Low water levels caused by persistent drought conditions and irrigation demands at Wildhorse and Willow Creek Reservoirs have prompted the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners at the request of the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) to remove the limit on game fish, allowing anglers unlimited take. This regulation is in effect May 15, 2014 and will run through February 28, 2015.


NDOW is concerned that with anticipated low reservoir water levels during the hot summer months the oxygen levels in the water could become low enough to cause a large number of the trout to die. In addition to the possibility of a near total die off of trout, significant impacts are also expected for warm-water game fish species.


Wildhorse Reservoir is located 65 miles North of Elko on State Hwy 225 and is one of Northeast Nevada's largest and most popular fisheries for quality and trophy size trout, including rainbow, bowcutt (hybrid cross of a rainbow and cutthroat trout), brown and tiger trout, smallmouth bass, some largemouth bass, channel catfish, wipers (white bass and striper hybrid), and yellow perch. The fishery is well known for good catch rates and liberal limits, trout harvest that average in length of 16 to 22 inches long and year round angling opportunity throughout the seasons.


Willow Creek Reservoir is a remote warm water reservoir in the Northwest Elko County. It is located off the dirt road between Tuscarora and Midas. This reservoir is known primarily for white crappie that range from 8 to 12 inches. The reservoir also offers opportunity for black bass, channel catfish and cutthroat trout.