Nevada

Fishing in Nevada

Nevada offers over 200 lakes and reservoirs and 600 streams and rivers, with over 400,000 acres making fishing in Nevada as wonderful as anything! Along with the diversity of landforms and climates, the state offers majority of man-made reservoirs for fishing.

The species of fish vary too, like, mountain whitefish, redband trout, bull trout, Yellowstone, Bonneville, and Lahontan cutthroats.

Major Fishing Spots

Western Region

Blue Lakes, Carson River, Chimney Dam Reservoir, Duffurrena Ponds, Humboldt River, Lahontan Reservoir, Rye Patch Reservoir, Truckee and Walker Rivers are some of the major fishing spots in this region, which have abundant variety of fishes like rainbow, brook, cutthroat, bull, tiger, and mackinaw trout, kokanee salmon, channel and bullhead catfish, green, and bluegill sunfish, yellow perch, redear sunfish, sacramento perch, largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, white and striped bass, northern pike, walleye and crappie.

Lahontan Reservoir: This reservoir contains a variety of fishes like wipers, white bass, walleye, bullhead, channel catfish, largemouth bass, crappie and spotted bass, but as the lake is the favorite recreation spot for other activities like boating, skiing, etc. fishing is a bit disturbed.

The best fishing is done from April to July and October. Walleye are caught using normal gear, jigs, worms trolled in a worm harness behind flashes and live minnows, whereas wipers are caught with plugs and live minnows. White bass are taken with spinners and live minnows. Channel catfish are taken with dead minnows, prawns, worms, liver and worms.

Rye Patch Reservoir: Variety of game fishes are available like largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, spotted bass, walleye, channel catfish, yellow perch, bluegill and white bass.

Late March is the best season for walleye fishing, while early April and May is best for channel catfish, and for wipers, early May is the best. For white crappie, late summer and early fall is the best. Standard crank baits, native minnows and crappie jigs are productive methods. Minnows, liver, shrimp and worms work best for channel catfish.

Eastern Region

Barth Pit, Humboldt River, Ruby Lake, South Fork, Wildhorse, and Willow Creek Reservoirs are the major water bodies in this region having ample variety of fishes making fishing in Nevada as exciting as ever.

South Fork Reservoir: This is the newest reservoir and is located entirely on public land. Fishes variety consists of rainbow, brown, cutthroat, and bowcutt trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, wipers and channel catfish. In addition to these, variety of non-game fishes like tui chub, Tahoe sucker, redside shiner, and speckled dace.

Nearly all types of baits like worms, PowerBait, salmon eggs etc. are effective for trout, so also flies and lures. Typical catfish bait like chicken liver, large shrimp, worms etc. work well for catfish. The most productive time for trout fishery is spring to early summer and during ice period of winter, though trout is caught during summer months too early in the morning. Late spring is best for bass fishing, but before 1^st July, if the bass is caught it has to be released. Float tubing is most popularly accepted fishing method through various accesses available.

Southern Region

Lakes Mead, and Mohave, Colorado River, Floyd Lamb Park, Eagle Valley Reservoir and Sunset Park Pond are the major fishing attractions here.

Lake Mead: With the variety of fishes like rainbow trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, catfish, crappie, black bullhead, bluegill sunfish, green sunfish, walleye and striped bass, Lake Mead provides year-round, day and night fishing.

During the winter, striper can be taken with bait during the day and at during night with top water plugs. Largemouth bass can be taken in both deep and shallow waters with artificial lures at the early morning or evening. The Overton Arm, Muddy River Arm and/or Virgin River Arm are productive of crappie, live bait such as shiners and/or jigs work well. It should be fished against rock wall and in brushy areas, while trout can be taken near their stocking with conventional gear like worms, lures or power bait. Channel catfish can be well caught with fresh fish parts, prawns, liver or prepared catfish bait.

Lake Mohave: Game fish like striper, rainbow, largemouth bass, bluegill sunfish, channel catfish and crappie and non-game fish like carp, razorback sucker, red shiner, bonytail chub, and threadfin shad make this lake rich in terms of angling.

The most effective striped bass fishing can be done in low light, using cut bait, or lures when the fish moves to shallow water to feed. When fishing during the day, trolling or still fishing 40 to 100 feet deep using cut bait or lures imitating shad or trout are most effective. Whereas for largemouth bass, plastic or live worms work best and for trout, prepared bait works well.

The Silver State is calling you for several activities including fishing. Prepare for fishing in Nevada this vacation and have a nice time!