Western Nevada Fish Reports

The river is in excellent condition. Flows are at prime fall levels and the cool overnight temperatures have kept the trout happy. Fishing mid-day will continue to be good until the cold really sets in. East of Reno some BWO mayflies are still hatching in the afternoons. Small mayfly emergers and soft hackles just above or under the surface has worked well. Nymph fishing continues

The Carson was high all summer, finally coming down to rest over the last month. Fish are happy and flows are down to good fall levels. Spin fisherman using larger spinner and spoons have caught some good fish recently. Fly fisherman using small mayfly nymphs and midge pupa have been doing well under the indicator. There are still some fish still on afternoon hoppers but

The opener was one of the best on record. The water record was broken and plenty of fish have been caught. Catch rates are about 1.5 fish per hour, average size of keeper fish is 15.5”, fish up to 24” being caught from shore and boats. All rainbows and bowcutts so far. Shore fisherman are using large spoons, diving plugs. and crawlers deep off the

Spooner is just starting to freeze a little along the shoreline. Access will likely get tough until the ice comes off in spring.

The cooler overnight lows have the fish less active in the morning making afternoons and evening the best bet. The warm extended forecast should help to keep productive bass fishing through November. Spin fisherman using white jigs and small spinners are finding fish along sandy beaches. Fly fisherman are finding some bass still on bright streamers along many of the sand beaches. In addition to

Flows are finally down to winter levels on the East Walker. We’ve seen 250-300 cfs all summer long making for some challenging fishing. A few caddis may be out in the evening with a few sporadic midge and mayfly hatching during the day. Fish seem to be holding deep at the moment with very few risers seen during the day. Tight line nymphing through the

Trout fishing has picked back up again with the cooler overnight temps. The lake is currently ice free. Fishing for bass has slowed considerably. Majority of the surface activity is now limited to trout in the evenings. Small spinners continue to produce trout all day in deeper water. Bait fishing with dough bait and worms will catch trout most of the day.

Fishing is slow for walleye, crappie, wiper and catfish. A few walleye are being caught slowly trolling minnow imitations or worm harnesses. Trolling faster with rapala minnow imitations is a good method for walleye as well. For crappie use bright colored jigs in the flooded vegetation. The few that fly fish Chimney Reservoir tend to stick with the chartreuse and yellow Clouser minnows. Note that

Fishing was fair this summer and will continue to improve as warmwater gamefish populations continue to rebound. Spin Fisherman are finding that Rapala minnow imitations are working well in addition to larger brightly colored jigs. Fly Fisherman are picking up an occasional walleye or bass on chartreuse woolly buggers or clouser minnows near the dam.

As a result of declining water levels, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in Walker Lake has increased dramatically to the point that the lake can no longer support its native fish and wildlife populations. The last Lahontan cutthroat trout was documented in the lake in 2009. An increase in the lake level is key to reestablishing a fishery in Walker Lake. To learn more about efforts

The Truckee River is in great shape! The water is cold, slow, and clear, but the fish are actively feeding later in the afternoons. Some days, it takes a few fly changes to find out what they are looking for, but once you find the right fly combination we are catching amazing quality of fish. This is typical for this time of year, for any