Depending on where you are coming from your day one is most likely going to be setting up your car shuttle from Whitney Portal to Onion Valley. Travel north out of Winnemucca 31 miles, turning left onto SR 140 and on to Denio Junction (100 miles from Winnemucca) before turning left again for another 9 miles. The land surrounding the reservoir is managed by the Bureau of Land You will have to pick up your permit at one of the Inyo National Forest Visitor Centers before you begin.Once you have your permit in hand, drive to the Onion Valley Trailhead (see map), which is about 15 miles west of the town of Independence, CA and sits at an elevation of 9185 feet. We recommend returning on any other browser. The standard baitsinclude nightcrawlers and Power Bait along with flies (nymph patterns andwoolly bugers) fished fr… Sport fish include rainbow trout, bowcutt trout (rainbow x cutthroat trout The road to Onion Valley is usually open from May to November. Unfortunately, that browser is no longer updated or supported by Microsoft and simply can't handle the kind of high-resolution Nevada inspiration our website has to offer. are mid-June during the damselfly hatch and from mid-October to the end of the Onion Valley is a smallish campground with difficult tent sites carved out of rough terrain; there is very little level ground to be had. season (November 15). The loop hike described below is an ascent to the pass and Mt … The only thing preventing you from getting outside here would be a seasonal, weather-related closure. The standard baits This one map shows the entire route. All waters of the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge (within Humboldt County) except Big Springs Reservoir and Dufurrena Ponds. For day hikers, Kearsarge Pass is the main destination (4 miles), and the four scenic lakes en route, with other options being to descend a little way into Kings Canyon National Park to the Kearsarge Lakes, to climb the nearby summit of Mt Scott (off-trail), or to take a much less traveled path to Golden Trout Lake, in a side canyon north of Onion Valley. We went to Onion Valley in the Serria Nevadas near Independence and hiked up to Kearsarge Pass. From Winnemucca, drive 33 miles on US 95, then make a left onto State Route 140. A vessel must be operated at a speed that leaves a flat wake, but in no case may a vessel be operated at a speed in excess of 5 nautical miles per hour. Market Street turns into the Onion Valley Road in 0.2 miles. beautiful place to camp. Fishing has been great. We booked both our wilderness permit and our Onion Valley Campground permit on the first day possible via Recreation.gov. Onion Valley Reservoir. 401 N. Carson StreetCarson City, NV 89701, We use cookies to help us improve, promote, and protect our services. Knott Creek Reservoir lies about 2.5 hours northwest of Winnemucca, and getting there means traveling on both paved and dirt roads. The map we used to plan our route was the Tom Harrison Kearsarge Pass Rae Lakes Loop Map.. When traveling Nevada backroads, be sure to live by the Dirt Road Code by traveling with 4×4 access and spare tire. Poor-from-overuse camp sites dot the shores of this fine swimming lake, and fishing for rainbow and brook trout is good in early season. Get in the loop on what to do, where to go, events not to miss and more. hybrid), and tiger trout (brown x brook trout hybrid). Note: Wet spring conditions can make for difficult driving conditions and a four-wheel drive vehicle is usually required to reach the reservoir. This ride, however, is all about Onion Valley. Situated up beyond the Black Rock Desert and below the mighty Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, planning and … Knott Creek is closest to the tiny border town of Denio—you’ll find that Winnemucca, which lies to the southeast of Knott Creek, is the closest community with all services available. Fly fisherman in float tubes are doing well with sheep creek specials and midge larva under an indicator or fishing small streamers slowly trolled behind a float tube. Besides Knott Creek, a cluster of man-made reservoirs are found in this mountain range, including nearby Onion Valley Reservoir, Little Onion Reservoir, and Blue Lakes. As temperatures continue to drop, the trout metabolism decreases making slow moving lures and flies more productive. At Knott Creek, cast a line into top notch fly fishing, spot untamed wildlife, and stake your tent beneath some of the best stargazing in the country—and world. A lifetime exploring this section of Nevada wouldn’t be enough—a weekend up here certainly promises a restorative escape. This time, since I was camped at the Onion Valley Campground (the top of Onion Valley Road), my plan was to descend down to Gray’s Meadow Campground (situated right where the road finishes climbing the valley floor and starts climbing the mountain itself), then climb back up. Sport fish include rainbow trout, bowcutt trout (rainbow x cutthroat trouthybrid), and tiger trout (brown x brook trout hybrid). ONION VALLEY INYO NATIONAL FOREST Once an Indian trading route, the Kearsarge Pass trail provides access to a lovely east-side lake basin and the spectacular backcountry of Kings Canyon National Park. Onion Valley Reservoir Fish Report for 10-2-2019. Whether you’re baitcasting, fly fishing … Trails from Onion Valley provide acces to the John Muir Wilderness and Kings Canyon National Park. There are several trailheads that allow you easy access to high elevation lakes and peaks. In the spring, Onion Valley is popular with backcountry skiers and snowboarders. Our scanners detect that you arrived on our site using Internet Explorer. On the plus side, it's an excellent jumping off point for Kearsarge Pass and day hikes to several nearby lakes and mountains. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from July until July. Onion Valley Campgroundhas 30 campsites. Protected by its remoteness and proper management plan, the fish population here are sizable, growing up to 30 inches. Rough trails lead to the high bowls containing Robinson Lake and the Golden Trout Lakes. Flows on the Carson are about 80 cfs and fishing has been good. Tucked in the spectacular, ruggedly remote northwestern Nevada, Knott Creek Reservoir, Onion Valley and Blue Lake beckons outdoorsmen of all kinds thanks to its top notch fly fishing, crowdless hiking trails, untamed wildlife, and some of the best stargazing in the state, country, and world. occurs at primitive sites and a restroom is located at the south end of the Onion Valley Campgroundis at the end of Onion Valley Road in the Inyo National Forest, 14 miles west of Independence. Many who choose Onion Valley Campgroundenjoy photography, fishing, and simply soaking in the magnificent scenery. This trip can be the first leg of a longer trip into Kings Canyon National Park and the Rae Lakes area. Grays Meadow Campground ( Upper & Lower ) is about 7 miles down the road from Onion Valley Campground. Aspen stringers make this area a include nightcrawlers and Power Bait along with flies (nymph patterns and The campground is near Kearsarge Pass, Robinson Lake and Golden Trout Lakes Trailheads, which access several alpine lakes and mountain peaks within the John Muir Wilderness, as well as Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. Tucked in the spectacular, ruggedly remote northwestern Nevada, Knott Creek Reservoir, Onion Valley and Blue Lake beckons outdoorsmen of all kinds thanks to its top notch fly fishing, crowdless hiking trails, untamed wildlife, and some of the best stargazing in the state, country, and world. The road is usually open from May to … The best fishing season window is from June to October each year, with the most productive fly patterns during the early season. A lifetime exploring northwestern Nevada wouldn’t be enough—a weekend here certainly promises an unforgettable escape. Management making the entire area accessible to angling. As fishermen, we know there are times when our favorite spots are just not active so we built our Hot Spots feature to show you where the fish are biting in the area of Onion Valley Creek. Carry plenty of snacks and water, be sure to let someone know where you’re headed and when you plan to return, and practice Leave No Trace methods whenever possible. The Onion Valley to Whitney Portal section of the John Muir Trail is by FAR one of my favorite backpacking trips in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Make sure to obtain an overnight permit up to 6 months in advance. The best times of year to fishare mid-June during the damselfly hatch and from mid-October to the end of theseason (November 15). Enjoy the video! The reservoir is stocked with a handful of different trout species, like rainbow trout, and two hybrid species including bowcut trout (rainbow and cutthroat hybrid), tiger trout (brown and brook hybrid.) Follow the signs to the top of the hill, another 20 miles. by Nevada Department of Wildlife 10-2-2019 Website. HUMBOLDT COUNTY CLOSED WATERS: All tributaries to Summit Lake. Download area map for trail names. Onion Valley Reservoir was constructed in the Onion Valley Campground to Flower Lake is a 4.3 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Independence, California that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. Majestic scenery and challenging trails draw campers to the Onion Valley area for hiking and horseback riding. early 1960s as an irrigation reservoir. Turn west on Market Street. to 16 inches. Travel for 9 miles and then turn left (or south) onto Knott Creek Road. woolly bugers) fished from float tubes. Nearby Matlock Lake, Slim Lake, and Bench Lake offer enjoyable fishing for book trout. As you bucket list your way around the site, get safety info and tips on roaming responsibly here. Trailers are not recommended, though primitive tent camping is available all along the shoreline. Within Independence, turn left (west) on the Market Street, signed for the Onion Valley. Along this road, towed trailers, cab over campers and tent trailers are not recommended. Kearsarge Pass and Fishing in Onion Valley When it comes to backpacking opportunity, the Eastern Sierras is second to none. Onion Valley Area Recreation Outdoor recreation in the area includes hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, fishing, stargazing and wildlife viewing. Fly fisherman using small streamer have done equally as well. Grab one in advance at NDOW’s website and if you’re already here, grab one at one of the state’s many license agents. Fishing Independence Golden Trout Lake Loop is a 5.4 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Independence, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Most of the sites have good privacy and shade from trees. Knott Creek Reservoir is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Discover wild bighorn sheep and pronghorn antelope in the nearby Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge and the Black Rock, explore the other reservoirs in the Pine Forest Range, hit some natural hot springs, rockhound natural opal fields, bask in true silence, and admire the heavens above some some of the best stargazing in the USA. Planning the Trip. Onion Valley Reservoir Fishing Report Spin fishing has been best with a small... more » Nevada Department of Wildlife: 7-1-2019: Onion Valley Reservoir Fishing Report The opener at Onion was excellent. Fishing has been good and will continue to get better with the falling temperatures. Although there is a lot of climbing to get over Kearsarge pass, our group did fine with a night at Onion Valley Campground to get a bit acclimated. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/onion-valley-to-gardiner-lake About Fishing Hot Spots for Onion Valley Creek near Quincy So you're interested in fishing Onion Valley Creek. After getting up early on Saturday morning, Callie and I found ourselves at the Onion Valley trailhead at 10:30AM with a permit to go up to Matlock Lake for the night. Before casing a line into any bodies of water in the Silver State, get yourself legal with a proper Nevada Fishing License. For more info on Knott Creek Reservoir and to check conditions before heading out, get in touch with the NDOW Winnemucca Office at (775) 623-6565. Knott Creek covers 200+ surface acres with a maximum depth of 24 feet, which makes for ideal float tube fishing or fly fishing from the shoreline. Our first day setting up car shuttles and staying overnight at Onion Valley Campground. A trail from the Onion Valley Campground climbs a little over a mile to Robinson Lake with fishing for rainbow and brook trout. If you are flying into the area, it’s probably faster to fly into Reno or Southern California and drive from there. 5 trout. Season is open the second Saturday in June through November 15, any hour of the day or night. Anglers generally catch trout ranging from 9to 16 inches. Onion Valley is about 15 miles west of in downtown Independence, at an elevation of about 9,600 feet. Onion Valley Reservoir covers 101 acres whenfull and has a maximum depth of 24 feet. Then turn south onto the Knott Creek Road. Spin fisherman using small spinners slowly retrieved in deeper pools have caught a few good fish. Kearsarge Pass can be accessed from the Onion Valley trailhead (elevation 9,200 feet) out of Independence by way of Hwy 395. More Information. By continuing to use the site, you agree to our cookie policy. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. lake. Situated up beyond the Black Rock Desert and below the mighty Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, planning and adventure to Knott Creek Reservoir promises true alone-in-nature experiences in one of the most remote places in the Lower 48. At a Glance Fishermen will find a variety of fish including brook trout and rainbow trout here. Follow for 7 miles to the junction at Sand Pass Road, then another 7 miles to the reservoir itself. For the most up to date info on Knott Creek Fishing Regulations and a current fishing report, click here. A 3 hour drive gets you to some of the best hiking in the world. Spin fishing has been best with a small kastmaster, rooster tails, or powerbait off the bottom. Nestled in the pristinely beautiful Pine Forest Mountains, Knott Creek Reservoir fishing is so great because the lake is managed and stocked by the Nevada Department of Wildlife. This small lake absorbs much of the day-hiking impact from people camping at Onion Valley, as does Flower Lake, at the top of the next set of switchbacks. Get To Know Elko's 51 New Murals, And How To Find 'Em. There are several trailheads that allow you easy access to high elevation lakes and peaks. Follow the Onion Valley Road for 12.8 miles to the trailhead parking area. Onion Valley Reservoir covers 101 acres when Copyright © Nevada Department of Wildlife, James Lathrop and Wayne Capurro Memorial Internship, Wayne E Kirch Nevada Wildlife Conservation Award. We use cookies to help US improve, promote, and how to find 'Em when. Of theseason ( November 15 ) make this area a beautiful place to camp COUNTY ) Big... Sand Pass Road, then another 7 miles to the top of the have. 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