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Nevada · Fishing
Ely sits in White Pine County at roughly 6,400 feet, and the fishing around it is quiet, uncrowded, and almost entirely lake-based. The four listings in this area cover three distinct waters: Comins Lake, Dust Bowl Lake, and Newark Lake.
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Ely sits in White Pine County at roughly 6,400 feet, and the fishing around it is quiet, uncrowded, and almost entirely lake-based. The four listings in this area cover three distinct waters: Comins Lake, Dust Bowl Lake, and Newark Lake. Comins Lake is the most accessible of the group, sitting just east of town off Highway 50, and it gets stocked regularly by Nevada Department of Wildlife, making it a reasonable bet for anglers who want a shorter drive and a decent shot at trout. Newark Lake is a higher-elevation option that requires more effort to reach, sitting up in the Egan or Diamond ranges depending on which drainage you're looking at, and the listings reflect it twice, suggesting it's a notable destination worth the extra planning. Dust Bowl Lake rounds out the options as a smaller, less-trafficked water. None of these are designated gold medal or wild trout waters based on available data, so expectations should be set accordingly: this is solid high-desert lake fishing, not trophy hunting. What it offers instead is solitude, scenery, and the kind of unhurried pace that makes a long drive out of Las Vegas or Reno feel worth it.
All three lakes — Comins, Dust Bowl, and Newark — are listed as lake fishing destinations, and stocked rainbow trout are the primary target at waters like these in White Pine County. Nevada Department of Wildlife periodically stocks Comins Lake, which is the most reliably productive of the group. Check the NDOW stocking report before your trip since schedules shift by season and water conditions.
Late spring through early fall is the most practical window. Ice can linger at higher-elevation lakes like Newark well into May, and by late October nights drop hard enough to make camping uncomfortable without serious gear. Summer mornings before 9 a.m. and evenings after 5 p.m. are your best windows for active fish, especially at Comins Lake where midday sun can push trout deep.
Bird Creek Campground
~50 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Timber Creek Campground
~55 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Illipah Creek Reservoir
~33 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Duck Creek Reservoir
~46 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Duck Creek Dam
~46 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Newark Lake
~50 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Newark Lake
~57 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Comins Lake
~59 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Dust Bowl Lake
~1h 4m drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge - South Marsh
~1h 16m drive
Easy
Ruby Lake Unit Ten
~1h 22m drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Newark Lake sits at higher elevation and the access road is unpaved and can be rough, particularly after spring runoff or afternoon thunderstorms. A high-clearance vehicle is strongly recommended, and a 4WD truck or SUV gives you the most flexibility. Check road conditions with the Ely BLM field office before heading out, especially early or late in the season.
Yes, a valid Nevada fishing license is required for anyone 12 and older. Bag and size limits at these lakes follow standard NDOW statewide regulations unless posted otherwise at the water. It's worth pulling the current White Pine County regulation summary from the NDOW website before your trip, since slot limits or bait restrictions can apply at stocked lakes.
Comins Lake is the most beginner-friendly option since it's close to town, has relatively easy bank access, and gets stocked trout that aren't particularly line-shy. Dust Bowl Lake and Newark Lake involve more driving and less infrastructure, so they're better suited to anglers comfortable with self-sufficient, remote-style outings. A basic spinning setup with PowerBait or small spinners is all you need to get started at Comins.
