Fly Fishing in the Pine Forest Range 

Knott Creek Reservoir

Knott Creek Reservoir is a spectacular high desert lake set in the Pine Forest Range where the sagebrush covered foothills give way to the granite rock formations, aspen groves and pines of the rugged mountain terrain.

The 216 acre reservoir offers hatchery rainbow, bowcutt, brown and tiger trout planted by the Nevada Department of Wildlife. These hatchery trout, when stocked, average from 8 to 12 inches in length. Fortunately, fish grow fast as there's plenty of food in the lake. Most anglers report catching fish in the 16 to 20 inch range and occasionally larger fish. The lake reportedly holds fish as large as 30 inches.

The Knott Creek fishery (reservoir as well as the inlet and outlet streams) is now open year round. Only artificial lures with single barbless hooks may be used. Only one trout may be taken. Only watercraft without gas motors are allowed.

The reservoir is best fished in the spring or fall. During summer months, the weeds take over. Algae blooms become a real possibility in August or earlier in low water years with hot weather. The fishing can really pick up after an early fall cold front or two pass through. The lake is often crowded in late spring but can be deserted in the fall.

The reservoir can be fished from shore and afloat.

Dry fly fishing along the shallows of the north and south shores can be quite good in the early and late hours of the day, both from shore or afloat. In the midday sun, the fish will move into deeper water. Many anglers will chase after them in single-person watercraft. By midday the lake will typically have a flotilla of float tubes, pontoon boats, kayaks and paddleboards on it. If you prefer to fish from shore, head over to the west shore. It provides easy access to deep, open water for bobber or streamer fishing.

Each trout species in this fishery has distinct habits. Tiger trout readily attack medium to large flies whether presented on the surface, suspended, or stripped subsurface. Rainbows generally hold in deeper water and are typically targeted with medium sized streamers and stillwater nymph patterns. Bowcutts tend to remain deep during midday, but early and late in the day they cruise the shallows, feeding primarily on tiny emerging insects, especially midges.

For fly fishing, a 5 weight rod is ideal for this water. Bringing two rods, one rigged with a floating line and one with an intermediate sinking line, can be helpful. If you only have one rod and reel, it will work just fine. If a fish proves too large for the rod, point the rod directly at the fish and allow the tippet to break rather than risking damage to the rod. 3X leaders and tippet are generally recommended at this fishery.

Hatch Chart

Onion Valley Reservoir

Onion Valley Reservoir is a put and take fishery located in the Alder Creek drainage. It is regularly stocked with rainbow trout and occasionally bowcutts and tiger trout, with catches generally ranging from 9 to 16 inches in length.

Like Knott Creek Reservoir, it is best fished in the spring and fall, as weeds can take over during the summer months. When full, the reservoir covers 101 acres with a maximum depth of 24 feet. As the fishery fishes similarly to Knott Creek Reservoir, the same general tackle and approach apply. Using at least 4X tippet is recommended. Anglers fishing from a float tube may try trolling a bugger with a trailing Sheep Creek Special or suspending a midge under a bobber.

The fishery is open year round under general Western Region regulations.

Blue Lakes

Blue Lakes is a set of three lakes located above Onion Valley Reservoir at 8,300 feet.

In low water conditions, the smaller lakes may split into small ponds. The largest lake offers the best fishing. When full, it covers 24 acres with a maximum depth of 44 feet and generally provides good fly fishing from shore or afloat.

Callibaetis and midge patterns are reliable throughout the season. For dry flies, CDC Callibaetis in sizes 12 to 20 and Adams in sizes 14 to 20 are effective. Ant patterns can also produce well. Subsurface, pheasant tails and zebra midges are dependable choices. Fish are often willing to take flies 2 to 4 feet below the surface. Trout will also chase small buggers and leech patterns. A floating line is typically sufficient, though anglers trolling from a tube may prefer an intermediate line or sinking leader.

The lakes are periodically stocked by helicopter with rainbow trout, bowcutts, and tiger trout. Brook trout present in the lakes are self sustaining. These lakes are subject to winter kill during especially harsh winters, which can significantly impact stocked species, particularly in the smaller lakes. In some years, ice may persist into June, with snow patches remaining into July.

The fishery is open year round under general Western Region regulations.

Blue Lakes are typically accessed from the Blue Lakes trailhead. It is approximately a 1/2 mile hike to the largest lake. The lakes are located within a wilderness study area where motor vehicles and motorized boats are prohibited.

Area Streams

There are several fishable streams in the Pine Forest Range. These creeks are generally small, so a light rod, floating line, and 5X leader and tippet are recommended. Small, high floating dry flies such as a size 18 elk hair caddis will usually fool resident trout. If fish are unusually selective, try a size 18 or 20 Adams or Griffith’s gnat.

Alder Creek

Alder Creek runs north from its headwaters near Duffer Peak. Both Onion Valley Reservoir and Blue Lakes lie on branches of Alder Creek. The creek holds brook and rainbow trout. Access is via 4x4 roads from Alder Creek Road, which connects to Sand Pass Road or Alta Creek Road.

Big Creek

Big Creek runs east from its headwater tributaries north of Mount Baldy. The creek holds brown and rainbow trout. It is accessed by 4x4 roads from Big Creek Road.

Knott Creek

Knott Creek holds brook and rainbow trout. It can be fished both above and below the reservoir.

Leonard Creek

Leonard Creek runs south from its headwater tributaries between New York, Duffer and Bishop peaks. Brook trout are found in the upper reaches, with rainbow trout in the lower sections. Access is via various 4x4 routes from Leonard Creek Road.

Camping in the Wilderness

Primitive camping is allowed throughout much of the Pine Forest Range, including at Onion Valley Campground and the Blue Lakes trailhead. Dispersed primitive camping is also allowed at Knott Creek Reservoir and elsewhere in the area. As the word primitive implies, camps must be completely self sufficient.

Vault toilets are available at Onion Valley Reservoir, the Blue Lakes trailhead, and on the west end of Sand Pass Road near Warm Springs. If camping at Knott Creek Reservoir or other dispersed locations, toilets are not available. Bring and use a portable composting toilet.

Pack out all trash. Dumpsters are available at the Leonard Creek Rest Area on NV 140 for disposal of travelers’ trash.

Northern Access

The northern access via Sand Pass is recommended for accessing Onion Valley Reservoir and the Blue Lakes trailhead. To access Knott Creek Reservoir, the southern access via Leonard Creek Road is recommended.

From NV 140, the Knott Creek Road turnoff is approximately 10 miles west of Denio Junction and less than a mile west of the Alder Creek Ranch Road turnoff, which is private and closed to through traffic.

Proceed south on Knott Creek Road for 10 miles to Warm Springs. Turn left onto Sand Pass Road and continue southeasterly for 7 miles to the junction with the 4x4 trail to Knott Creek Reservoir. Turn left. After 3/4 mile, cross Alder Creek and turn right onto Alta Creek Road. Onion Valley Reservoir is 3 miles ahead. At the reservoir, turn right for the campground or left to follow the west shore toward the Blue Lakes access road. It is 1.5 miles to the Blue Lakes access road and another half mile south to the trailhead.

Southern Access

The southern access via Leonard Creek Road is recommended for accessing Knott Creek Reservoir. To access Onion Valley Reservoir and the Blue Lakes trailhead, use the northern access via Sand Pass.

From NV 140, the Leonard Creek Road turnoff is located southeast of Denio Junction at the Leonard Creek Rest Area. This is approximately 30 miles west of US 95 and 30 miles south of Denio Junction.

Proceed west on Leonard Creek Road for 25 miles, then turn right north onto Pearl Creek Road. After approximately 9 miles, continue straight onto Creek Road. Follow Creek Road for another 5 miles to reach Knott Creek Reservoir.

When dry, this route provides the fastest access to Knott Creek for those traveling from Winnemucca. When wet, it can be unsafe due to steep clay sections becoming extremely slippery. If equipped with an appropriate high clearance 4x4, the 4x4 access route from Sand Pass Road may be used instead.

The east shore road connects to the northern access route except when the reservoir is full. When full, portions of the road are submerged and impassable, requiring departure via the same route used for entry.

Interconnections and Alternatives

The northern and southern access roads are interconnected.

When using the northern access, if you miss the Sand Pass Road turnoff and continue south on Knott Creek Road, it eventually becomes Pearl Camp Road near the Cove Creek crossing. Likewise, if using the southern access and you pass the Creek Road turnoff, Pearl Camp Road becomes Knott Creek Road and eventually leads to Warm Springs.

Knott Creek Reservoir can also be reached from the north using the 4x4 trail that connects to Sand Pass Road. From that junction, turn right to continue to Onion Valley Reservoir. This trail can be used in either direction. A high clearance 4x4 equipped with lockers is recommended.

Eastern 4x4 Access

The eastern access provides 4x4 access to the Blue Lakes trailhead via Alta Creek Road. As this road is best suited for well built high clearance 4x4 vehicles equipped with lockers or side by sides, it is not generally recommended. Use the northern access instead.

The Blue Lakes trailhead can be accessed from the east using Alta Creek Road from NV 140 just south of the Nevada DOT station, approximately 14 miles south of Denio Junction. It is about 17 miles to the Blue Lakes turnoff and slightly farther to Onion Valley Reservoir.

Additional reading

The Dirt: Pine Forest Range by Off Road Nevada

Pine Forest Range Wilderness by Friends of Nevada Wilderness

Pine Forest Recreation Area by Travel Nevada

Knott Creek Reservoir Angler and Fish Survey Information by Brad Bauman, Fisheries Biologist, Nevada Department of Wildlife.