Cold Creek Reservoir - Newark Valley, NV

Cold Creek Reservoir, situated in White Pine County, Nevada, approximately equidistant from Eureka and Ely, functions as a dynamic high-desert mixed-species fishery. This impoundment, subject to significant hydrological fluctuations, is actively managed by the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). It sustains populations of stocked Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), Tiger Trout (Salmo trutta × Salvelinus fontinalis hybrid), and naturally established Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides), with ongoing augmentation efforts for the latter.

Angling methodologies are comprehensive and adapted to species-specific behaviors. For trout, conventional bait presentations and spin casting with spinners or spoons are effective, particularly during cooler periods (March-June, Oct-Nov). Largemouth Bass are optimally targeted from June through September using Rapalas, swimbaits, or crankbaits, focusing on submerged structures. Fly fishing with nymph and streamer patterns is productive for both salmonids and bass. Catch and release is encouraged for bass. Access is via Highway 892 on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public lands; primitive road conditions necessitate high-clearance vehicles. Anglers are unequivocally mandated to consult current NDOW regulations concerning specific bag limits (5 trout, 5 black bass with 10-inch minimum) and any area-specific provisions, critical for navigating this variable desert fishery.