Best fishing lakes in Nevada: 12 lakes and what bites

The lakes at a glance

1. Lake Mead

Lake Mead covers 158,000 acres of water. It holds striped bass, largemouth bass, catfish and crappie. At about 532 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a wind-blown bank worth a first look.

Lake Mead today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Lake Mohave

Lake Mohave spreads over 26,500 acres. Expect striped bass, largemouth bass, trout and smallmouth bass.

Lake Mohave today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Lahontan Reservoir

Lahontan Reservoir spreads over 10,000 acres. It lies about 1.7 miles northwest of Silver Springs. It is the Carson River behind Lahontan Dam. White bass, walleye, catfish and largemouth bass are the draw. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Lahontan Reservoir was formed by Lahontan Dam, completed in 1915 as one of the first U.S. Bureau of Reclamation dams, and is a popular warm-water fishery.

Lahontan Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. South Fork Reservoir

South Fork Reservoir is a reservoir of 1,640 acres of water. You will find it near Spring Creek. Trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and striped bass are the draw. The deepest water is around 67 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove: good places to start. South Fork Reservoir is known for trophy-class trout and bass fishing in Elko County.

South Fork Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Pyramid Lake

At 120,000 acres of water, Pyramid Lake is a huge piece of water. You will find it within an easy drive of Sparks (about 27 miles). Trout are the draw. The deepest water is around 356 ft. The lake bed gives you two steep ledges and a point drop-off to work. Pyramid Lake is the largest remnant of ancient Lake Lahontan and is famous for trophy Lahontan cutthroat trout, found only on the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation.

Pyramid Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Wild Horse Reservoir

Wild Horse Reservoir spreads over some 2,830 acres. The lake is about 55 miles south of Elko. The fish here are trout, largemouth bass, catfish and yellow perch. The deepest water is around 70 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Wild Horse Reservoir in northern Elko County is one of Nevada's most popular trout and bass fisheries.

Wild Horse Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Rye Patch Reservoir

Rye Patch Reservoir is a reservoir of 12,000 acres. You will find it about 22 miles south of Lovelock. It is the Humboldt River behind Rye Patch Dam. It holds walleye. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and an upper arm to work. Rye Patch Reservoir on the Humboldt River is managed by Nevada as a walleye fishery.

Rye Patch Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Topaz Lake

At 2,410 acres of water, Topaz Lake is small enough to learn in a few trips. The lake is within an easy drive of Carson City (about 34 miles). The fish here are trout. The deepest water is around 92 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start. Topaz Lake straddles the California-Nevada border and is stocked with trout by both states' wildlife agencies.

Topaz Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. North Nutgrass

North Nutgrass covers about 1,880 acres. You will find it within an easy drive of Sparks (about 71 miles). The usual Nevada mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish.

North Nutgrass today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Willow Lake

Willow Lake spreads over about 1,730 acres. It lies about 17 miles southwest of Fallon. Like most lakes its size in Nevada, it should hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

Willow Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

11. Pintail Bay

At about 860 acres, Pintail Bay is small enough to learn in a few trips. The lake is about 22 miles southwest of Fallon. Like most lakes its size in Nevada, it should hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

Pintail Bay today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

12. Continental Lake

At about 1,360 acres, Continental Lake is small enough to learn in a few trips. It lies near Winnemucca. Like most lakes its size in Nevada, it should hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish.

Continental Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Pick by species

Lakes listed for a fish are the ones on this page where it is on record or typical for the lake.

• Bass: Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, Lahontan Reservoir and South Fork Reservoir
• Walleye: Lahontan Reservoir and Rye Patch Reservoir
• Trout: Lake Mohave, South Fork Reservoir, Pyramid Lake and Wild Horse Reservoir
• Crappie: Lake Mead, Lahontan Reservoir, North Nutgrass and Willow Lake
• Catfish: Lake Mead, Lahontan Reservoir, South Fork Reservoir and Wild Horse Reservoir

When to go

• Spring: walleye are usually at their best. Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
• Summer: walleye are usually fair. Warm surface. They go deep in the day; try evenings.
• Fall: walleye are usually at their best. Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
• Winter: walleye are usually at their best. Good cool-water bite, best at dusk and after dark.

Before you go

Buy a Nevada fishing licence before the trip and read the state's rules for each lake: seasons, size and bag limits change from water to water. Each lake page on LakeScope shows today's water temperature, the wind, the best bite times and a 3-D view of the bed, so check it the morning you go.