Wildhorse Reservoir

Wildhorse Reservoir was constructed in 1937 and reconstructed in 1970. Its primary purpose is for irrigation storage and, therefore, has large seasonal drawdowns. Most of the surrounding land is administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, but is leased to the Duck Valley Indian Reservation. Additionally, Wildhorse State Recreation Area and some private property surround the reservoir

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Region
Eastern
County
Elko
Type of water
Lake or Reservoir
Fishing Report

Water temps are in the high 60s. Algae is still dispersed across much of the reservoir, with some areas thicker than others. Weed growth is increasing in the coves, but there are still areas shoreline anglers can fish around it. Trout fishing from shore is slow due to hot daytime temperatures, but boaters are reporting decent catch rates in deeper water. Shoreline anglers will have the most luck in the early morning. Trout are averaging 16″ to 22″. Try throwing small, flashy spinners or night crawlers combined with PowerBait fished off the bottom. Fly anglers are reporting luck with a variety of chironomid patterns, or nymphs to match the hatch.

Bass anglers are reporting good catch rates. Both crankbaits and bladed jigs are getting hit. Soft plastics in green pumpkin, watermelon and other darker varieties are working well too. Special regulations: Beginning July 1, anglers may keep one black bass 15 inches or longer.

Wildhorse Reservoir Angler Guide Information

08-15-2025

Stocking Updates

Stocked Species Inches Date Stocked Year to Date
6778Tiger Trout4.107-28-20256778
1987Brown Trout4.507-28-202510799
6368Rainbow Trout8.606-26-202533564
6736Rainbow Trout8.406-23-202527196
1980Rainbow Trout9.806-17-202520460
4596Rainbow Trout8.706-17-202518480
4764Rainbow Trout10.006-12-202513884
9120Rainbow Trout10.106-11-20259120
4294Brown Trout10.306-03-20258812
1000Wiper6-905-29-20251000
5000Channel Catfish4-605-29-20255000
4518Brown Trout10.005-28-20254518
5157Rainbow Trout9.011-25-202473886
6913Tiger Trout11.311-22-20246913
7168Brown Trout10.411-21-20247168
5068Rainbow Trout8.811-07-202468729
5808Rainbow Trout8.811-06-202463661
12670Rainbow Trout8.811-04-202457853
6878Rainbow Trout8.811-01-202445183
2187Rainbow Trout10.106-26-202438305
5166Rainbow Trout9.606-17-202436118
6400Rainbow Trout9.206-11-202430952
11196Rainbow Trout9.306-10-202424552
4896Rainbow Trout9.706-06-202413356
5000Channel Catfish4.005-23-20245000
546Wiper8.005-23-2024546
8460Rainbow Trout 10.205-14-20248460
2520Rainbow Trout10.611-01-202367629
8928Rainbow Trout8.010-25-202365109
9702Rainbow Trout7.710-23-202356181
5808Rainbow Trout810-18-202346479
2514Rainbow Trout8.410-18-202340671
9452Rainbow Trout7.710-16-202338157
1717Brown Trout10.710-11-20237097
5380Brown Trout10.710-10-20235380
2527Tiger Trout9.807-14-20237801
5274Tiger Trout9.506-29-20235274
3930Rainbow Trout8.606-14-202328705
7434Rainbow Trout8.506-13-202324775
4301Rainbow Trout1006-09-202317341
675Wiper1006-07-2023675
16000Channel Catfish406-07-202316000
6520Rainbow Trout9.205-24-20236520
6520Rainbow Trout9.205-24-202313040

Pertinent Information

At maximum capacity, the reservoir covers 2,830 acres, has a maximum depth of 70 feet, and an average depth of 40 feet. It has a coldwater, put-grow-take trout fishery and a self-sustaining warmwater fishery. Coldwater game species include rainbow, brown, bowcutt (rainbow x cutthroat hybrid), and tiger trout (brown x brook trout hybrid). Warmwater game species consists of smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, wipers (white bass x striper hybrid), and yellow perch. Harvest lengths of larger than 16 inches usually occur for rainbow trout and 19 inches for bowcutt trout. Wipers generally range from 14 to 25 inches, channel catfish from 14 to 28 inches, and black bass from 8 to 17 inches. Lures are best for trout from May through June and mid-September through October, and nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, corn, and Power Bait during December through February while ice fishing. Fly-fishing is popular in early spring and late fall. Shore and still fishing from a boat are successful; however, trolling is more productive in summer. Spring and early summer are best for bass using crankbaits and rubber worms, and for catfish using stink baits and liver. Use small jigs and worms for yellow perch. Wild Horse State Recreation Area has day use, camping, and a boat ramp and BLM has a day use and campground area near the north end of the reservoir. Wild Horse Resort has a motel, RV hookup, restaurant, bar, and a convenience store. Duck Valley Indian Reservation provides campsites and a boat launch.