Groundhog Reservoir in Elko County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Elko County, Nevada, is where Groundhog Reservoir sits. The setting is rolling hill. Surface area runs to about 16 acres — small enough to read in one session. The nearest place of any size is Elko, 81 miles away. The big place round here is Boise, 117 miles distant. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules. The shoreline gives more room than the map suggests.

• Where to Fish on Groundhog Reservoir

  No chart reached our records; the first cast is your sounding. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. County-wide records name brook trout, rainbow trout, tahoe sucker and great basin cutthroat trout. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. At Groundhog Reservoir light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 68°F, the coldest about 27°F. Ice comes and goes from one year to the next. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Time your trip to Groundhog Reservoir by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Brady Reservoir sits 2.1 miles off and takes the overflow. Nothing here settles the position at Groundhog Reservoir for certain.