Ruby Lake is a natural, spring fed, high elevation marsh, located entirely in the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). The refuge is divided into the North Dike units and the South Lake.
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- Region
- Eastern
- County
- Elko
- Type of water
- Lake or Reservoir
Fishing Report
Some unsafe ice reported at the boat ramp and parts of the collection ditch. Expect Harrison Pass to be impassable after the recent snow. Anglers fishing the collection ditch are reporting fair to good angling for trout with trout over 20 inches being reported. Fall stocking has also increased angler success at the south springs. Fly anglers are reported success with streamers, leeches and chironomids. Small, flashy spinners like Panther Martins are the go-to for spin anglers. Bass fishing is done for the season. Special Regulations: Artificial lures only in the collection ditch. No wading allowed in the collection ditch.
Ruby Lake NWR Angler Guide Information
01-15-2026Stocking Updates
| Stocked | Species | Inches | Date Stocked | Year to Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 774 | Rainbow Trout | 9.0 | 10-14-2024 | 2623 |
| 403 | Rainbow Trout | 10.3 | 04-12-2024 | 1849 |
| 1446 | Rainbow Trout | 10.1 | 04-09-2024 | 1446 |
| 1069 | Rainbow Trout | 8.1 | 10-13-2023 | 13370 |
| 707 | Rainbow Trout | 8.1 | 10-12-2023 | 12301 |
| 7170 | Rainbow Trout | 8.1 | 10-04-2023 | 11594 |
| 1404 | Rainbow Trout | 9.3 | 05-02-2023 | 4424 |
| 1538 | Tiger Trout | 8.9 | 05-02-2023 | 1538 |
| 3020 | Rainbow Trout | 9.4 | 04-21-2023 | 3020 |
Pertinent Information
Ruby Lake lies at an elevation of 6,000 feet in a closed basin and the refuge contains over 9,000 acres of lakes, ponds, and waterways intermixed with islands and bulrush stands to the south and manmade dike units to the north. Depths vary from several inches to 12 feet deep and game fish are comprised of largemouth bass, rainbow trout, tiger trout, brown trout, and brook trout. The average size for largemouth bass is around 11 inches and trout typically surpassed 15 inches. The normal bass fishing lures include crankbaits, topwater, rubber worms, and spinner baits as well as bass flies. Most forms of bait such as salmon eggs, nightcrawlers, and Power Bait work for trout as well as small spinners, spoons, and flies. Spring through early summer or fall is the best time to fish for trout, while bass fishing is usually good in spring through fall. A Forest Service campground is situated adjacent to Ruby Lake and there are several primitive camping sites scattered in the foothills along the west side. There are two boat ramps for South Lake, the Main Boat Landing and Narciss Boat landing.