USSFN:  12/09/03 - Anglers who are looking for a winter fishing hot spot should consider heading to Walker Lake in Mineral County because outstanding fishing is now being found for cutthroat trout that are averaging nearly three pounds.

“It’s worth the trip,” said Mike Sevon, supervising fisheries biologist with the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). “From Thanksgiving to Christmas and again in April are the best times for fishing. Lots of fish in the three-pound range are being caught.”

A fishing tournament that was held during the Thanksgiving weekend had 89 competitors who reeled in 543 cutthroat trout that averaged 18 inches in length, which is just under three pounds. Both shore anglers and boaters had good success for the fish by casting Torpedo lures (see left column) and spinners.

Sevon said the best trout fishing takes place when the water temperature hits the 50-degree mark and that is where it currently stands. When this happens, the game fish come near the lake’s surface where they feed on midge and damsel flies and a small bait fish called tui chubs.

Boaters can be successful by using a fish finder to locate schools of tui chub. They are usually located in water that is 40 feet deep. Shore anglers work their lures in water that ranges from depths of 10 - 14 feet. Fly fishing is also effective for those using streamers and light and dark colored wooly buggers (see left column).

“Right now they (trout) are gorging themselves on hatches of midges. They will come to the surface where they will feed on them,” Sevon said.

Lodging, restaurants, bait and tackle are available in Hawthorne, located several miles south of Walker Lake. The lake is approximately 320 miles north of Las Vegas adjacent to U.S. 95.