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Nevada · Fishing
Denio sits at the edge of the Black Rock Desert in the remote northwest corner of Nevada, and the fishing around it reflects that isolation — you are not going to find crowds here.
8 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 8 spots
Denio sits at the edge of the Black Rock Desert in the remote northwest corner of Nevada, and the fishing around it reflects that isolation — you are not going to find crowds here. The eight stillwater spots accessible from town are all lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, which means your approach is consistent: still or slow-moving presentations, shore access or a float tube, and patience. Buck Lake, Mud Meadow, Gooch Lake, and Smith Lake are the smaller natural waters, while Knott Creek Reservoir, Onion Valley Reservoir, Jackson Reservoir, and Dufurrena Pond Number 22 round out the impoundments. Because none of these waters carry a gold-medal or wild-trout designation in the available data, expect put-and-take or put-and-grow fisheries rather than trophy wild fish — but that also means they are approachable for anglers of any skill level. The bigger draw here is the setting: high desert, minimal pressure, and the kind of quiet that is genuinely hard to find. If you are driving up from Winnemucca or across from Fields, Oregon, build in extra time — roads in this part of Humboldt County can be rough and distances are longer than they look on a map.
The available listing data does not specify species by water, and the fisheries here are not designated wild-trout or gold-medal waters, so stocked trout are the most likely target at the reservoirs and ponds. Check the Nevada Department of Wildlife stocking report before your trip, since stocking schedules vary by water and season and will tell you exactly which sites have been recently loaded.
Yes, a valid Nevada fishing license is required for anyone 12 and older. Some of these waters may fall within the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge boundary, which can carry additional rules around access and gear, so pull the current Nevada Wildlife regulations and check with the refuge directly before heading out.
Smith Lake
~21 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Knott Creek Reservoir
~24 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Buck Lake
~26 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Dufurrena Pond Number 22
~28 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Onion Valley Reservoir
~29 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Gooch Lake
~31 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Mud Meadow
~38 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Fatty Martin Lake
~40 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Oregon End Reservoir
~55 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
Captain Johnson Reservoir
~59 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Jackson Reservoir
~1h 4m drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Fortynine Lake
~1h 9m drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Since all eight spots are lakes, ponds, or reservoirs, a medium spinning rod with 6- to 8-pound monofilament covers most situations. Powerbait or worms under a bobber work well from shore for stocked trout, while a float tube with a sinking line opens up more water at the larger reservoirs like Knott Creek and Onion Valley. Bring a landing net and a cooler if you plan to keep fish.
Spring and early fall are generally the most productive windows for trout in high desert stillwaters — water temperatures are in a comfortable range and fish are actively feeding. Summer midday heat can push fish deep and slow surface activity, so early morning and evening sessions are worth prioritizing if you visit between June and August. Winter access to some of these sites may be limited by snow and road conditions.
Denio itself has very limited services — fuel up and stock supplies before you arrive, ideally in Winnemucca to the south or Burns, Oregon to the north. Cell service is unreliable throughout the area, so download offline maps and let someone know your plans. Bring more water than you think you need, sun protection, and a basic first-aid kit, since the nearest hospital is a significant drive away.
