Wild Horse Reservoir
Wild Horse Reservoir is a high-desert impoundment offering excellent fishing for rainbow and brown trout plus smallmouth bass in a remote northern Nevada setting. This 2,830-acre reservoir provides good shore and boat fishing opportunities with a reputation for quality-sized trout and aggressive bass in scenic sagebrush country.
Overview
Wild Horse Reservoir is a Bureau of Reclamation irrigation reservoir located approximately 65 miles north of Elko near the Idaho border. At 6,200 feet elevation in high-desert sagebrush and juniper country, the reservoir impounds Owyhee River water and provides a productive multi-species fishery in a remote, uncrowded setting.
The reservoir is stocked annually with rainbow trout by Nevada Department of Wildlife and supports a population of wild brown trout. Smallmouth bass have established a strong population, providing warm-water fishing opportunities. Fish sizes are respectable: rainbow trout averaging 13-16 inches with occasional fish over 20 inches, brown trout to 22 inches, and smallmouth bass in the 12-16 inch range with occasional 4-5 pounders.
Fly fishing tactics mirror other northern Nevada reservoirs: chironomid hatches in spring, damselfly emergences in late spring and early summer, and streamer fishing for trout and bass. The reservoir has a boat ramp and primitive camping, but facilities are minimal. This is a backcountry fishing destination for self-sufficient anglers.
Water levels fluctuate based on irrigation demands and snowpack, with the reservoir at its fullest in spring and early summer. Late summer drawdown can be severe in dry years, but it concentrates fish and can improve fishing. Ice fishing is popular in winter.
Water Characteristics
Wild Horse Reservoir is a high-desert irrigation impoundment with moderate water clarity (2-5 feet visibility depending on season and wind). Water temperatures range from the low 40s in early spring to the mid-70s F in late summer, warm enough for smallmouth bass but challenging for trout.
The reservoir's food base includes chironomids, damselflies, leeches, scuds, and forage fish. The trout fishery is maintained by annual stocking from NDOW. Brown trout reproduce naturally in tributary streams. Smallmouth bass feed on crayfish and forage fish, growing to impressive sizes.
The setting is remote high desert with sagebrush hills, juniper trees, and dramatic views. Facilities are primitive: boat ramp, vault toilets, and dispersed camping. This is backcountry Nevada at its finest.
Wading & Float Guide
Wild Horse Reservoir is primarily fished from boats or float tubes, but shore fishing and wading are viable. The reservoir has gently sloping banks with gravel and rocky shorelines in most areas. Wading is safe along the shorelines, allowing fly anglers to reach cruising fish.
The dam area and the inlet areas where Pie Creek and other tributaries enter offer good wade-fishing access. Chest waders allow you to wade out to deeper water. A float tube or pontoon boat greatly expands access to productive water, particularly the points and submerged structure away from shore.
Water levels drop through summer and fall, exposing mudflats and rocky shorelines. Spring offers the best wading conditions with higher water levels.
Reservoir boat/float tube fishing
Wild Horse Reservoir has a concrete boat ramp allowing motorized boats, kayaks, and float tubes. Gas motors and electric motors permitted. Float tubes and pontoon boats are ideal for fly anglers. Focus on the dam area, the inlets, and rocky points. Be aware of rapidly changing weather and wind; this is high, exposed desert.
Rod & Tackle Guide
Trout fishing (chironomids, nymphs)
- Rod
- 9' or 10' 5-weight or 6-weight
- Line
- Weight-forward floating; Type II or Type III sinking line for deeper water
- Leader & Tippet
- 12-15' tapered to 5X or 6X for chironomids
Long rod for stillwater mending and indicator control. Bring chironomids (sizes 14-20), damselfly nymphs, leeches, and Woolly Buggers. Intermediate or sinking lines essential for summer trout fishing.
Smallmouth bass fishing
- Rod
- 9' 6-weight or 7-weight
- Line
- Weight-forward floating
- Leader & Tippet
- 7.5-9' tapered to 2X or 3X
Heavier rod for bass poppers and larger streamers. Bring poppers (sizes 4-8) and Clouser Minnows, Woolly Buggers in sizes 4-8. Bass fight hard; enjoy the battle.
Seasonal Fishing Guide
Spring
Late April through June is prime season. Chironomid hatches bring trout to the surface, and damselfly nymphs migrate to shore in late May and June. Fish chironomid patterns (sizes 14-18) under a strike indicator in 8-15 feet of water. The inlet areas attract fish with cooler, oxygenated water. Ice-off typically occurs by late March or early April, and the reservoir fills with spring runoff. Shore fishing is productive as trout cruise the shallows.
Summer
As water warms (typically by late June or July), trout fishing slows and smallmouth bass action heats up. Fish poppers and Woolly Buggers along rocky points and shorelines for aggressive bass. Early mornings and evenings offer the best fishing. Trout move to deeper, cooler water; try deep nymphing with sinking lines or weighted flies in 15-25 feet. Float tubes allow access to cooler areas.
Fall
September and October offer excellent fishing as water temperatures cool. Trout become active again, and brown trout stage near the inlets for spawning. Fish Woolly Buggers, leeches, and large nymphs along the shorelines and drop-offs. Chironomid hatches resume. This is prime time for fewer crowds and aggressive fish. Water levels may be significantly drawn down, but fish concentrate in remaining deeper water.
Fishing Pressure & Local Tips
Wild Horse Reservoir sees light to moderate fishing pressure, primarily from Elko-area anglers and visiting bass fishermen. Spring and early summer weekends can be busy, but the reservoir is large enough to absorb pressure. Weekday trips offer excellent solitude. Fall sees very light pressure despite outstanding fishing.
Local Knowledge
Wild Horse Reservoir requires preparation. The reservoir is 65 miles from Elko via Highway 225 (paved) and Wild Horse Road (gravel). High-clearance vehicles are recommended, though passenger cars can make the trip in good weather. Bring all supplies from Elko; there are no services at the reservoir.
For trout, use chironomid patterns under strike indicators or slow-retrieve damselfly nymphs and leeches. For bass, poppers and Woolly Buggers in olive, brown, and black are deadly. The wind can blow hard in the afternoon; fish mornings or find sheltered coves. Camping is primitive and free; bring everything you need. Cell service is nonexistent.
Species Present
Rainbow Trout
The rainbow trout is Montana's most widespread and popular gamefish, celebrated for its explosive surface strikes, aerial acrobatics, and willingness to take a well-presented dry fly. Native to Pacific Coast drainages from Alaska to Mexico, rainbows were first introduced to Montana's waters in the late 1800s and have since established thriving populations in nearly every major river system in the state. On legendary waters like the Madison, Missouri, and Bighorn, wild rainbow trout grow fat on prolific insect hatches and provide some of the finest dry-fly fishing in North America. Rainbow trout in Montana display remarkable variation depending on their home water. Fish in nutrient-rich tailwaters like the Missouri River below Holter Dam can exceed 20 inches with regularity, their deep bodies and broad tails reflecting the abundant food supply. Freestone river rainbows, such as those in the upper Madison and Gallatin, tend to be leaner and more athletic, shaped by faster currents and colder water temperatures. In many Montana rivers, rainbows spawn in the spring from March through June, and anglers should be mindful of spawning redds during this period to protect future generations of fish. Rainbows are arguably the most versatile trout species for fly anglers. They respond well to dry flies during hatches, aggressively chase streamers, and feed heavily on nymphs subsurface throughout the year. Their fighting ability is legendary: a hooked rainbow will often launch itself completely out of the water multiple times during a battle. Montana's catch-and-release regulations on many blue-ribbon streams have produced exceptional rainbow trout fisheries with high densities of large, healthy fish that continue to draw anglers from around the world.
Brown Trout
The brown trout is the most cunning and elusive trout species swimming in Montana's rivers, and it rewards patient, skilled anglers with some of the state's most memorable catches. Originally native to Europe and western Asia, brown trout were first introduced to North American waters in 1883 and arrived in Montana shortly thereafter. They have since established robust, self-sustaining populations in virtually every major trout stream in the state, from the legendary spring creeks of the Paradise Valley to the sweeping runs of the lower Madison and the deep pools of the Bighorn. Brown trout grow larger than any other trout species in Montana, and fish exceeding 24 inches are caught with regularity on premium waters. The lower Madison River, the Missouri River below Holter Dam, and the Bighorn River are particularly renowned for producing trophy-class browns. Unlike rainbows, brown trout spawn in the fall (October through November), and their aggressive pre-spawn behavior creates an exciting window for streamer fishing as large males become territorial and attack anything that enters their domain. Browns are notably more nocturnal than other trout species, and many of the biggest fish are caught during low-light conditions. What sets brown trout apart from other species is their wariness and selectivity. Large browns are notoriously difficult to fool, often refusing flies that are even slightly off in size, color, or presentation. They tend to establish and defend prime feeding lies (undercut banks, logjams, deep pools, and boulder gardens), and an angler who learns to read water and identify these holding spots will consistently catch more and larger fish. This combination of difficulty, size potential, and intelligence makes the brown trout the most prized quarry for many serious Montana fly fishers.
Smallmouth Bass
The smallmouth bass is one of the most popular and widely distributed gamefish in North America and one of the finest freshwater species available to fly anglers. Found in clear, cool rivers and lakes from the Great Lakes to the Southern Appalachians, smallmouth bass combine aggressive feeding behavior, remarkable fighting ability, and a preference for the kinds of rocky, current-rich habitats that are ideally suited to fly fishing. Pound for pound, the smallmouth bass is widely considered the hardest-fighting freshwater fish in North America, earning it the nickname 'the bronze bomber' for its explosive takes and powerful, acrobatic battles on the end of a line. While smallmouth bass are not a traditional trout-stream species, they have become increasingly important to fly anglers as warm-water fly fishing has grown in popularity. Rivers like the French Broad in North Carolina, the Susquehanna and Delaware in Pennsylvania, and the St. Lawrence in New York support world-class smallmouth fisheries that attract dedicated fly anglers. In many regions, smallmouth bass inhabit the lower reaches of the same river systems that hold trout in their upper reaches, providing fly anglers with a warm-water counterpart to their cold-water fishing. Smallmouth bass are particularly appealing to fly anglers because they readily take surface flies. On warm summer evenings, smallmouth will crush poppers, sliders, and large dry flies with explosive strikes that rival any trout rise. Their willingness to feed on the surface, combined with their strength and acrobatic leaping ability, makes smallmouth bass on a fly rod one of the most thrilling freshwater fly fishing experiences available.
Hatch Chart
| Insect | Suggested Fly | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chironomids (Midges) afternoon | Zebra Midge | ||||||||||||
Damselfly Nymphs all day | Woolly Bugger |
Chironomids (Midges): Critical spring hatch. Sizes 14-18. Suspend under indicator.
Damselfly Nymphs: Damselflies migrate in late spring. Olive/brown size 8-10.
Recommended Flies
Zebra Midge
Top PickZebra Midge for chironomid fishing, sizes 14-18
Best in spring
Woolly Bugger
Top PickWoolly Bugger for trout and bass, olive/brown/black
Best in spring
Ray Charles
Top PickRay Charles midge pupa under indicator
Best in spring
Also Effective
Access Points & Boat Launches
Wild Horse Recreation Area Boat Ramp
Boat LaunchModerate (remote location, gravel road)Concrete boat ramp and primary access to Wild Horse Reservoir. BLM-managed site with primitive facilities. Good shore fishing near the ramp and inlet areas. Motorized boats, kayaks, and float tubes allowed. Located approximately 65 miles north of Elko via Highway 225 and Wild Horse Road (last section gravel). Remote location; bring all supplies.
Dam Area Shore Access
Wade AccessEasy to ModerateShore access near the dam for wade fishing and float tube launch. Spring and fall trout fishing as fish concentrate in deeper water near the dam. Rocky shorelines hold smallmouth bass in summer. Walk-in access from parking areas.
Regulations
Regulations
BLM Wild Horse State Recreation Area regulations apply. Rainbow Trout: 5 fish bag limit (stocked fishery). Brown Trout: 2 fish bag limit. Smallmouth Bass: No bag or size limits (warmwater species). Nevada fishing license required. Day-use and camping fees may apply. Open year-round. Verify current regulations at blm.gov and ndow.org.
Always verify current regulations with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks before fishing.
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Quick Facts
- Region
- Northern Nevada / Elko County
- Water Type
- Stillwater
- River Length
- N/A (2,830-acre reservoir)
- Difficulty
- Beginner-Intermediate
- Best Seasons
- spring, summer, fall
- Trout Per Mile
- N/A (lake fishery)
- Record Trout
- Brown trout exceeding 24 inches documented; rainbows to 22 inches
- Species
- Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass
Nearby Rivers
Truckee River
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Pyramid Lake
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East Walker River
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East Fork Carson River
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Jarbidge River
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Ruby Mountains / Lamoille Creek
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Bruneau River
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South Fork Reservoir
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Great Basin NP Streams
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