Lahontan State Recreation Area

Summary

Lahontan State Recreation Area centers around Lahontan Reservoir, which was created in 1905 with the construction of Lahontan Dam on the Carson River. Today, the reservoir offers 69 miles of shoreline and is a popular spot for year-round fishing. Anglers can find brown trout, rainbow trout, wipers, walleye, white bass, and carp, and each June the area hosts the popular annual Kids Carp Derby.

Lahontan is also a great place to slow down and watch wildlife. Bald eagles and waterfowl are commonly seen near the water, while bobcats and mule deer may be spotted along the shoreline and surrounding habitat. And if you enjoy the smaller, often overlooked wildlife, keep an eye out for scorpions and other desert creatures that call this area home.