Location
and Overview Cave
Lake is located within Cave Lake State Park, approximately 15 miles
southeast of Ely, NV. To get there from Ely, take U.S. 93/6/50 south
about 7 miles to SR486 (also known as Success Summit Road) and follow
it east to the lake (check out the map).
Cave Lake covers 32 surface acres, and sits at an elevation of 7300
feet. Since it is within a state park, fees are charged for day use
and camping. Click
here for the current fee schedule for this and other Nevada state
parks.
Fishin'
Cave Lake
Cave Lake is home
to both German brown trout (which were introduced to the area years
ago and now occur naturally) and to hatchery rainbows, which are stocked
regularly by the Nevada Department of Wildlife. A number of different
fishing techniques have proven to be productive. Power Bait, salmon
eggs, and worms are all popular baits, while fly-and-bubble combos
and spinners such as Mepps Aglias
and Panther Martins also do well.
Fly fishermen should consider using woolly buggers or nymphs on a
sinking line.
In
wintertime the lake ices over, and ice fishing is permitted. All the popular
baits above fished with a brightly colored jig tend to do well under the
ice.
Anglers
can also try their luck in Cave Creek and Steptoe Creek, which are
adjacent to the lake. For something different, try your hand at catching
crawdads, which are abundant in Cave Lake. Hunt for them at night
with a net and flashlight, and use bacon or hot dogs to attract them.
Boating
is permitted on Cave Lake, and a launch ramp is located at the north
end. Boats may not exceed 5 mph on the lake.
For
the current NDOW stocking schedule, click
here.
Weather
Due to its elevation, the weather at Cave Lake is highly seasonal.
Summertime
highs can be in the 80's or 90's, with lows dropping into the 30's or 40's at night. Late afternoon thunderstorms are common
in summer. In wintertime highs are typically in the 30's and 40's,
with nighttime lows dropping below zero. Snow is common from December
through April, and the lake ices over in winter.
Click
here to see current weather conditions and forecasts for the nearby
city of Ely, NV.
Lodging
and Camping
Two campgrounds are located close to Cave Lake, and are administered
by the NV Division of State Parks. Lakeview Campground is sited right
next to the lake near the boat launch facility, while Elk Flat Campground
is about a mile west of the lake off SR 486. Both campgrounds feature
flush toilets and showers, and fees are charged based on the current
Nevada state
park fee schedule. There is no on-site concession at either campground,
so make sure you pick up all the food and supplies you'll need in
Ely.
A
number of other campgrounds
and RV parks are located in and around the town of Ely, for those
who don't need to stay right next to the lake. The closest hotel
accomodations are also in Ely.
Cave
Lake also features two picnic areas located along the lakeshore, with
tables, grills, restrooms, and running water. Additionally, a group
picnic area may be reserved by contacting the park office at (775)
728-4460.
Licensing
and Regulations
Fishing is permitted year-round, all hours of the day and night. Anglers
must have a current Nevada fishing license with a trout stamp to fish
in Cave Lake or either of the nearby streams. There is a 5-fish limit,
with no minimum length. Only one pole may be used, unless you purchase
a second pole stamp. The
complete, current Nevada fishing regulations are available on the
NV Department of Wildlife's
website.
Cave
Lake State Park is a fee area, including for day use. For current
fee information, click
here.
For
more information on Cave Lake State Park, including general regulations
and campground information, check out the NV
Division of State Parks site or call (775) 728-4460.
