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 sage brush covered foothills give way to the granite rock formations, aspen groves and pines of the rugged mountain terrain.

The reservoir offers rainbow, bowcutt, brown and tiger trout. These can grow to be over 20 inches in length. Due to recent algae bloom events however it is more common to catch recently stocked by Nevada Department of Wildlife (stocked fish typically average around ten inches in length).  Fortunately, fish grow fast as there's plenty of food in the lake for the fish to eat.

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 on the reservoir and the inlet and outlet streams. Only one trout may be taken.

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 can be crowded in late spring but is often deserted in the fall.

The reservoir can be fished from shore or 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.  In the midday, the west shore provides easy access to deep, open water for bobber or streamer fishing.  For those who prefer to fish afloat, fish those same shallows in the early and late hours. In the midday sun, you'll find fish in deeper, open water around the lake. While I probably spend most of my time fishing from shore, I do bring a a float tube for fishing wet flies along the edges of weed beds.  Typically the lake has a collection of float tubes, pontoon boats, kayaks, and paddleboards on it midday. The 216 acre lake has a maximum depth of 24 feet.

As tiger trout will aggressive hit larger flies and the bowcutts are typically more picky, I like to use a caddisfly adult / midge emerger dry-dry rig, casting to cruising or rising fish from shore. Midday I like fishing soft hackles and leech patterns with an intermediate line from a float tube or fishing the west shore just south of the dam. I fish damselfly and dragonfly nymphs when I see their adults. Later in the season, fishing darker buggers midday can be quite productive. Fishing attractor nymphs and midges under a bobber is almost always productive.

For fly fishing kit, 5wt rods are perfect for this water. I recommend bringing two and setting one up with a floating line and one with an intermediate sinking line. 3X leaders/tippet are generally appropriately.

Hatch Chart

Onion Valley Reservoir

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

Like Knott Creek Reservoir, it is best fished in the spring or in the fall as weeds take over during the summer months. When full, the reservoir covers 101 acre with a maximum depth of 24 feet. As the fishery fishes similarly to Knott Creek Reservoir and you can use the same kit. I suggest using 4X leader and tippet. If you have a float tube, try trolling a bugger with a trailing sheep creek special or midging under a bobber.

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

Blue Lakes

Blue Lakes is a set of three lakes located above Onion Valley Reservoir at 8300'.

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 and has a maximum depth of 44 feet and generally offers good fly fishing from shore or afloat.

Callibaetis and midge patterns are good choice as they can be found hatching here all season long.  For dries, I recommend CDC callibaetis (12-20) and adams (14-20).  Ant patterns can be quite effective. For nymphs, pheasant tails and zebra midges.  You'll typically find fish willing to take subsurface flies 2-4 feet down. The trout are willing to chase streamers, such as small buggers and leech patterns. Typically a floating line is all you need at Blue Lakes. If trolling from a tube, an intermediate line or sinking leader can be a good choice.

The lakes are stocked by helicopter from time to time with rainbows, bowcuts and/or tiger trout. Brook trout present in the lakes are self-sustaining. These lakes are subject to winter kills if the winter is especially harse.  This impacts stocked species, especially in those in the smaller lakes. In some years, the lakes may still be iced covered in June, with snow patches sometimes remaining through July.

The fishery is now open year round under general western region regulations.

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

Area Streams

There are a few fishable streams in the Pine Forest Range. These creeks are all quite small so fish with the lightest rod you own, floating line, and 5X leader/tippet. I recommend throwing small high floating dries, such as an #18 elk hair caddis.  If the fish are picky, try a #18 or #20 adams or griffen's gnat.

Alder Creek

Alder Creek runs to the north from its headwaters near Duffer Peak. Both Onion Valley Reservoir and Blue Lakes are  on branches of Alder Creek. The creek holds rook and rainbow trout.  Accessed using 4x4 roads off Alder Creek Road off of Sand Pass Road or off of Alta Creek Road.

Big Creek

Big Creek runs to the east from its headwater tributaries north of Mt Baldy.  The creek offers brown and rainbow trout. It is accessed 4x4 roads off of Big Creek Road.

Knott Creek

Knott creek offers brook and rainbow trout.  It can be fished above and below the reservoir.

Leonard Creek

Leonard Creek runs to the south from its headwater tributaries between New York, Duffer, and Bishop peaks. Brook trout can be found up high, with lower streches holding rainbow trout. Accessed using various 4x4 trails off of Leonard Creek Road.

Camping in the Wilderness

Primitive camping is allowed in the Pine Forest Range, such as Onion Valley Campground and at the Blue Lakes trailhead.  Dispersed primitive camping is allowed at Knott Creek Reservoir and elsewhere in the area. As the word primitive implies, your camp must be completely self-sufficient.

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

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

Onion Valley Reservoir / Blue Lakes－ Northern Access via Sand Pass

Provides reliable access to Onion Valley Reservoir and Blue Lakes trailhead. 

Off of NV 140, the Knott Creek Road turn-off is approximate 10 miles west of Denio Junction and less than mile west of the Alder Creek Ranch Road (private, closed to through traffic) turn-off.

Proceed south on Knott Creek Road for 10 miles to Warm Springs.  Turn left on Sand Pass Road.  Proceed southeasterly on Sand Pass Road for another 7 miles to the junction with the 4x4 trial to Knott Creek Reservoir.  Turn left and 3/4 miles later, after crossing Alder Creek, turn right on Alta Creek Road.   Onion Valley Reservoir is 3 miles ahead.   Upon reaching the reservoir, turn right for the campground or left to go around the west shore the Blue Lakes access road.  It's 1.5 miles to the Blue Lake access road and another 0.5 miles (south) to the trailhead.

One can also be used to access Knott Creek Reservoir by continuing south on Knott Creek Road.  Knott Creek Road becomes Pearl Camp Road near Cove Creek crossing.  Immediately after this crossing, turn left onto Creek Road.  Follow that for 5 miles to the south shore of the reservoir.  Note that Creek Road is unsafe when wet due to steep clay sections that are extremely slippery when wet.

Another option for the not-faint-of-heart is to access Knott Creek Reservoir is to use the 4x4 trail mentioned above.  Last time I used this trail I had to engage my lockers to traverse the worst of it. Requires high-clearance 4x4, lockers recommended.

Knott Creek Reservoir － Southern Access via Leonard Creek Road

Access to Knott Creek Reservoir from the south is provided by Leonard Creek Road off of NV 140 southeast of Denio Junction.  The turn-off is located at the Leonard Creek Rest Area on NV 140, approximately 30 miles west of US 95 and 30 miles south of Denio Junction, near the Quinn River Crossing. Proceed west on Leonard Creek Road for 25 miles, then turn right (north) onto Pearl Creek Road.  After approximately 9 miles, veer straight onto Creek Road to access Knott Creek Reservoir and in another 5 miles you'll reach the reservoir.

When dry, this road provides the fastest access to Knott Creek for those coming up from Winnemucca. When wet, it is not safe due to steep clay sections that are extremely slippery when wet.  If you have an appropriate high clearance 4x4, you can use the 4x4 access route instead from Sand Pass road (see Northern Access).

You can drive around the east shore of the reservoir to the northern access except when the reservoir is full.  Then the road is submerged and, hence, impassible. You'll have to go out the way you came in.

Onion Valley Reservoir / Blue Lakes Access － Eastern Access via Alta Creek Road

Onion Valley Reservoir and 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 south of Denio Junction. It's 17 miles to the Blues Lakes turn-off and a bit more to Onion Valley Reservoir.  This route is generally not recommended. Requires high-clearance 4x4, lockers recommended. Use the northern access route instead.

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