Fishing Fun: 7 Nevada State Parks to Reel in the Big One

While Nevada is known for its vast desert landscapes, it’s also home to several state parks that offer excellent fishing opportunities. This pie-like slice of sunshine sits between California, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Arizona and offers a wonderland of outdoor activities and recreation.

Whether you're looking for trout, bass, catfish or crappie, Nevada's state parks provide scenic and productive fishing spots for anglers of all levels. Here are some of the best state parks in Nevada for fishing whether you’re trailering a boat or taking off from a private boat dock for rent.

1. Wild Horse State Recreation Area

Located in northeastern Nevada in Elko, Wild Horse State Recreation Area is a top destination for fishing enthusiasts. The reservoir is stocked with rainbow trout, German brown trout, yellow perch and smallmouth bass, making it a year-round fishing hotspot whether you’re trailering from a marina or a private boat lift for rent. Ice fishing is also popular during the winter months.

• Water: Fresh
• Key Species: German brown trout, rainbow trout, perch 
• Fishing Type: Boat, Shore, Ice 

2. Echo Canyon State Park

Situated in southeastern Nevada in Pioche, Echo Canyon State Park features a 65-acre reservoir that is well-stocked with rainbow trout, largemouth bass and crappie. The park offers a tranquil setting for fishing and plenty of shoreline access and a boat ramp for those who prefer fishing on the water.  When you’ve reeled in the day’s catch, spend some time watching for eagles, herons, bobcats and other western wildlife.

• Water: Fresh
• Key Species: Rainbow trout, crappie, bass, largemouth bass
• Fishing Type: Boat, shore

3. Spring Valley State Park

Home to the Eagle Valley Reservoir, Spring Valley State Park in Pioche is a hidden gem for fishing in Nevada. The 59-acre reservoir is stocked with rainbow trout, and anglers can also find largemouth bass and crappie. The park’s peaceful environment and picturesque scenery make it a great place for a relaxing fishing trip. You can tour an 1800s ranch house, and you might be sharing the waterways with eagles, hawks, herons and trumpeter swans.

• Water: Fresh
• Key Species: Rainbow trout, tiger trout, crappie, largemouth bass
• Fishing Type: Boat, shore

4. Cave Lake State Park

Cave Lake State Park, located near Ely, is a favorite among trout fishermen. The lake is stocked with rainbow and brown trout and offers excellent fishing opportunities throughout the year. The park also hosts an annual ice fishing derby in the winter that attracts anglers from across the region.

• Water: Fresh
• Key Species: Rainbow and German brown trout
• Fishing Type: Shore, boat, ice

5. Rye Patch State Recreation Area

Stretching along the Humboldt River, Rye Patch State Recreation Area boasts a 22-mile-long reservoir filled with walleye, catfish, white bass and crappie. The park has ample fishing spots along the shoreline, as well as boat access for those looking to explore deeper waters from private boat slips for rent.

• Water: Fresh
• Key Species: Walleye, white bass, crappie, catfish
• Fishing Type: Boat, shore

6. South Fork State Recreation Area

Backed by the Ruby Mountains, South Fork State Recreation Area in Spring Creek, near Elko, is known for its outstanding fishing, particularly for rainbow trout, brown trout, smallmouth bass and catfish. The South Fork Reservoir provides a variety of fishing environments, including rocky shorelines, deep waters and submerged vegetation that attract fish. Activities include swimming, hunting and wildlife watching for beavers, badgers and kit foxes.

• Water: Fresh
• Key Species: Trout, catfish, bass
• Fishing Type: Boat, shore

7. Washoe Lake State Park

Just a short drive from Reno and nearby Lake Tahoe, Washoe Lake State Park in Carson City offers fishing for unique varieties such as wipers (also known as a whiterock bass - it’s a cross between a white bass and a striped bass), channel catfish and Sacramento perch.

The lake’s fluctuating water levels can impact fishing conditions, but it remains a good spot for shore and boat fishing. Enjoy views of the Sierra Nevada, Virginia and Carson mountain ranges and look for Canadian geese and American white pelicans while fishing, hiking, camping, picnicking and horseback riding.

• Water: Fresh
• Key Species: Channel and bullhead catfish, white bass, Sacramento perch, wipers
• Fishing Type: Boat, shore