Bassett Lake Fishing Spot
- Mean Depth: 5'
- Last Modified By: vinny60 on 09/28/09 09:01 AM
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Fishing is best in the early spring following ice off to early summer for both the bass and the pike. Be sure to use steel leaders for the pike in front of red and white Daredevils, Rapalas, spoons and spinners (the flashier the better). Typical bass tackle works for the largemouth, however, weedless and/or surface lures are suggested. For a change of pace, try fly-fishing the sloughs above the lake for cruising carp. Wooly bugger, leech, and streamer patterns work best. Tailings Creek produced trophy sized trout in the past, but recent flows have halted all stocking activities.
Bassett Lake Description
Bassett Lake is located 17 miles north of Ely and 5 miles northwest of McGill off Highway 93 via a dirt road. Bassett Lake covers 77 surface acres, at capacity, with an average depth of 5 feet. It represents one of only two waters in Nevada that has a fishable northern pike population and also one of two waters in the county with a largemouth bass fishery. It also contains a large population of nuisance carp. Fishing from shore can be difficult, so a boat or float tube/pontoon boat is recommended. During the “Dog Days” of summer, biting insects and a thick mat of aquatic vegetation render the lake nearly unbearable and unfishable. Camping is not allowed and no toilets are available. A primitive boat ramp is available on the east shore. Roads can be very sloppy when wet. Open year around, any hour of the day or night. The limit is 10 largemouth bass and 5 trout daily (Tailings Creek) and in possession. There is no limit on northern pike (unlimited possession). Due to a change in regulations in 2006, northern pike are now considered a prohibited species and anglers wishing to keep pike to eat are required to kill them upon capture. 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.