Located just a few miles from Elko, South Fork Reservoir is the region's bass-fishing jewel. It has just less than 2,000 surface acres at capacity and a maximum depth of nearly 70 feet.

This relatively young reservoir was built in 1988 as a boaters' and anglers' playground, not for irrigation, so its water level fluctuates only a few feet during the year.

According to NDOW fisheries biologist Chris Drake, South Fork is a very productive reservoir that consistently produces quality bass.

Both smallmouth and largemouth swim these waters, and some really big ones are living there.

On average, largemouths are in the 16-inch range, and smallmouths stretch the tape to 17 inches.

During a recent electro-shocking creel survey, largemouths up to 7 pounds floated up, and it wasn't uncommon to see 4-pound smallmouths either. Back in 1999, in fact, an 8-pound largemouth was captured, and in 2002, Nevada's current state-record smallmouth came out of here -- weighing 6 pounds, 4 ounces.

Drake knows of several other bigger ones caught during the catch-and-release-only season. Some would press the scales to 7 pounds, he said.

Needless to say, it's a good bet that the next state-record smallie will come from South Fork's rocky shores.

Local tournament angler John Hampel said that South Fork is the best smallmouth fishery he's ever fished, and he's fished them all over the country. He said that even though you're not going to catch a 7- or 8-pound smallmouth, it's not uncommon to have days of 20 fish and more, with them averaging 3 pounds.

And in terms of largemouths, Hampel said that South Fork is one of the most underrated lakes in the West. He said its largemouths don't come as easy as their smallmouth cousins, but do tend to be bigger.

"I've had days when the largemouths averaged 4 to 5 pounds," he said. "And over the past couple of years, I'll bet I've caught more than 40 that weighed 7 pounds."

Hampel is convinced that 10-pound-plus largemouths swim these waters. Don't bet your boat title that you'll catch one, but 5-pound bass are very common.

What makes South Fork such a mecca for quality fish? Both Drake and Hampel strongly agree it's the catch-and-release regulation that applies from March 1 through June 30.

Thanks to this, optimal production is reached during the spring spawn, year after year. And after the catch-and-release period is over, anglers may keep only one largemouth or smallmouth; and it must measure at least 15 inches.

Now you can see why South Fork supports such a healthy population of bass!

Hampel fishes this lake regularly, and according to him, largemouths are found in weedbeds and flooded willows throughout the lake. One of the best spots is the weedbed west of Jet Ski Beach.

For spring smallmouth action, look for activity along the rocky shores. And don't be afraid to look shallow! After the spawn, you'll find bass on deep structure, like channels and rocky points.