FishKillFlea Nevada is a desert fishing paradise nobody expects — Lake Mead's 247-square-mile bass and striper bonanza, Lake Tahoe's crystal-clear mackinaw trout at 6,200 feet, Pyramid Lake's world-record Lahontan cutthroat, Ruby Mountains' alpine brook trout, and hidden desert reservoirs with walleye and catfish. The Nevada fishing license at $40 opens a surprisingly diverse angling world.
Trophy Waters
| Water | Region | Species | Why Famous |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Mead | S Nevada (NV/AZ) | LMB, striped bass, catfish | 247 sq mi — unlimited stripers! 30-lb bass! |
| Lake Tahoe | NW Nevada | Mackinaw, rainbow, brown | Crystal-clear alpine — 20-lb mackinaw! |
| Pyramid Lake | N Nevada | Lahontan cutthroat | World's largest cutthroat — 20+ lbs! (tribal permit) |
| Ruby Mountains | NE Nevada (Elko) | Brook, rainbow trout | "Alps of Nevada" — 20+ alpine lakes & streams |
Desert Reservoirs
| Lake | Species | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lahontan Reservoir | Walleye, bass, catfish | Desert oasis — excellent walleye |
| Rye Patch Reservoir | Walleye, bass | N Nevada — scenic desert |
| Wildhorse Reservoir | Trout, bass | NE Nevada — high desert beauty |
| Echo Canyon Reservoir | Rainbow trout, bass | E Nevada — stocked rainbow haven |
Seasonal Guide
| Season | Best Targets | Prime Spots | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Bass pre-spawn Mead, Pyramid cutthroat peak | Lake Mead, Pyramid Lake | April Pyramid cutthroat = trophy season! |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Deep Tahoe macks, Mead stripers, Ruby Mtns | Tahoe, Mead, Ruby Mountains | Fish deep at Tahoe (100+ ft) for macks |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Fall bass, stocked trout, walleye | Mead, urban ponds, Lahontan | Oct Mead striper boils = exciting action! |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Wildhorse ice fishing, stocked urban trout | Wildhorse, urban ponds | Winter stocking in Las Vegas ponds! |
Neighboring: California for Sierra trout, Arizona for Roosevelt Lake, Utah for Flaming Gorge, Oregon for steelhead.
A Nevada fishing license is $40 + $10 trout stamp if needed. See full costs or buy yours.