Nevada Fishing Regulations
Not legal advice. Compiled from official government summaries. Regulations change each year — always check the official source before relying.
General Rules (barbless hooks are the #1 cause of fines)
- ⚠ Daily limit applies across all water bodies (cannot take a limit in one water then another); possession limit = 2x daily limit for the water fished.
- ⚠ Residents 12+ need a fishing license; nonresidents under 12 may take only 50% of the limit.
- ⚠ Fish may be taken only by angling (hook and line, rod and reel, closely attended); max 2 lines, max 3 baited hooks or 2 lures.
- ⚠ All game fish must be dead before being transported away from the water.
- ⚠ Bull trout: possession prohibited - all captured must be released immediately.
- ⚠ Use of game fish or protected species as bait prohibited (except preserved salmon eggs).
- ⚠ No size limit unless noted; measured as total length.
Species Limits by Zone
easternsouthern
| Species | Limit | Size / Season |
|---|---|---|
| Trout | 5 per day | |
| Mountain whitefish | 5 per day | |
| Warmwater game fish | 15 per day (max 10 black bass) | |
| Northern pike & yellow perch | No limit (unlimited possession) |
Waterbody-Specific Rules
Jarbidge River (Elko Co.)
- 5 trout + 5 mountain whitefish; bull trout possession prohibited.
Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Jan 1-Jun 14: 5 trout + 5 bass; Jun 15-Dec 31: 5 trout + 10 bass (min 10 in); bait prohibited; chumming prohibited.
South Fork Reservoir / South Fork Humboldt
- 5 trout, 1 black bass, 1 wiper, 5 channel catfish (bass/wiper min 15 in); Mar 1-Jun 30 C&R for bass.
Wildhorse Reservoir
- 5 trout, 1 black bass, 1 wiper, 5 channel catfish (min 15 in); no limit yellow perch.
Tonkin Springs Reservoir
- Trout: 5/day; artificial lures only; electric motors only.
Comins Lake
- Northern pike: unlimited (kill or release); largemouth bass: mercury advisory - no consumption.
Cave Lake
- Trout: 5/day; pike unlimited.
Illipah Reservoir
- Trout: 5/day (special waters).
Lake Tahoe
- Trout: 5/day; kokanee 5; mackinaw 5 (18 in min in some seasons); no chumming.
Topaz Lake
- Trout: 5/day; walleye 5; no chumming; interstate water.
Walker Lake
- Cutthroat trout: catch and release only; no bag limit on others.
Kirch Wildlife Management Area
- Trout/warmwater per special regs.
Humboldt River
- Trout: 5/day; walleye 5; catfish 10.
Lake Mead
- Striped bass: 10/day, 15 in minimum; largemouth 5; catfish 10; quagga mussel precautions.
Lake Mohave
- Striped bass: 10/day; largemouth 5; tilapia unlimited.
Colorado River
- Striped bass: 10/day; smallmouth 6; catfish 10; 2 hooks max.
Seasons
Open year-round, any hour, unless noted in special regulations.
Licence Fees
Nevada fishing license required (residents 12+); Interstate Boundary Waters license for Lake Mead/Mohave/Colorado River; AIS decal for Nevada vessels.
Edition: 2026 Nevada Fishing Regulations (NDOW, effective Jan 1 - Dec 31 2026) · Effective: Jan 1, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026 · Source: Nevada Dept. of Wildlife (ndow.org/fish/fishing-regulations)
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