June Means Fishing in Nevada

Now that the drought has faded and warm weather has settled on the state, anglers may wish to break out their rods and reels and head to their favorite lake because this is the month to find top-notch fishing, according to the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW).

“Most of the state’s reservoirs now have good water conditions and fishing is excellent. The next few weeks are one of the best times of the year for fishing in Nevada’s reservoirs,” said Mark Warren, NDOW staff biologist.

While the reservoir fishing is now good, he said that heavy runoff has produced difficult fishing conditions at many streams and high mountain lakes. He suggests holding off for a few weeks before heading to those locations.

Warren said that anglers can expect the good fishing in Nevada’s reservoirs to continue into July, but it should cool off by the middle of that month when air and water temperatures heat up. Here are some of the locations that he said are sure bets for fishing.

Lahontan Reservoir is located 20 miles southwest of Fallon and should provide some fast action for white bass as well as walleye and wipers (hybrids between striped and white bass). Reproduction was excellent last year for white bass due to the rising water level and these young fish are around six inches in length, but should grow through the summer months. There’s also a good supply of fish that are 10 to 14 inches as well.

Warren suggests fishing in the area where the Carson River flows into the lake. Temperatures are nice and anglers can expect days in the 80s and evenings in the 40s.

The Truckee River running from the California state line through Reno is now high and difficult to fish, but in a couple of weeks this will change and the angling should be excellent. NDOW has stocked 30,000 rainbow trout and 30,000 cutthroat trout so there are plenty of fish available to anglers.

Rye Patch Reservoir between Lovelock and Winnemucca is full for the first time in several years. Lots of water has been coming down the Humboldt River and anglers should be able to catch wipers that range from four to 10 pounds and walleye that are two to seven pounds. Warren suggests fishing right below the dam.

Onion and Knott Creek reservoirs in the Pine Forest Range north of Winnemucca will have their annual fishing opener on Saturday, June 10. Knott Creek has special regulations with artificial lures and a limit of one trout that must be at least 18 inches.

More liberal fishing regulations are found at nearby Onion Reservoir. Here anglers can use such baits as worms and PowerBait.

Fishing can be good at Onion for fish that range from nine to 14 inches while rainbows from nine to 20 inches can be caught at Knott Creek. This is a primitive area with rough road access, so heavy-duty vehicles are advised. Weather can be cool with days in the 70s and

evenings dipping into the 30s.

Wildhorse Reservoir located approximately 60 miles north of Elko is full for the first time in seven years. Warren said that the fishing has been great for stocked rainbow trout as well as yellow perch. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are available as well.

Wilson Reservoir, 60 miles northwest of Elko, has been heavily stocked with rainbow trout and it’s well worth a trip along a dirt road to fish at this reservoir.

South Fork Reservoir is located 16 miles southwest of Elko and is fishing well for rainbow trout, brown trout and bowcutt trout, which is a hybrid between rainbow and cutthroat trout. NDOW stocked 50,000 trout into the reservoir this past year. Fishing should be very good through the end of June. Remember that there is catch and release only for smallmouth and largemouth bass from March 1 through June 30.

Wayne Kirch Wildlife Management Area is located about 35 miles south of Lund off State Route 318 and consists of five lakes, three of which will be providing good fishing through June for rainbow trout and largemouth bass. Warren said that this is the best of months for fishing at Adams-McGill, Cold Springs and Haymeadow reservoirs. This is the place to go to for big rainbows and big bass. Be prepared to hook up with trout that can be 18 inches or more.

Temperatures at Kirch can vary greatly during June and range from near freezing to the 90s. Anglers should be prepared for this changing weather along with summer storms and wind.
Eagle Valley Reservoir east of Pioche is a popular summer getaway, and with good reason. Fishing can be very good for stocked rainbow trout. It’s also a good place to take children fishing because it is heavily stocked with trout by NDOW. Temperatures along with the scenery are very pleasant.

Information about fishing in Nevada can be obtained at all NDOW offices and online at www.ndow.org.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife is the state agency responsible for the protection, restoration and management of fish and wildlife resources, and the promotion of boating safety on Nevada’s waters. Wildlife offices are located in Las Vegas, Henderson, Winnemucca, Fallon, Elko, and Reno. For more information, contact the agency web site at www.ndow.org.