Due to continued high run off from above average snowpack, water clarity remains poor

Wild Horse Reservoir - Owyhee, NV (Elko County)


by Nevada Department of Wildlife
5-22-2023
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Due to continued high run off from above average snowpack, water clarity remains poor.  Fishing for trout will be poor to fair in these reservoir conditions, and will remain so until the reservoir clarity improves with reduced spring runoff. Clearer water can be found towards the middle of the lake for boat anglers. Anglers wishing to target trout in these conditions should focus on bright or larger attractive lures such as rooster-tails, spoons, or Rapalas. Anglers fishing from a boat could do well trolling flashers, spoons, and Rapalas, in shallower depths. Anglers that are fly fishing may have success stripping Wooly Bugger or Leech patterns or fishing larger balance leeches under an indicator.

Perch fishing will remain slow due to the die off last year. Some anglers encountered limited numbers of Yellow Perch during the 2022-2023 ice fishing season. Anglers wishing to target perch will have limited success jigging small lures and bait near the bottom in 20-25 feet of water.

Bass fishing will remain slow until water temperatures begin to warm. Some fish may be caught fishing soft plastics and crankbaits around natural structures. One lucky angler reeled in a 9.5 pound wiper near the dam on an orange spoon. Black bass are catch and release only March 1 – June 30.





More Reports

Nevada Department of Wildlife Reports
for Monday, May 22nd, 2023

South Fork Reservoir: Trout fishing has been good with fish averaging 16-18 inches
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5-16-2023
Good news for eastern NV anglers! Thanks to abundant snowfall this winter, the Zunino/Jiggs Reservoir is filling up and fishable...... Read More