When snow has fallen here in the high desert, Ely’s Winter Season is in full swing. Our backcountry terrain has already become legednary to snowmobilers and skiers, but did you know that White Pine County is the southernmost point in the state for consistent ice fishing? It also happens to be home to some trout and pike populations. If you’ve never given ice fishing a try, there’s not better time to get outside and drop a line.
Covering up to 70 surface acres with a maximum depth of 50 feet, Illipah actually recieves teh most ice in the area, even in drier winters. A self-sustaining population of brown trout is supplemented with stocked rainbow trout twice a year. It’s about a 45-minute straight shot west from downtown Ely.
When Comins Lake freezes it becomes one of the sturdiest and thickest ice fishing spots for people to venture out on. At capacity, it covers 410 surface acres, has a maximum depth of 14 feet, and an average depth of about 8 feet. Rainbow trout, brown trout and largemouth bass currrently inhabit the reservoir, along with invasive pikes. Due to the tremendous amount of feed, fish grow very rapidly and reach healthy sizes.
