Ice fishing for trout has been good

Wild Horse Reservoir - Owyhee, NV (Elko County)


by Nevada Department of Wildlife
1-28-2022
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As of Thursday, January 27, Wildhorse had nine to 15 inches of ice near the state park boat ramp but was averaging 12 inches in most places.  There is enough snow on top of the ice to make walking safer but not so much to make it harder.  The contrast between very warm afternoons and very cold nighttime temperatures is continuing to build pressure ridges but most are still not too bad.  There is one on the west side of the lake anglers should stay away from.  Fishing for trout has been good using PowerBait or worms fished about four to six feet below the ice though a few are being caught throughout the depths. Trout have been averaging 15 to 20 inches with a few in the 20+ range.  Perch fishing has been good for numbers but it takes a lot of catching to get a few keepers.  The larger perch generally are deeper in the water column, often 25 to 35 feet deep, the best fishing for the larger fish is further from shore so anglers do need to head out from shore into deeper water.  For perch fish within a foot of the bottom in 25 to 35 feet of water using small plastic jigs tipped with a piece of worm.  A slight jigging action occasionally helps.  If you are catching mostly small ones, move as they generally school by size.  Those anglers willing to move and punch a lot of holes in the ice eventually start catching keepers.  The ice skating rink by the state park boat ramp is in great shape so bring your skates. The State Park Campground is open on a first come first served, with the loop closest to the boat ramp open for campers.




More Reports

Nevada Department of Wildlife Reports
for Friday, January 28th, 2022

Illipah Reservoir: There is eight to 13 inches of good ice with some slick ice
Angel Lake: The road to Angel Lake is closed for the winter