Ruby Lake is a natural, spring fed, high elevation marsh, located entirely in the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). The refuge is divided into the North Dike units and the South Lake.
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- Region
- Eastern
- County
- Elko
- Type of water
- Lake or Reservoir
Fishing Report
Trout fishing has been fair to good following spring stockings. Trout in the 15″ t0 20″ range are being caught in the collection ditch. Fly anglers are reporting success with dark-colored streamer patterns, as well as your favorite nymph pattern (pheasant tail, gold-ribbed hares ear, etc.). Fish are hitting dry flies with the warmer weather. Small, flashy spinners like Panther Martins are the go-to for spin anglers. Fishing for bass has been good all summer with some anglers reporting 8-12 smalls per keeper, with the average keeper measuring 11-12 inches (minimum size to keep black bass is 10 inches).
Beginning August 1, both motorless watercraft and boats propelled with motors 10 hp or less are permitted in the South Marsh. Water levels are in good shape for launching at the main boat ramp, but weeds at Narciss boat ramp could hamper motor use.
Special Regulations: Artificial lures only in the collection ditch. Minimum size for black bass is 10 inches.
Ruby Lake NWR Angler Guide Information
08-15-2025Stocking Updates
| Stocked | Species | Inches | Date Stocked | Year to Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 774 | Rainbow Trout | 9.0 | 10-14-2024 | 2623 |
| 403 | Rainbow Trout | 10.3 | 04-12-2024 | 1849 |
| 1446 | Rainbow Trout | 10.1 | 04-09-2024 | 1446 |
| 1069 | Rainbow Trout | 8.1 | 10-13-2023 | 13370 |
| 707 | Rainbow Trout | 8.1 | 10-12-2023 | 12301 |
| 7170 | Rainbow Trout | 8.1 | 10-04-2023 | 11594 |
| 1404 | Rainbow Trout | 9.3 | 05-02-2023 | 4424 |
| 1538 | Tiger Trout | 8.9 | 05-02-2023 | 1538 |
| 3020 | Rainbow Trout | 9.4 | 04-21-2023 | 3020 |
Pertinent Information
Ruby Lake lies at an elevation of 6,000 feet in a closed basin and the refuge contains over 9,000 acres of lakes, ponds, and waterways intermixed with islands and bulrush stands to the south and manmade dike units to the north. Depths vary from several inches to 12 feet deep and game fish are comprised of largemouth bass, rainbow trout, tiger trout, brown trout, and brook trout. The average size for largemouth bass is around 11 inches and trout typically surpassed 15 inches. The normal bass fishing lures include crankbaits, topwater, rubber worms, and spinner baits as well as bass flies. Most forms of bait such as salmon eggs, nightcrawlers, and Power Bait work for trout as well as small spinners, spoons, and flies. Spring through early summer or fall is the best time to fish for trout, while bass fishing is usually good in spring through fall. A Forest Service campground is situated adjacent to Ruby Lake and there are several primitive camping sites scattered in the foothills along the west side. There are two boat ramps for South Lake, the Main Boat Landing and Narciss Boat landing.