Bull Run Reservoir in Elko County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Within Elko County, Nevada, you have Bull Run Reservoir. The bank is 5,915 feet above sea level. It runs to roughly 95 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. About 2.3 miles of bank, so nothing stays unexplored for long. Nearest place of any size is Elko, 59 miles away. Carlin lies 64 miles off, Spring Creek another 69 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Bull Run Reservoir

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Survey and observation records for Elko County include brook trout, rainbow trout, tahoe sucker and great basin cutthroat trout. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. On Bull Run Reservoir the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put August at about 64°F and January near 25°F. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around early April. On average, early April opens the water and early December closes it again. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. Expect Bull Run Reservoir to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Public data shows nothing built here, so treat the whole approach as informal. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. The nearest alternative is Wilson Reservoir, 9.9 miles out. Confirm access to Bull Run Reservoir locally before you travel.