March 4, 2025

Dive into fun with this watery trio.

A couple is silhouetted on the shoreline of a calm Wild Horse Reservoir. Mountains surround and there are stars in the sky, including the Milky Way. Photo ©Jackie Gorton
Wild Horse State Recreation Area ©Jackie Gorton

Northern Nevada is known for quite a few things: buckaroos, gold mining, and Basque culture, to name a few. However, this part of the Silver State is also home to some of the state’s wettest mountains. Fortunately, their winter runoff gets captured into massive reservoirs—many of which are now well-managed state recreation areas (SRAs). If your travels take you along Interstate 80, keep these excellent options in mind for your fishing, boating, and camping adventures.

Yellow wildflowers at Wild Horse State Recreation Area. Trees and mountains in the distance. Photo ©Nevada State Parks
Wild Horse State Recreation Area ©Nevada State Parks

Wild Horse 

Needing a high-elevation escape into some gorgeous Nevada countryside? This SRA—located an hour north of Elko—offers year-round boating, camping, and angling. Best of all, the surrounding area includes some of the state’s wildest (and most diverse) terrain, which is easily accessible via countless OHV trailheads. 

Two adults and a child - holding a fishing pole - smile for the camera, while holding a large fish. They sit/kneel in the snow, and there are desert willows behind them. Photo ©Nevada Department of Wildlife
©Nevada Department of Wildlife

This area is ripe with elk, pronghorn, mule deer, and lots of waterfowl and upland game birds. But the 2,830-acre Wild Horse Reservoir is best known as a prime fishing spot—particularly ice fishing. Though the ice varies from year to year, it is generally safe to fish from December through March. The annual Wild Horse Ice Fishing Derby is held every February, weather and ice conditions permitting. 

Rye Patch Reservoir, with a lot of green scrub along the shoreline, mountains in the distance, and puffy white clouds in a blue sky.
Rye Patch State Recreation Area
Welcome to Rye Patch State Recreation Area sign. Reads 'open year round, Cowboy Country.' The sign is set in stone, and there is a reservoir, road, desert scrub, and mountains behind. Photo ©Nevada State Parks
©Nevada State Parks

Rye Patch

Located along the Humboldt River between Lovelock and Winnemucca, Rye Patch SRA is a veritable oasis playground. This 11,000-acre reservoir sees visitors swimming, boating, hiking, and camping amid stunning desert vistas. And whatever their hobby, visitors will find light crowds and excellent facilities.

In addition to its three day-use group areas, this spot hosts 50 campsites that include access to flush toilets and hot showers. Notably, the well-maintained amenities include a bit of history: many trails, gazebos, and barbecue pits were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. 

People fishing along the shore of Rye Patch Reservoir. There is a UTV parked nearby, and one person holds a child, while pointing into the water.
.

Spring and early summer are typically the best times to fish along all 72 miles of Rye Patch Reservoir shoreline for crappie, wipers, white and black bass, and walleye, and fall is prime season for catfish. 

A jet ski rides across South Fork Reservoir. There are mountains in the distance, desert scrub along the shore, and puffy white clouds in a blue sky. Photo ©Nevada State Parks
South Fork State Recreation Area ©Nevada State Parks

South Fork

South Fork Reservoir shoreline with jet-skis, campers, kayaks, and lots of other recreational tools. There is tall green grass along the shore and mountains in the distance, with puffy white clouds in the sky.
.

Located at the base of the snow-capped Ruby Mountains—about 18 miles south of Elko—this expansive SRA boasts acres of rolling hills flush with sagebrush and meadows. The scenic reservoir attracts anglers year-round to catch its trophy-sized trout—along with catfish and bass. Wildlife loves the region too: Everything from mule deer, badgers, beavers, and waterfowl call the valley home. South Fork offers 25 campsites with tables, grills, and access to flush restrooms with showers.

  • Previous Article
  • Table of Contents
  • Next Article