Q-Tip: Wildhorse Perch Derby

The Wildhorse Resort at Wildhorse Reservoir in Northern Elko County is sponsoring a two-day, ice-fishing derby for perch.

That derby will be held on Saturday and Sunday.

If you would like to participate. here is some information:

To reach the reservoir, drive east from Carson City on U.S. 50 to Silver Springs. At Silver Springs, take U.S. Alt. 95 north to Fernley. At Fernley, take I-80 east to Elko.

In Elko, take Nevada S.R. 225 (The Mountain City Highway) north to Wildhorse Reservoir.

This will be a trip of about 364 miles (one-way) from Carson City.

When you fish, the most success method, currently, is to jig in about 8-10 feet of water with either a No. 6 or No. 8 hook. On that hook, place a small, white, plastic Crappie jig. Cover the hook tip with either a piece of mealworm or a small piece of a party-sized marshmallow. Of the two baits, the mealworm works the best. Drop your jig to the bottom and then bring it back up off the bottom with about 1-2 turns of your reel handle.

You can also jig with other baits such as: worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs or by using a combination of worms/corn or worms/Power Bait or worms/salmon eggs.

When you are successful, you will catch lots and lots of perch!

There is no limit on the perch. That's correct, there is no limit on the perch. In fact, you are encouraged to catch and keep as many as you can.

In addition to the perch, you will have the opportunity to catch other species such as German brown trout, rainbow trout, Tiger Trout, black bass, smallmouth bass and crappie.

However, remember that only the perch count in this annual derby.

The Wildhorse Reservoir fishing season is open year round, any hour of the day or night. The limits are five trout and 15 warmwater game fish, of which not more than five may be black bass (the minimum size for black bass is 11 inches). From March 1 through June 30, only "catch and release" fishing is allowed for the black bass.

A total of $300 in cash prizes will be awarded each day to the three longest perch ($150 for longest, $100 for the second longest and $50 for the third lognest).

The registration fee is $15 per day.

For information, call Dennis Dunn or Steve Epling at the Wildhorse Resort at (775) 758-6472.