Boulder Reservoir - Gerlach, NV

Boulder Reservoir, situated in the remote Black Rock Desert near Gerlach, Nevada, constitutes a unique, isolated coolwater fishery. This impoundment primarily sustains stocked Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), periodically augmented by the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). The extreme aridity and significant hydrological fluctuations define the fishery, positioning it as a destination where the wilderness experience often supersedes high catch rates.

Angling methodologies are straightforward, adapted to a remote, windswept lacustrine environment. Conventional bait presentations utilizing PowerBait, worms, or salmon eggs are efficacious from shoreline or small craft. Spin casting with diminutive to medium-sized artificial lures (spinners, spoons) yields consistent results, particularly when casting long distances into deeper water or through wind-driven chop. Fly fishing, predominantly from float tubes or kayaks, involves nymphing with midge or small mayfly imitative patterns, or slow retrieval of streamer patterns. Optimal fishing periods span during cooler months—spring and autumn—when water temperatures are conducive to salmonid activity; summer temperatures are typically prohibitive. Access is inherently challenging, necessitating high-clearance or 4x4 vehicles on primitive unpaved roads, and requiring comprehensive self-sufficiency. Anglers are unequivocally mandated to consult current NDOW regulations concerning specific bag limits and any area-specific provisions, crucial for the sustained management of this distinct high-desert resource.