Great Basin NP

[albinotrout]

I am looking at going to the Great Basin NP in July for two nights. I am wondering how the fishing is? What will I be looking at fish wise? I am thinking of taking my 4 wt fly rod and some spinning gear. Thanks for the help!
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[karl_l]

I haven't fished Great Basin itself, but there is some decent fishing near Ely, about an hour from the park.

If you like catching planter rainbows with the outside chance at a larger brown trout, Cave Lake has an endless supply to be caught on pretty much any fly offering or small gold kastmasters.

Commins lake is overpopulated with stunted pike. Never caught one there myself, but saw a ton of them dead on the shoreline. (Mandatory catch and kill. They were planted there by a bucket biologist.) Basset Lake north of Ely is somewhat similar, but with some largemouth thrown in.

The best fishing in the area will cost you another hour of driving west from Ely. Illipah Reservoir has some larger trout, and an abundant population of the largest crayfish I have ever seen. Did well when I was there with wooly buggers and kastmasters.
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[albinotrout]

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately I most likely won't make it any further west than the park itself.
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[karl_l]

Ok. Sorry, can't help you with the fishing there.

Not sure what your plans are for the park, but if it isn't already on there, you have to do a tour of Lehman Caves. It has some of the best cave formations that I have ever seen, and that is coming from a geologist.
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[albinotrout]

Yeah plans haven't been made yet. I have a trip planned to Arizona in June I have to get through first. Then I will work on the Great Basin.[] I was thinking of a hotel but changed to hauling the trailer down for two nights in the park. That is as far as I have gotten.
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[Erawk]

I'm not 100% sure if there is no fishing whatsoever. But I do recall my friends inviting me to camp up there and me declining because there weren't any fishing opportunities that I could find close by. If I'm camping, fishing is required.
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[albinotrout]

I hear us on the camping and fishing.[bobhappy]

Looking at a map there are several streams that run through the park and looks like a couple of lakes up high that can be hiked into.
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[doz]

Baker Creek in Baker. Nothing big, but tons of fun!
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[albinotrout]

Thanks, what do you recommend using?
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[doz]

We were using nitecrawlers (cut them in half on a J hook). Nothing big comes out of the creek for the most part, but there are TONS of fish! We kept a few and they are good eating as well.
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[albinotrout]

Ok thanks.
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[albinotrout]

I find it interesting that the NDOW states that they don't manage the fisheries in the park yet the NPS says go by NDOW regs.
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[GEEZER]

P.M. sent
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