Bassett Lake
Fly fishing in Nevada · intermediate · Best seasons: spring, fall
Target Species
Tiger Trout, Rainbow Trout
About This Water
White Pine County lake with tiger trout. Unique hybrid trout fishery.
Fishing Recommendations
Welcome to the high desert of White Pine County. As your guide, I’m excited to break down Bassett Lake, a unique fishery located about 15 miles north of Ely, Nevada. While it may look like a modest desert impoundment, for a fly angler, it represents one of the best opportunities in the state to land a trophy-sized Tiger Trout.
Here is your comprehensive guide to fly fishing Bassett Lake.
🎣 Location Overview
Bassett Lake is a high-desert reservoir characterized by its shallow depth, dense aquatic vegetation, and alkaline waters. Unlike the deep, cold alpine lakes of the Sierras, Bassett is a productive, "buggy" lake.
What makes it special is the combination of nutrient-rich water and managed stocking. Because the lake is shallow, it warms up quickly in the spring, triggering massive insect hatches. The abundant forage allows fish to grow at an accelerated rate. Anglers love it because it offers a "stillwater" challenge where technical presentation meets the aggressive strike of predatory hybrids.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
Tiger Trout
The star of the show. A sterile hybrid of a Brook Trout and a Brown Trout, Tigers are known for their striking vermiculation (worm-like patterns) and their extreme aggression.
- Behavior: They are highly piscivorous (fish-eaters). While they will eat bugs, they prefer to hunt.
- Holdings: They patrol the edges of the weed lines and the deeper channels near the dam. They love "ambush points."
Rainbow Trout
These are stocked regularly by the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW).
- Behavior: More likely to cruise the open water or feed on midge clusters.
- Feeding: They focus on scuds, damselfly nymphs, and chronomids.
📅 Best Times to Fish
Optimal Seasons
- Spring (Late April – June): This is prime time. As the ice melts and the water hits the 50°F mark, the fish become incredibly active. This coincides with the first major damselfly and midge hatches.
- Fall (September – November): As temperatures drop, the Tiger Trout go into a "pre-winter" feeding frenzy. The weeds begin to die back, making it easier to fish streamers without snagging every cast.
Best Times of Day
- Early Morning: Best for surface activity and calm winds.
- Magic Hour (Dusk): The "evening rise" at Bassett can be spectacular if the wind dies down.
- Mid-Day: In the spring, the sun warms the shallows, often activating the baitfish and leeches.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Top Fly Patterns
- Streamers (For Tigers):
- Balanced Leeches (Olive, Black/Red) – Size 8-12.
- Woolly Buggers (Olive or White to mimic baitfish) – Size 6-10.
- Game Changers (Small versions) for aggressive predatory response.
- Nymphs/Larvae:
- Chironomids (Red "Bloodworms" or Silver/Black) – Size 14-18.
- Scuds (Olive or Pink) – Size 14-16. Bassett has a high crustacean count.
- Damselfly Nymphs (Extended body, Olive) – Size 10-12.
- Dries:
- Griffith’s Gnat or Parachute Adams (Size 18-22) for midge hatches.
Effective Techniques
- The "Indicator Hang": Use a slip-indicator to suspend a Balanced Leech or a Chironomid just above the weed tops (usually 3–6 feet deep). The slight chop on the water gives the fly a natural "jigging" motion that Tigers cannot resist.
- Stripping Streamers: Use an intermediate sinking line. Cast parallel to the weed lines and use a "strip-strip-pause" retrieve. Most hits occur on the pause.
- Dry-Dropper: In the late spring, a foam beetle or hopper with a small scud dropper can be deadly in the shallows.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- The Wind Factor: This is Nevada; the wind will blow. If it’s too windy to cast a dry fly, don't go home. This is when you switch to a heavy sink-tip line and a large streamer. The wind stirs up the bottom, disorienting baitfish and triggering the Tigers to hunt.
- Float Tubes/Kayaks: While you can fish from the bank near the dam, the best way to fish Bassett is from a float tube or kayak. It allows you to stay on the outside of the weed beds and cast back toward the shore.
- The "Tiger Twitch": Tiger trout are curious. If you see one following your streamer but not committing, give the fly a sudden, violent twitch. This often triggers their predatory instinct to kill the "escaping" prey.
- Focus on the Northwest Bank: This area often stays slightly cooler and holds some of the larger cruising rainbows.
⚠️ Important Information
- Access: Access is generally easy via Highway 93. There is a dirt road leading to the lake that is usually accessible by 2WD vehicles, but it can get muddy after a spring rain.
- Regulations:
- A valid Nevada Fishing License is required.
- Check current NDOW regulations for bag limits; however, most serious fly anglers practice Catch and Release here to allow the Tiger Trout to reach trophy sizes (20+ inches).
- Special Considerations:
- The Weeds: By July and August, the lake can become extremely "choked" with vegetation, making fly fishing difficult. This is why Spring and Fall are the strictly recommended windows.
- Sun Protection: There is zero shade at Bassett Lake. Bring high-SPF sunscreen and plenty of water.
Guide’s Final Word: Bassett Lake isn't about high numbers; it's about the quality of the fish. If you have the patience to work the weed edges with a leech, you might just hook into the hardest-fighting trout in the Silver State.
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midges Chironomidae | midge | March, April, September, October | All Day | #18-24 | Zebra Midge #18-22, Griffith's Gnat #20-24, Chironid Emerger #18-20 |
| Callibaetis Callibaetis nigritus | mayfly | June, July, August | Late Morning to Afternoon | #12-16 | Callibaetis Spinner #14-16, Hare's Ear Nymph #14-16, Parachute Adams #14-16 |
| Damselfly Enallagma | terrestrial | June, July | Late Morning | #10-14 | Marabou Damsel Nymph #10-12, Adult Damsel #12-14 |
| Dragonfly Anisoptera | terrestrial | July, August | All Day | #4-10 | Dragonfly Nymph #6-10, Gummi Bugger #8-10 |
| Freshwater Shrimp (Scuds) Gammarus | midge | April, May, October | All Day | #12-16 | Ray Charles #14-16, Flashback Scud #12-16 |
| Blue-Winged Olive Baetis | mayfly | April, October | Mid-Day | #16-20 | RS2 #18-20, BWO Sparkle Dun #16-18 |
| Grasshoppers Melanoplus | terrestrial | August, September | Afternoon | #8-12 | Dave's Hopper #8-12, Parachute Hopper #10-12 |
| Water Boatman Corixidae | terrestrial | September, October | Afternoon | #14-18 | Water Boatman #14-16, Prince Nymph #14-18 |