Location
and Overview Northeastern
Nevada has more than its fair share of good fishin' spots, and Illipah
Reservoir is just one more example of this glorious inequity. Located
40 miles from Ely, NV via U.S. Highway 50, Illipah Reservoir consists
of roughly 70 surface acres (at capacity) sitting at an elevation
of 6800 feet. To get there take U.S. 50 west until you reach a dirt
road (National Forest Road 400) with a sign for the reservoir, and
follow the dirt road south for another two miles.
Fishin'
Illipah Reservoir
Trout are the order
of the day at Illipah, which is home to both rainbows and browns.
The rainbows are stocked twice a year, usually in the spring and fall,
by the Nevada Department of Wildlife. The browns are holdovers that
occur naturally in the reservoir. Depths
in the lake reach 50 feet near the dam, which means these fish can
grow pretty big. Fish in the 10 to 15 inch range are common, with
18 to 20 inchers showing up pretty regularly.
Anglers
have reported good results at Illipah with Power Bait, salmon eggs,
worms, spinners, and spoons, with shore fishermen doing about as well
as boaters for the most part. Fly fishermen should try Woolly Buggers,
Prince Nymphs, and Sheep Creek Specials.
There
is an unimproved boat ramp near the north end of the lake. Boaters
are restricted to wakeless speed while on the reservoir.
To
see the current NDOW stocking schedule, click
here.
Weather
At an elevation of about 6800 feet, Illipah doesn't experience the
extremes of temperature associated with either the high mountains
or
the low desert. It can still get up into the 90's here in the summer
months, though, and there is little shade around much of the lake
shore. Take this into account when planning trips here, since there
is no water available at the campground. Snow is common in the wintertime.
The reservoir is not large enough for wind to be a major factor for
boaters, but you should still always check local conditions before
going out.
Click
here to see current weather conditions and forecasts for the town
of Ely, NV.
Lodging
and Camping
The only campground close to Illipah is the BLM's Illipah Reservoir
Campground, located on the west side of the reservoir. It features
14 sites with fire pits, picnic tables, windbreaks, and pit toilets.
There is no fee to camp here. There is no water at the campground
and no place to purchase supplies, so make sure you pick up everything
you'll need in Ely. For more information on the Illipah Reservoir
Campground, contact the Bureau of Land Management at (775) 289-1800.
For
those who aren't concerned about staying close to the reservoir, a
number of other campgrounds
and RV parks are located in and around the town of Ely, which
is 37 miles away. The closest hotel
accomodations are also in Ely. Limited lodging is available in
Eureka,
NV, located about 40 miles west of the reservoir on U.S. 50.
Licensing
and Regulations
Fishing is permitted in Illipah Reservoir year-round, all hours of
the day and night. Anglers must have a current Nevada fishing license
with a trout stamp. There is a 5-fish limit, with no minimum length.
Only one pole may be used unless you purchase a second pole stamp.
