Morris Reservoir in Nevada County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Morris Reservoir stands in Nevada County, California. Oak and grass runs right down to the water. On water this small, stealth matters more than range. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Nevada County. Nevada City at 8.6 miles is the nearest place to stop. Roseville sits 43 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. This one sits near enough to a boundary to be worth checking.

• Where to Fish on Morris Reservoir

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Nevada County records list brook trout, rainbow trout, tahoe sucker, brown trout and bluegill among the fish reported. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. At Morris Reservoir the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 43°F in December to roughly 73°F in July. The awkward stretch is midsummer, not midwinter. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to be out. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. Time your trip to Morris Reservoir by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Failing this one, try Pine Grove Reservoir, 2.7 miles away. Treat Morris Reservoir as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.