Topaz Lake

[growler]

Hi All,
I New to the Forum. I have been in the back ground reading for some time now. I see a lot of you have been helping each other out with great advice very nice to see.
I was hoping to get some of that great advice from you all on Topaz Lake. I never have been there yet. I am located about 3 hrs away, any advice would be greatly appreciated before making that drive to a lake that I never fished yet. Can’t really find a lot of anything online about the lake. Looking for some tips and nice place to camp at on the lake. I will be fishing the lake from a boat.
Thank You,
Kevin
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[TheWhizzle]

TOPAZ LAKE

History - Topaz Lake was impounded in 1922 to store irrigation water and is part of the West Walker River Drainage. It is situated in Nevada (Douglas County) and California (Mono County) and both states contribute to the management of the fishery.


Pertinent Information - Topaz Lake is relatively large with a maximum pool of 126,000 acrefeet, 2,410 surface acres, a length of 3.5 miles, a width of 1.5 miles, and maximum depth of 92 feet. The water level typically remains high throughout winter and spring and reaches its lowest level in summer. After the irrigation season in October, the lake begins refilling.

Rainbow trout is the dominant sport fish, but brown trout and an increasing smallmouth bass population is being targeted by anglers.

Recent Angler Questionnaire data found anglers averaged 1.5 fish per day. Boaters should troll the top 20 ft of the water column; a fish finder will help determine depth. Troll Rapalas with flashers for best results. Shore anglers should fish with Power Bait or worms and cast out as far as possible for best results. The annual
average size of rainbow trout is usually around 12 inches, but trout commonly range in size from 10 to 18 inches. Several 5 pound or larger fish are caught each year.

Topaz Lodge and Casino has a weekly fishing derby and winners’ photographs are posted at the lodge. Most of
the property around the lake, both in Nevada and California, is open to the public. Only portions of the west shore in Nevada and California and the far south end of the lake in California are private property. Boat launching is available at Topaz Marina and Douglas County Park. Douglas County Park additionally provides camping, electrical hook-ups, bathrooms, picnic tables, and a playground. Topaz Marina has fishing boat rentals, boat slips, and drinks.


Stocking - 40,000 rainbow trout will be stocked at a size from 10 to 12-inches during the closed fishing season (October through December), An additional 2,000 tagged trout were stocked and anglers catching one should report the tag number and total length to NDOW
(phone number is on the tag). An angler can also report the tag number on the backside of the forms provided at the angler drop-box located at the Douglas County boat ramp.


Regulations - The season is open January 1 through September 30, 1 hour before sunrise to 2 hours after sunset, except for the area within the jetties of Topaz Marina, which is closed to fishing. Daily and possession limits are 5 trout, 10 mountain whitefish, and 15 warmwater game fish of which not more than 5 may be black bass. Persons under 16 years of age are
not required to have a fishing license. Those anglers, 16 years of age and older, must have a Nevada fishing license and a trout stamp, a Nevada short term fishing permit, or a California fishing license. Two-rod stamps are valid in both states.


Biologist Forecast for 2012 -
The water level is generally high at the beginning of the year. Fishing should be fair to good in the spring and early summer, tapering off in the summer.
Fishing has been good so far this winter/early spring with limits of trout caught. Again, boaters should troll the top 20 feet. As the weather heats up, trout can be found deeper, escaping the warmer water. Boat anglers will do well trolling Rapalas and shore anglers should fish with Power Bait and worms as far out as they can cast.

Smallmouth bass fishing in summer will pick up during June. A project sinking Christmas trees around the lake was completed last year to improve habitat for black bass.


Boating Regulations - All boat harbors and other areas designated by buoys are zones in which 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. Vessels are prohibited in
areas within the signs or buoys located at the county swim beach. There are no restrictions to the size of boat or motor used. Anglers trolling with 10 to 14-foot boats are prevalent and float tube fishing is becoming more common. Water skiing and use of personal watercraft is
a popular recreation when the weather begins to warm.


Access - Access to Topaz Lake is excellent for all types of vehicles. From Carson City, travel south on Highway 395 for approximately 40 miles. Turn east on Topaz Lake Park Rd. to reach the Douglas County Park at the far east end of the reservoir or turn east on Mark Twain Ave. (just past Topaz Lodge and Casino) and follow the road to Topaz Marina. Shore access is available along Topaz Lake Park Rd., within Douglas County Park, and farther
south on Highway 395 in California.


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Look at this smallie from Topaz
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Looks good!
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[BillyH]

I have fished Topaz a couple of times, the fishing is decent. We shore fished using bait and caught a couple of nice trout. The boaters seemed to do much better with trolling. This is a good time of year but you will have a handful of skiers to tend to, so plan for that.

If you are looking for trout there are a couple of other decent spots near by if that one doesnt work out. Desert Creek has some good creek fishing for brook trout, we deer hunt in that area and always spend a day catching some trout for dinner. Mason Valley wildlife reserve is one of my favorite places to fish, we will actually be going there this weekend. It has the trout hatchery there and several ponds that hold good trout. The trout in my avatar came out of Hinkson slough, right behind the hatchery. There are also a number of bass and crappie ponds there too so you get a little variety.
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[growler]

Thanks Billyh

I have fished the cooling ponds a few times and pulled some nice trout out of there. Nothing like the one your holding. The biggest one I caught was maybe 15 inches. My favorite lure is a white buck tail #3 blue fox have really good luck with that.
I think I might hold off going to Topaz during the weekends if there is a lot of water flies.
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