Carson Lake Wildlife Management Area

The Nevada Department of Wildlife owns or has long-term leases on more than 155,000 acres of land incorporated into wildlife management areas (WMAs) across the state of Nevada. The primary conservation goal on WMAs is the protection of wetlands and waterfowl, including the use of WMAs for recreational hunting.

Carson Lake WMA is comprised of 23,040 acres in Churchill County, Nevada and is centered on Carson Lake, which is the natural terminus of the Carson River. Located approximately 8 miles southeast of Fallon, Nevada and 70 miles east of Reno, Nevada. CLWMA and the surrounding basin are remnants of prehistoric Lake Lahontan, which occupied both the Carson Lake and Carson Sink to the north, where Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge is now located. The history of human existence in the Carson Sink dates back more than 7,000 years and includes some of the earliest and most significant archaeological investigations in the Great Basin.

Carson Lake WMA currently presents a variety of uses such as hunting, bird watching, and hiking around the vast landscape. Salt flats, upland shrub communities, irrigated pastures, and wetland meadows provide various wildlife species with a wide array of critical habitat. A single road for public access leads into the property, splitting into three dirt roads that are atop levees or adjacent to irrigation canals, circling the pasture and marsh areas. Many of the roads have been graveled to provide all-weather access. Three observation decks for bird watching are available to the public year-round

Located in the Lahontan Valley, at the base of the Carson Sink, south of Fallon, Nevada. (About 76 Miles Southeast of Reno, NV) Once in Fallon, Nevada take US 95 South approximately 8.5 miles. Turn left on Pasture Rd. Follow Pasture Rd for approximately 2.3 miles, its the first right entrance with two open gates.

Click on any point in the map to learn about the location or select a topic and scroll down to explore the Carson Lake WMA! To view the map legend, click the right hand arrow next to the the display image.

Do not drive around seasonally closed gates

Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, it is prohibited, within a wildlife management area, to operate a motor vehicle:

1. Off an interior road or trail that is designated for vehicular travel; or
2. On an interior road or trail that is marked as closed to vehicular travel. (Refer to NAC 504.115)

Any Motorized Boats used for waterfowl hunting i.e. long-tailed motors, airboats, electric motors are permitted.(This may change with future managment plan) Water is not deep enough for most other water related vessel recreation.

Hunting is allowed every day for wildlife species upon which there is an established open season.

The use of shotguns capable of holding more than three shells is prohibited on all wildlife management areas owned or managed by this State unless the shotgun is plugged with a one-piece filler, incapable of removal without disassembling the gun, so that the total capacity of the shotgun does not exceed three shells. The use or possession of shells for a shotgun containing shot that is toxic or larger than standard-size T is prohibited. (Refer to NAC 504.135)

Want to print a map before your visit? Free to download here:  link to PDF document 

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