Go Angling at These 6 Fishing Spots Near Reno

Looking for a great spot to go fishing near Reno, Nevada? Whether you’re hoping to find just an idyllic place to go angling or a location where you can also partake in other outdoor fun like kayaking or hiking, Reno’s got you covered. Read on to learn more about our six favorite fishing spots near Reno.

Sparks Marina

A mere five-minute drive from Reno sits the beautiful Sparks Marina. Located at 300 Howard Drive, Sparks Marina offers visitors a respite from busy City Life with its rambling walking path, flourishing greenery, and sandy beaches surrounding a 77-acre lake.

Head over to the designated fishing pier for some great angling opportunities. The Sparks Marina allows visitors to fish one hour before sunrise until two hours after the sun goes down. Make sure that you have an up-to-date fishing license before visiting. If you want to keep your fish, the marina asks that you bring your fish home to clean them. If you prefer to catch and release your fish, use only one barbless hook with either lures or artificial flies. Guests may catch no more than three game fish and no more than two black basses.

Mayberry Park

Take a drive west over to 101 Woodland Avenue, where you’ll find Mayberry Park waiting for you. At this river park, you can cruise along the paved bike path, take a hike through the forestation, go river tubing, or enjoy a picnic with a view.

Mayberry Park is one of several locations near Reno that provides fishing access to the Truckee River. All aspiring fishers at this river must possess a Nevada or California fishing license. While catch and release aren’t required, many anglers practice catch and release at the Truckee River to help preserve the diverse river life and habitat. You’ll find an array of wild trout at the Truckee River sure to delight even experienced anglers, ranging from large brown trout to fast-moving, rainbow-colored ones.

Pyramid Lake

With over 125,000 acres of water and a length of 27 miles across at its widest point, Pyramid Lake stands as one of the largest natural lakes in all of Nevada. You can find this lake some 40 miles northeast of Reno. Come to enjoy the glistening waters that change from silver to blue, the unique rock formations, and the desert flora. You can also visit the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Museum to learn more about the local indigenous people.

When it comes to fishing, Pyramid Lake offers some unique catches that you might struggle to find elsewhere. This lake’s the only place in the world where you can discover Cui-ui fish, a type of large sucker fish. You might also find a rare Lahontan Cutthroat Trout or Tui chub fish. Although you don’t need a state fishing license here, you will need a Boating or Tribal Fishing permit. Pyramid Lake doesn’t allow bait and only permits barbless hooks. Rangers must verify the size of your fish before you can take it home to filet.

Crystal Peak Park

In the city of Verdi, just ten miles outside Reno, lies Crystal Peak Park. Crystal Peak Park is another destination to consider if you want to experience the fishing or natural beauty of the Truckee River. Thanks to the paved roads and parking lots, it’s easy to access the river at numerous points within this park. While you’re here, you can take a walk through the interpretive loop to uncover unique facts about the area’s history, picnic at one of the tables, or relax underneath a shady tree.

Visitors can fish at either the Verdi Ponds or along the Truckee River. Both locations require a Nevada fishing license. The general statewide and western regional fishing regulations apply to Crystal Peak Park, so you can keep the fish you catch so long as you refrain from using live bait and limit yourself to keeping three game fish. To access the Verdi Ponds, take one of the side trails of the Crystal Peak Nature Trail. If you want to visit the Truckee River, look for the fisherman’s access trail right by the picnic area.

Virginia Lake Park

Do you prefer to stay closer to home? Then visit the gorgeous Virginia Lake Park located at 1980 Lakeside Drive, right in Reno. Virginia Lake isn’t a natural body of water. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) made this lake in the late 1930s. Today, visitors can enjoy not only the splendor of the 25-acre lake, but also a playground, para-course fitness areas, an off-leash dog park, and a picnicking area with barbecue grills.

If you want to go angling at Virginia Lake Park, head over to the designated fishing pier, where you can find diverse species like rainbow trout, largemouth bass, common carp, channel catfish, and brown trout. Fishers can come here year-round during public park hours, as long as they possess a valid Nevada fishing license. You can either catch and release or keep your fish, but you may only keep up to three game fish.

Davis Creek Regional Park

If you venture 20 miles south of Reno, you’ll find the Davis Creek Regional Park in Washoe Valley. Here, you can take in the natural beauty of both Washoe Lake and Slide Mountain, part of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Visitors may enjoy the campground with hot showers, a trailhead for horseback riding, interpretive programs, hiking trails, and an outdoor amphitheater.

You can find the fishing pond at Davis Creek Regional Park by the scenic picnic area. Many rainbow trout dwell in this pond, and you can catch and keep up to three game fish. Although the shallow pond is natural, it has been expanded over the years to support the natural habitat better. The Davis Creek Regional Park falls under both statewide and western regional fishing regulations, so visitors need a fishing license before going. You can access this pond all season during the park’s normal operating hours.

That concludes the list of our favorite spots to go angling in and around Reno. Did we forget to include one of your go-to destinations for fishing in the area? Let us know by commenting on this blog post or filling out our contact form. We always appreciate the chance to learn more about undiscovered fishing destinations in or near our neighborhood.

Photo Credits: Image by Jed Owen is licensed with Unsplash License