ICE SAFETY WARNING – Wild Horse Reservoir

Wild Horse Reservoir - Owyhee, NV (Elko County)


by Nevada Department of Wildlife
2-12-2026
Website

Current ice conditions at Wild Horse Reservoir are not considered safe. We recommend staying off any remaining ice at this time. Ice continues to deteriorate with the warmer temps leaving many open edges, areas of open water, rotten ice, and soft edges that are not ideal for a safe outing. There are some thicker areas of ice in the northern part of the lake, but access from the shoreline can be unsafe.
Several access points along the shoreline are fishable and while the boat ramp is not accessible yet, a small pack-able vessel may be another option to launch from the shore.
• The State Park boat ramp has 4-6 ft of open water between the shoreline and the
ice. The edges of the ice are very soft. There is still a “river” of open water running
south from the ramp across the lake.
• The south end of the lake is in the worst condition, with large areas of open water.
• The Penrod Arm has a decent sheet of ice, but the edges are soft with open water
in some areas.
• The Hendricks Arm has soft ice around the edges and open water along some of
the shoreline. Areas measured were 4-6" thick, but the ice is actively shrinking.
• Goose Island has open water almost completely surrounding it and working up
the shoreline to the north and south.