Nevada
Overview
Despite being the nation’s driest state, Nevada supports a remarkable diversity of native trout, including Bonneville and Yellowstone cutthroat trout, bull trout, Columbia River redband trout and the Lahontan cutthroat trout, Nevada’s state fish. Working with public and private partners, we are restoring degraded streams, reconnecting critical habitat and addressing threats to native trout populations to sustain healthy watersheds and fisheries across the state.
Fish We're Protecting
Threats & Opportunities
Degraded habitat, nonnative species, drought, declining snowpack and rising temperatures threaten Nevada’s native trout. Working with partners, we are restoring streams, improving habitat and strengthening the resilience of native trout populations. Our work to recover Lahontan cutthroat trout provides a science-based model that can help guide wild trout recovery across the country.
What We're Accomplishing
Restoring Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Habitat in the Quinn River
In northern Nevada’s Quinn River watershed, we are working with the Bureau of Land Management, Nevada Department of Wildlife and mining industry partners to restore 25 miles of streams across four tributaries. This multiyear effort will improve spawning habitat for some of the last genetically pure populations of stream-dwelling Lahontan cutthroat trout.
Reconnecting Native Trout Habitat in Maggie Creek
Working with ranchers, landowners and agency partners, we are restoring Maggie Creek through improved grazing practices, riparian restoration and fish passage improvements. By replacing culverts and irrigation infrastructure that block fish movement, we are reconnecting habitat for Lahontan cutthroat trout and restoring natural stream function.
Protecting the Ruby Mountains
We are working with hunters, anglers, conservation organizations and local communities to protect the Ruby Mountains from potential oil and gas development. Through our support of the Ruby Mountains Protection Act, we are advocating for the withdrawal of approximately 450,000 acres of public land from oil and gas leasing to safeguard native trout habitat and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Restoring Habitat and Protecting Access on the Lower Truckee River
East of Reno, we are improving habitat and public access along the Lower Truckee River through restoration projects, community cleanups and policy advocacy. Our work includes habitat improvements at a county park, organized river cleanups and efforts with local stakeholders and agencies to permanently protect public access at Mustang Trailhead.
How You Can Help
Learn more about the Lahontan cutthroat trout and how we are working to recover Nevada’s state fish.
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Nevada Conservation Team
Cody Edward
Utah & Great Basin Director
cody.edward@tu.org
Utah & Great Basin Director
cody.edward@tu.org
Priority Waters
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Ruby and East Humboldt Mountains
Sometimes called the Swiss Alps of Nevada, the Ruby Mountains and the East Humboldt Range serve as a majestic backdrop to the town of Elko. The state’s largest mule deer population calls the Rubies home, as well as the threatened Lahontan cutthroat trout. The landscape boasts beautiful peaks, wetland marshes, native trout streams, and abundant wildlife. But drought, oil and gas leasing, climate change, and nonnative fish stocking threaten ecosystem health.
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Walker Basin
The Walker River begins in the Sierra Nevada and flows into Walker Lake, a critical habitat for Lahontans that has declined more than 150 feet since 1882 as a result of depleted freshwater flows. The watershed provides an important habitat for migratory birds. We are working with federal, state, and local partners on a balanced approach to watershed management and restoration in this priority basin.
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Carson River
Known for abundant fishing opportunities, the Carson flows from the Sierra Nevada and terminates in Lake Lahontan near Silver Springs. The river, once an abundant trout fishery and part of the historical Lahontan range, has experienced dramatic declines in abundance and diversity of fish species due to channel modifications, bank erosion, warming water temperatures, development, and years of mining.
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Truckee River
One of the most heavily fished waters in the state, the Truckee was originally home to Lahontan cutthroat trout. Around the mid-to-late 1800s, logging damaged habitat, water was diverted for agricultural and municipal use, and the spawning runs of cutthroat out of Pyramid Lake all but ceased as a result. As the populations of Lahontans declined, nonnative sport fish species were introduced, including rainbow and brown trout, to replace the native cutthroat that were lost. Today, the Truckee River remains an outdoor recreation destination for local communities and tourists alike and ongoing efforts to reintroduce Lahontans to Pyramid Lake provide hope for the future.
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Montana Mountains
Home to Nevada’s most important sage grouse population and a diverse assemblage of other game and native species, the Montana Mountains represent a unique opportunity to benefit broadly from habitat conservation. Though overgrazing once caused significant damage to this area, it is now home to multiple conservation ranching initiatives, which work to improve habitat.
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McDermitt Creek
On the border of southeast Oregon and northern Nevada is the McDermitt Creek Basin, a network of perennial coldwater streams that are part of the Lahontan cutthroat’s historical range. The introduction of non-native rainbow trout increased competition and hybridization. Trout Unlimited and our federal, state, and local partners are working to restore native Lahontan populations to the basin.
Stories
