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Nevada · Fishing
Fishing around Gerlach, Nevada is a different kind of experience than what most anglers are used to. This is high desert country, remote and dry, and the waters here reflect that — scattered reservoirs, playas, and small lakes spread across
11 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 11 spots
Fishing around Gerlach, Nevada is a different kind of experience than what most anglers are used to. This is high desert country, remote and dry, and the waters here reflect that — scattered reservoirs, playas, and small lakes spread across the Black Rock Desert region rather than the mountain streams or tailwaters people typically picture when they think Nevada fishing. The 11 fishable spots in and around Gerlach include lake fishing at places like Steer Lake, Coleman Reservoir, Captain Johnson Reservoir, Fatty Martin Lake, Boulder Lake, Fortynine Lake, and Alkali Lake, along with seasonal or playa-type waters like Hualapai Playa and Dry Lake. Access is often on dirt roads that require a high-clearance vehicle, and cell service is essentially nonexistent once you leave town. That said, if you're already making the drive out to the Black Rock for any reason, these waters offer a genuinely uncrowded alternative to the more trafficked fisheries elsewhere in Nevada. Come prepared with your own water, extra fuel, and realistic expectations — this is fishing in one of the most isolated corners of the American West, and that's exactly the appeal for the anglers who seek it out.
The activity listings here are all classified as lake fishing, but the specific species stocked or present in individual waters like Coleman Reservoir, Captain Johnson Reservoir, or Fatty Martin Lake can vary and change seasonally. Check with the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) before your trip for current stocking reports and species information for each water body — their online stocking schedule is updated regularly and is the most reliable source for this region.
Spring and fall are generally the most productive seasons for desert reservoir fishing in northern Nevada. Summer heat can push fish deep and slow surface activity significantly, while winter can make access roads impassable after rain or snow. The shoulder seasons — roughly April through early June and September through October — tend to offer the best combination of fish activity and road conditions.
Dodge Reservoir Campground
~1h 17m drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Captain Johnson Reservoir
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Fortynine Lake
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Alkali Lake
~19 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Boulder Lake
~21 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Dry Lake
~24 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Fatty Martin Lake
~26 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Mosquito Lake
~34 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Mosquito Lake
~35 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Smith Lake
~46 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Lower Alkali Lake
~49 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Coleman Reservoir
~50 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
High clearance is strongly recommended for most of these waters, and four-wheel drive is a smart precaution. Roads in the Black Rock Desert region can deteriorate quickly after rain, and some access routes to spots like Hualapai Playa or Dry Lake cross playa surfaces that become impassable when wet. Check road conditions with the BLM Winnemucca District office before heading out, especially in spring.
You'll need a valid Nevada fishing license, which you can purchase online through the NDOW website or at licensed vendors. Gerlach is a very small town with limited services, so don't count on buying a license locally — handle that before you leave home or before you leave a larger town like Reno, which is roughly 100 miles south.
A medium-action spinning or baitcasting setup covers most situations at desert reservoirs and small lakes. Beyond tackle, pack more water than you think you need, sun protection, and a paper map or downloaded offline GPS route since cell service around Gerlach is unreliable. A portable battery pack and a basic vehicle recovery kit are worth having given how far these spots are from any services.
