South Fork Reservoir Fishing Report

South Fork Reservoir - Elko, NV (Elko County)


by Nevada Department of Wildlife
7-8-2022
Website

Surface water temperatures have moved into high 60’s to low 70’s and fishing for bass has been good. With the warmer temperatures and sunny days, the algae and the weed beds at the south end of the lake are growing. Fishing has been fair to good for 15-to 20-inch trout for spin, bait and fly rodders from boats or float tubes but just fair for shore anglers. The bests time to fish from shore is between sunup and 9:00 am when the water closer to shore is cooler. Wiper fishing has been fair to good with a few nice fish in the six to 10 lb. range being taken. Bait anglers seem to be having the best luck with worms floated off the bottom about 20-30 feet from shore in deeper water. Fly fishermen report that fishing has also been fair to good for trout.. Damsels are hatching and damselfly nymphs and dries are catching fish. Black or red snow cones with a white bead and contrasting red or black wire ribbing fished under an indicator have also been working. Black, olive or purple wooly buggers and leech patterns are other patterns to try. Mayflies are hatching so the usual Mayfly patterns such as pale morning duns (PMD’s), Adams, light Cahills and blue winged olives should work. Spin fishermen should be using gold-colored spinners or lures for trout. Bass are taking dark soft plastic baits with sparkles in colors such as blue, motor oil, purple and dark green. Crankbaits are also working for bass as are poppers in low light still water conditions. Anglers also report catching wipers trolling the same soft plastic baits. South Fork was stocked with 500 wipers and 10,000 catfish last month. Both smallmouth and largemouth bass may be kept. The limit is one black bass 15 inches or longer.