Rye Patch Reservoir an aquatic playground

Nevada's deserts hold some of the greatest secrets in the West.

One such hidden jewel lies almost two hours east of Reno off Interstate 80.

The Rye Patch Recreation Area has been a favorite since it became a state park in 1971. The Bureau of Reclamation built the dam and reservoir in the mid-1930s to provide irrigation water for Lovelock farmers.

Not only does this park offer some great fishing for walleye, wipers and catfish, but it also provides good boating and personal watercraft opportunities.

Paul Schmidt, the supervisor for Rye Patch, said motorists are surprised what this out-of-the-way state park has to offer.

"Most people on Interstate 80 see the water, but they have no clue (of what's there)," said Schmidt, who was previously assigned as park supervisor for Sand Harbor and Lahontan.

Once the motorists drive the two miles from the Interstate to Rye Patch, they will see many shaded campsites dotted below the earth-filled dam.

"We're averaging 20 campers a night. We do get a lot of usage from Reno, Carson City and Fallon," he said.

Also, he said some travelers crossing the northern tier of Nevada also like to stop at Rye Patch to spend the night in one of 46 developed campsites.

"We have no RV hookups, but we have a sewer dump station and fill station. We also have covered picnic areas," he said.

If people want to drive to Rye Patch for the day, Schmidt said the park will reserve a day-area picnic site. He said the sites are used for family reunions, company picnics and weddings.

John Brooks, of Winnemucca, and his family have visited Rye Patch three times this summer.

His family spent most of the day boating, and during the late afternoon, his boys fished for walleye and catfish.

Arizona couple Jack and Lucille McGuire from Bullhead City came to Northern Nevada to beat the heat. When they left Bullhead City in late June, the temperature was near 118 degrees.

They learned of Rye Patch from surfing the Internet.

"We collect rocks. Lucille found a nice piece of crystal and a black onyx," he said.

Schmidt said ghost towns and some active and inactive gold and silver mines surround the area. One of his seasonal park and maintenance rangers, Bert Durance, will put on a gold-panning demonstration next month. Schmidt said Durance will present a hands-on demonstration on Aug. 12 at 10 a.m.

But both men are seeing more users coming to Rye Patch to fish, activity increasingly associated with the reservoir.

Durance said many fisherman are snagging walleye that weigh more than 12 pounds. Earlier this month, an off-duty park ranger and a friend caught their limit of walleye, most weighing 8 to 12 pounds.

"The next state record (15.5 pounds) will come out of here," Durance predicts.

Rye Patch is also stocked with wipers, a hybrid fish crossed between a white bass and a striped saltwater bass. Durance said many wipers range from 5 to 8 pounds with some more than 17 pounds. The channel catfish averages 5 to 6 pounds, and the rainbow trout can range from 22 to 24 inches in length.

Of all the fish, Durance prefers the walleye.

"This is the best freshwater fish to eat," he said. "I compare it to the saltwater halibut. It has a firm body but not a strong, fishy taste."

He said the most successful anglers fish below the dam. On July 14, fisherman were quickly meeting their limit for walleye and wipers. Most anglers use minnows or nightcrawlers.

Durance said said fisherman can call the ranger's station (775-538-7321) to inquire about the water flow.