Cave Lake. Also available are big brown trout that are now active and, with some luck, can be caught at the upper end of the lake near the inflow where they are attempting to spawn.

Illipah Reservoir has been producing fish that range from 16 to 18 inches, one and one-half to two pounds. As with Comins Lake, these fish can be caught with night crawlers, PowerBait or small flies, streamers and wooly buggers.

Anglers heading to White Pine County in the autumn should be prepared for the possibility of rapidly changing weather. Otherwise, daytime temperatures are often in the 60s while evenings dip below freezing.

Information about fishing at the three lakes can be obtained online at www.ndow.org.