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Carson River

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Nevada, United States

5.0·971 catches

Top fish species at Carson River

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Carson River fishing reports

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Rainbow trout

13 in · 1 lb

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Smallmouth bass

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Smallmouth bass

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Rainbow trout

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Rainbow trout

11 in · 1 lb

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Rainbow trout

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General info

Carson River is a stream located in Lyon County, Nevada, United States. It is also intersecting with Churchill County, Nevada. It is most popular for fishing Smallmouth bass, Largemouth bass, and Rainbow trout.

Location

39°21′34.9″N 119°07′50″W
Directions

Official website

www.ndow.org

Amenities

When are Largemouth Bass biting on Carson River?

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Fishing regulations at Carson River, NV

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Nevada can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Smallmouth bass

Smallmouth bass

Regulation boundaryNV Nevada Western Region
Aggregate limit5

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Restrictions & requirements

NV Hook & Line

Fish may be taken only with hook and line attached to rod or reel and closely attended in the manner known as angling (Except as noted under Spearfishing / Bowfishing" and "Unprotected Fish"). No more than three baited hooks, nor more than three fly hooks, or two lures or plugs irrespective of the number of hooks or attractor blades attached thereto, may be attached to the line. No more than two lines may be used.

NV Spearfishing/Bowfishing

Persons may spearfish for unprotected fish in all Nevada waters except Lake Tahoe and Topaz Lake. Persons may spearfish for striped bass in Lake Mead and Lake Mohave from Cottonwood Cove to the cable below Hoover Dam. Spearfishing for striped bass is prohibited in that portion of Lake Mohave from Cottonwood Cove to Davis Dam and from Davis Dam down river to the Nevada state line. In Lakes Mead and Mohave and the Colorado River system, spearfishing is prohibited within 1/2 mile of any dock or swimming area. When spearfishing, a person must display, within 100 feet, an appropriate diver's flag. A mechanical spearing device may be used only under the surface of the water, and the spear must be attached to the device by a lanyard. Fishing license regulations apply to persons taking fish by means of spear or bow and arrow. (Refer to NAC 503.590-592) Only unprotected fish may be taken with a bow and arrow except where prohibited (Refer to NAC 503.580) Please contact the county you'll be fishing in prior to assure you are in compliance with county regulations. See Nevada State Regulations for more detail.

NV Western Region Daily Limits

The limit is 5 trout, 5 mountain whitefish and 15 warmwater game fish of which not more than 5 may be black bass and 5 may be walleye. Possession LimitsThe possession limit is two times the daily limit for the water in which the fish are caught. Possession limits apply to both general and special regulation waters.

NV Statewide Bait Use

Any person possessing a fishing license or permit, or otherwise exempted from such licenses, may capture, transport and use live baitfish, aquatic bait, or commercially prepared and preserved baitfish for fishing or personal consumption where specified by Region.Live baitfish means live, unprotected species of freshwater fish.Aquatic bait means live, unprotected amphibians (such as bullfrogs), crustaceans (such as crayfish), mollusks (such as clams and snails), insects (such as grasshoppers), or worms (such as natural earthworms or purchased nightcrawlers or redworms).The use of any game fish (see Coldwater Game Fish and Warmwater Game Fish sections below) or protected species as bait and parts thereof is prohibited, except preserved salmon eggs.Commercially Prepared and Preserved bait means dead dried, frozen, or liquid (such as in mineral oil, isopropyl alcohol, or ethyl alcohol), dry (such as in salt or borax), or other proprietary preserved or cured fish or their parts or aquatic bait.Any bait obtained from a licensed dealer of live bait fish must be accompanied by a current dated receipt by that dealer. See Fishing with Bait Fish for regulations for bait fishing by region.

Synonyms
Micropterus dolomieui
Location regulation notes
Western Region Daily LimitsExcept as noted under "Special Regulations" the daily limits are as follows:Carson City, Churchill County, Douglas County, Lyon County, Humbolt County, Mineral County, Pershing County, Storey County and Washoe County: The limit is 5 trout, 5 mountain whitefish and 15 warmwater game fish of which not more than 5 may be black bass and 5 may be walleye. Possession LimitsThe possession limit is two times the daily limit for the water in which the fish are caught. Possession limits apply to both general and special regulation waters.
Location specific information
Western Region Daily LimitsExcept as noted under "Special Regulations" the daily limits are as follows:Carson City, Churchill County, Douglas County, Lyon County, Humbolt County, Mineral County, Pershing County, Storey County and Washoe County: The limit is 5 trout, 5 mountain whitefish and 15 warmwater game fish of which not more than 5 may be black bass and 5 may be walleye. Possession LimitsThe possession limit is two times the daily limit for the water in which the fish are caught. Possession limits apply to both general and special regulation waters.Daily LimitsExcept as noted below the daily limits are as follows: 5 trout, 5 mountain whitefish and 15 warmwater game fish of which not more than 5 may be black bass and 5 may be walleye. Possession LimitsThe possession limit is two times the daily limit for the water in which the fish are caught. Possession limits apply to both general and special regulation waters. East Walker RiverYear round; any hour of the day or night.5 trout, 10 mountain whitefish and 15 warmwater game fish of which not more than 5 may be black bass.Special Regulations: Except in that portion of the East Walker River which is from ¼ mile above the confluence of the East Walker River and Sweetwater Creek downstream to ½ mile below the confluence of the East Walker River and Red Wash Creek, which is catch and release fishing only. Only artificial lures with single barbless hooks may be used.Lahontan ReservoirSee Churchill County.Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area Fort Churchill Cooling Pond Cooperative Management AreaSeason is open the second Saturday in February through September 30; 1 hour before sunrise to 2 hours after sunset.5 trout and 15 warmwater game fish of which not more than 2 may be black bass. Minimum size for black bass is 14 inches total length.Special Regulations: Fishing is prohibited from the center dike and posted areas. Wading or the use of boats and other floating devices is prohibited.Mason Valley Wildlife Management AreaSeason is open the second Saturday in February through September 30; any hour of the day or night on the following waters: Bass, Crappie, North Pond, Beaver Slough and that portion of the Walker River within the Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area.5 trout and 15 warmwater game fish of which not more than 2 may be black bass. Minimum size for black bass is 14 inches total length.Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area Hinkson SloughSame season as above.2 trout and 15 warmwater gamefish of which not more than 2 may be black bass. Minimum size for trout is 16 inches total length. Minimum size for black bass is 14 inches total length.Special Regulations: Artificial lures only (see General Statewide Regulations).Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area Eastside Waterfowl Series PondsSeason is open Aug. 16 through Sept. 30; any hour of the day or night.5 trout and 15 warmwater game fish of which not more than 2 may be black bass. Minimum size for black bass is 14 inches total length.Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area Kuenzli Pond, Hatchery Outpond 1, Hatchery Outpond 2, and Hatchery Outpond 3Season is open on the first Saturday in May, from 8 a.m. to sunset.3 game fish of which not more than 1 may be black bass.Note: These ponds are open for one day only.Mountain View Park PondYear round; hours are when the park is open to public use.3 game fish.LYON COUNTY CLOSED WATERS: All waters within the Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area except for those listed above
Season open: year-round
Largemouth bass

Largemouth bass

Regulation boundaryNV Nevada Western Region
Aggregate limit5

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Restrictions & requirements

NV Hook & Line

Fish may be taken only with hook and line attached to rod or reel and closely attended in the manner known as angling (Except as noted under Spearfishing / Bowfishing" and "Unprotected Fish"). No more than three baited hooks, nor more than three fly hooks, or two lures or plugs irrespective of the number of hooks or attractor blades attached thereto, may be attached to the line. No more than two lines may be used.

NV Spearfishing/Bowfishing

Persons may spearfish for unprotected fish in all Nevada waters except Lake Tahoe and Topaz Lake. Persons may spearfish for striped bass in Lake Mead and Lake Mohave from Cottonwood Cove to the cable below Hoover Dam. Spearfishing for striped bass is prohibited in that portion of Lake Mohave from Cottonwood Cove to Davis Dam and from Davis Dam down river to the Nevada state line. In Lakes Mead and Mohave and the Colorado River system, spearfishing is prohibited within 1/2 mile of any dock or swimming area. When spearfishing, a person must display, within 100 feet, an appropriate diver's flag. A mechanical spearing device may be used only under the surface of the water, and the spear must be attached to the device by a lanyard. Fishing license regulations apply to persons taking fish by means of spear or bow and arrow. (Refer to NAC 503.590-592) Only unprotected fish may be taken with a bow and arrow except where prohibited (Refer to NAC 503.580) Please contact the county you'll be fishing in prior to assure you are in compliance with county regulations. See Nevada State Regulations for more detail.

NV Western Region Daily Limits

The limit is 5 trout, 5 mountain whitefish and 15 warmwater game fish of which not more than 5 may be black bass and 5 may be walleye. Possession LimitsThe possession limit is two times the daily limit for the water in which the fish are caught. Possession limits apply to both general and special regulation waters.

NV Statewide Bait Use

Any person possessing a fishing license or permit, or otherwise exempted from such licenses, may capture, transport and use live baitfish, aquatic bait, or commercially prepared and preserved baitfish for fishing or personal consumption where specified by Region.Live baitfish means live, unprotected species of freshwater fish.Aquatic bait means live, unprotected amphibians (such as bullfrogs), crustaceans (such as crayfish), mollusks (such as clams and snails), insects (such as grasshoppers), or worms (such as natural earthworms or purchased nightcrawlers or redworms).The use of any game fish (see Coldwater Game Fish and Warmwater Game Fish sections below) or protected species as bait and parts thereof is prohibited, except preserved salmon eggs.Commercially Prepared and Preserved bait means dead dried, frozen, or liquid (such as in mineral oil, isopropyl alcohol, or ethyl alcohol), dry (such as in salt or borax), or other proprietary preserved or cured fish or their parts or aquatic bait.Any bait obtained from a licensed dealer of live bait fish must be accompanied by a current dated receipt by that dealer. See Fishing with Bait Fish for regulations for bait fishing by region.

Edibility
Very good Catch, Clean, Cook Largemouth Bass by BlueGabe
Synonyms
Micropterus nigricans
Location regulation notes
Western Region Daily LimitsExcept as noted under "Special Regulations" the daily limits are as follows:Carson City, Churchill County, Douglas County, Lyon County, Humbolt County, Mineral County, Pershing County, Storey County and Washoe County: The limit is 5 trout, 5 mountain whitefish and 15 warmwater game fish of which not more than 5 may be black bass and 5 may be walleye. Possession LimitsThe possession limit is two times the daily limit for the water in which the fish are caught. Possession limits apply to both general and special regulation waters.
Location specific information
Western Region Daily LimitsExcept as noted under "Special Regulations" the daily limits are as follows:Carson City, Churchill County, Douglas County, Lyon County, Humbolt County, Mineral County, Pershing County, Storey County and Washoe County: The limit is 5 trout, 5 mountain whitefish and 15 warmwater game fish of which not more than 5 may be black bass and 5 may be walleye. Possession LimitsThe possession limit is two times the daily limit for the water in which the fish are caught. Possession limits apply to both general and special regulation waters.Daily LimitsExcept as noted below the daily limits are as follows: 5 trout, 5 mountain whitefish and 15 warmwater game fish of which not more than 5 may be black bass and 5 may be walleye. Possession LimitsThe possession limit is two times the daily limit for the water in which the fish are caught. Possession limits apply to both general and special regulation waters. East Walker RiverYear round; any hour of the day or night.5 trout, 10 mountain whitefish and 15 warmwater game fish of which not more than 5 may be black bass.Special Regulations: Except in that portion of the East Walker River which is from ¼ mile above the confluence of the East Walker River and Sweetwater Creek downstream to ½ mile below the confluence of the East Walker River and Red Wash Creek, which is catch and release fishing only. Only artificial lures with single barbless hooks may be used.Lahontan ReservoirSee Churchill County.Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area Fort Churchill Cooling Pond Cooperative Management AreaSeason is open the second Saturday in February through September 30; 1 hour before sunrise to 2 hours after sunset.5 trout and 15 warmwater game fish of which not more than 2 may be black bass. Minimum size for black bass is 14 inches total length.Special Regulations: Fishing is prohibited from the center dike and posted areas. Wading or the use of boats and other floating devices is prohibited.Mason Valley Wildlife Management AreaSeason is open the second Saturday in February through September 30; any hour of the day or night on the following waters: Bass, Crappie, North Pond, Beaver Slough and that portion of the Walker River within the Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area.5 trout and 15 warmwater game fish of which not more than 2 may be black bass. Minimum size for black bass is 14 inches total length.Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area Hinkson SloughSame season as above.2 trout and 15 warmwater gamefish of which not more than 2 may be black bass. Minimum size for trout is 16 inches total length. Minimum size for black bass is 14 inches total length.Special Regulations: Artificial lures only (see General Statewide Regulations).Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area Eastside Waterfowl Series PondsSeason is open Aug. 16 through Sept. 30; any hour of the day or night.5 trout and 15 warmwater game fish of which not more than 2 may be black bass. Minimum size for black bass is 14 inches total length.Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area Kuenzli Pond, Hatchery Outpond 1, Hatchery Outpond 2, and Hatchery Outpond 3Season is open on the first Saturday in May, from 8 a.m. to sunset.3 game fish of which not more than 1 may be black bass.Note: These ponds are open for one day only.Mountain View Park PondYear round; hours are when the park is open to public use.3 game fish.LYON COUNTY CLOSED WATERS: All waters within the Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area except for those listed above
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Local laws and licenses

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Reviews of Carson River

5.0
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3 ratings

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Cities nearby

Silver Springs

4.8 miles away

Stagecoach

13.5 miles away

Fernley

14.3 miles away

Fallon

20.4 miles away

Wadsworth

20.7 miles away

Fallon Station

22.4 miles away

Dayton

24.3 miles away

Silver City

27.8 miles away

Virginia City

27.9 miles away

Yerington

28.0 miles away

Schurz

31.7 miles away

Sparks

34.5 miles away

Nixon

34.6 miles away

Washoe Valley

34.8 miles away

Spanish Springs

35.3 miles away

Carson City

36.0 miles away

Johnson Lane

38.4 miles away

Sun Valley

38.6 miles away

Fish Springs

39.6 miles away

Indian Hills

40.3 miles away

Reno

40.5 miles away

Golden Valley

41.0 miles away

Mogul

43.6 miles away

Lemmon Valley

43.9 miles away

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FAQ about Carson River fishing

📍 Where is the Carson River located?
the Carson River is a stream located in Lyon County, Nevada, United States. It is also intersecting with Churchill County, Nevada. Its coordinates are:
39°21′34.9″N 119°07′50″W
.
🎣 Where on the Carson River is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the Carson River by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in the Carson River?
The most common species in the Carson River are:
📢 What are the latest Carson River fishing reports?
The latest Carson River fishing reports are:
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at the Carson River?

Fishing in Nevada requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Licenses include resident and non-resident, annual, short-term, and combination permits, available online or at licensed agents.

In Nevada, no fishing license is required for anglers under 12. Residents 65 and older qualify for a discounted license. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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