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Fishing regulations at Wild Horse Reservoir, 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
Yellow perch
The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.
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 Eastern Region Daily Limits
Elko, Eureka, Lander and White Pine Counties: No bull trout are allowed in possession. The daily limit is 5 trout, 5 mountain whitefish and 15 warmwater game fish of which not more than 10 may be black bass. The 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. No limit on northern pike or yellow perch (unlimited possession).
NV Eastern Region Bait Regs
While fishing in this region, the capture, possession, or use of fish as bait, whether dead or alive or the parts thereof, including commercially prepared and preserved baitfish is prohibited other than preserved salmon eggs. Aquatic bait may be used only in the water from which it is taken. See Fishing with Bait Fish for more regulations on the use of bait fish.
Ruby Lake National Wildlife RefugeYear round in all areas except as posted. Refuge is open 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset.From Jan 1 - June 14: limit is 5 trout and 5 black bass*.From June 15 - Dec 31: limit is 5 trout and 10 black bass*.*Minimum size for black bass is 10 inches total length.Special Regulations: The areas of the Collection Ditch that are open to fishing may be fished with artificial lures only. Chumming is prohibited. It is unlawful to clean or fillet fish within the boundaries of the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The possession or use of live or dead bait fish (including crayfish and amphibians) is prohibited anywhere on the refuge. See Boating Regulations for boating regulations and refer to the refuge website. The Gallagher Hatchery rearing, brood and spring ponds, and Cave Creek on the west side of the County Road are closed to fishing.
South Fork Reservoir and the South Fork of the Humboldt River from the Lucky Nugget Subdivision causeway downstream to its confluence with the Humboldt RiverYear round; any hour of the day or night. Exception: March 1 - June 30, catch and release fishing only for black bass.5 trout, 1 black bass, 1 white bass hybrid (wiper) and 5 channel catfish. Minimum size for black bass and white bass hybrids is 15 inches total length.
South Fork of the Humboldt River from the Lucky Nugget Subdivision causeway upstream to LeeYear round; any hour of the day or night1 troutSpecial Regulations: Only artificial lures with single barbless hooks may be used.
Wildhorse Reservoir and all inlet and outlet streams including Penrod Creek up to the bridge below the Gold Creek Ranger StationYear round; any hour of the day or night. Exception: March 1 - June 30, catch and release fishing only for black bass.5 trout, 1 black bass, 1 white bass hybrid (wiper) and 5 channel catfish. Minimum size for black bass and white bass hybrids is 15 inches total length. No limit on yellow perch (unlimited possession).
ELKO COUNTY CLOSED WATERS: In Ruby Valley, fishing is prohibited in Gallagher Hatchery rearing, brood and spring ponds; in Cave Creek west of the county road; and on Franklin Lake Wildlife Management Area.For Reese River regulations please see the Southern Region regulations for Nye County in Southern Region Regulations.
Smallmouth bass
The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.
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 Eastern Region Daily Limits
Elko, Eureka, Lander and White Pine Counties: No bull trout are allowed in possession. The daily limit is 5 trout, 5 mountain whitefish and 15 warmwater game fish of which not more than 10 may be black bass. The 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. No limit on northern pike or yellow perch (unlimited possession).
NV Eastern Region Bait Regs
While fishing in this region, the capture, possession, or use of fish as bait, whether dead or alive or the parts thereof, including commercially prepared and preserved baitfish is prohibited other than preserved salmon eggs. Aquatic bait may be used only in the water from which it is taken. See Fishing with Bait Fish for more regulations on the use of bait fish.
Ruby Lake National Wildlife RefugeYear round in all areas except as posted. Refuge is open 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset.From Jan 1 - June 14: limit is 5 trout and 5 black bass*.From June 15 - Dec 31: limit is 5 trout and 10 black bass*.*Minimum size for black bass is 10 inches total length.Special Regulations: The areas of the Collection Ditch that are open to fishing may be fished with artificial lures only. Chumming is prohibited. It is unlawful to clean or fillet fish within the boundaries of the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The possession or use of live or dead bait fish (including crayfish and amphibians) is prohibited anywhere on the refuge. See Boating Regulations for boating regulations and refer to the refuge website. The Gallagher Hatchery rearing, brood and spring ponds, and Cave Creek on the west side of the County Road are closed to fishing.
South Fork Reservoir and the South Fork of the Humboldt River from the Lucky Nugget Subdivision causeway downstream to its confluence with the Humboldt RiverYear round; any hour of the day or night. Exception: March 1 - June 30, catch and release fishing only for black bass.5 trout, 1 black bass, 1 white bass hybrid (wiper) and 5 channel catfish. Minimum size for black bass and white bass hybrids is 15 inches total length.
South Fork of the Humboldt River from the Lucky Nugget Subdivision causeway upstream to LeeYear round; any hour of the day or night1 troutSpecial Regulations: Only artificial lures with single barbless hooks may be used.
Wildhorse Reservoir and all inlet and outlet streams including Penrod Creek up to the bridge below the Gold Creek Ranger StationYear round; any hour of the day or night. Exception: March 1 - June 30, catch and release fishing only for black bass.5 trout, 1 black bass, 1 white bass hybrid (wiper) and 5 channel catfish. Minimum size for black bass and white bass hybrids is 15 inches total length. No limit on yellow perch (unlimited possession).
ELKO COUNTY CLOSED WATERS: In Ruby Valley, fishing is prohibited in Gallagher Hatchery rearing, brood and spring ponds; in Cave Creek west of the county road; and on Franklin Lake Wildlife Management Area.For Reese River regulations please see the Southern Region regulations for Nye County in Southern Region Regulations.
FAQ about Wild Horse Reservoir fishing
- Rainbow trout - 51 members reported to have caught this fish
- Yellow perch - 15 members reported to have caught this fish
- Smallmouth bass - 15 members reported to have caught this fish
- @hunter.fry reported a nice Rainbow trout.
- @busheyjacob reported a nice Cutbow.
- @busheyjacob reported a nice Tiger trout.
- @Jaquarius reported a nice Rainbow trout.
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