Fishing SOB Lake in Washoe County, Nevada

• Overview

  Set in Washoe County, Nevada, this is SOB Lake. It stands 6,398 feet above sea level. It runs to roughly 215 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. Bank access stretches around 2.2 miles in total. Johnstonville lies 48 miles from the water. Then Susanville, 49 miles, and Janesville, 51 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on SOB Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Washoe County records list tahoe sucker, great basin cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, brown bullhead and brown trout among the fish reported. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. SOB Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  August is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 65°F, while January sits near 28°F. A long season, with weather mattering more than the month. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. On SOB Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Records show it does not hold water year-round. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. The nearest alternative is Pilgrim Lake, 2.1 miles out. For SOB Lake in particular, ask before you travel.