Hobart Reservoir - Washoe County, NV

Hobart Reservoir, located above Carson City, NV in the Carson Range, is a high-elevation fishery ideal for adventurous fly anglers. At over 7,600 feet, this small alpine reservoir is stocked with tiger, rainbow, and brook trout, offering great variety and solid catch rates in a scenic backcountry environment.

Accessible only by foot, mountain bike, or 4WD, Hobart rewards those willing to make the journey. Fly anglers will find success with nymphs, streamers, and dry flies, especially during late spring through early fall. Subsurface patterns like woolly buggers, balanced leeches, and beadhead nymphs work well throughout the season. Tiger trout are especially aggressive toward streamers retrieved along weedy or rocky shorelines.

Surface action improves in summer and early fall, with brook trout and rainbows rising to caddis, callibaetis, and terrestrials in the late afternoon. The lake's clarity and relatively small size make it ideal for sight fishing and working the margins with dry-dropper rigs or lightly weighted nymphs.

Because the reservoir receives light pressure, fish are often eager to take well-presented flies. Shore fishing is excellent, and float tubes—while helpful—are not essential. Weather can shift quickly at this altitude, and anglers should plan for rapid temperature changes and potential wind.

Hobart is one of northern Nevada’s most rewarding small-lake fisheries, offering solitude, alpine beauty, and diverse trout species. It’s an ideal destination for those seeking a scenic, low-pressure fly fishing experience in a wild setting.