Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Closures

• Every year from January 1 to June 14: No boats are permitted on the refuge from January 1 to June 14 (as of September 27, 2026). Current notice

Fire restrictions

Nevada Fire Info, BLM Nevada's interagency fire site, keeps the Nevada fire restrictions map and signed orders for every fire zone, and a Nevada fire map of active fires.

Hours, fees, and visitor center

Hours at Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge: 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset; 2 hours before sunrise during waterfowl season, every day of the year.

• Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters305 Ruby Valley Road, Ruby Valley, NV 89833-9802775-779-2237

What visitors do here: wildlife viewing, photography, boating, paddling, fishing, hunting, an auto tour route, hiking, environmental education.

Sources: fws.gov/refuge/ruby-lake/visit-us, checked 2026-09-27; fws.gov/story/ruby-lake-hunting-brochure, checked 2026-09-27.

Auto tour route

• Auto Tour Route

Source: fws.gov/refuge/ruby-lake, checked 2026-09-27.

Wildlife

• BirdCanvasbackSouth Marsh holds the largest nesting canvasback population west of the Mississippi outside Alaska
• BirdTrumpeter swanSeveral pairs may nest each summer and 40 or more birds may winter on the refuge
• BirdDucks and Canada geeseWhen: early fallA wide variety of duck species and Canada geese use the refuge
• BirdSnipeWhen: early fallCongregate along the marsh edges
• BirdGreater sage-grouseCounted on their spring display leks by refuge staff
• MammalMule deer
• MammalPronghorn
• FishRelict daceThe only fish native to the refuge; a restoration project protects it
• FishRainbow, tiger, brook, cutthroat and brown troutSport fish in refuge waters
• FishLargemouth bassSport fish in refuge waters

Source: fws.gov/refuge/ruby-lake/visit-us, checked 2026-09-27.

Hunting

Hunting is allowed on Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge for waterfowl. No refuge permit is needed beyond the state license and stamps. Where, per the refuge: Posted area from Brown Dike south to the White Pine County line; no hunting on Brown Dike or its access road. White waterfowl, including swans and snow geese, may not be shot. Seasons, limits and methods are set by the refuge regulation and Nevada Department of Wildlife rules, which change every year: read them before you go.

Hunting rules for Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Source: fws.gov/refuge/ruby-lake/visit-us/activities/hunting, checked 2026-09-27.

Fishing and boating

Fishing is allowed on Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge with a Nevada fishing license. Where, per the refuge: South Marsh, the Collection Ditch, marsh units and spring ponds. Closed at the Gallagher Hatchery ponds and in Cave Creek west of the county road.

Fishing rules for Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Boats are allowed. Boating season: June 15 to December 31, South Marsh (south of Brown Dike) only. Motors: June 15 to July 31: no motor or battery electric only; August 1 to December 31: motors totaling 10 hp or less. Trailered boats launch only at the Main and Narciss Boat Landings. Water skiing and jet skiing are prohibited.

Sources: fws.gov/refuge/ruby-lake/visit-us/activities/fishing, checked 2026-09-27; fws.gov/refuge/ruby-lake/visit-us, checked 2026-09-27.

Camping

Camping is not allowed on Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Camping and overnight parking are prohibited on the refuge.

South Ruby Campground (0.2 miles outside the boundary): its sites, fees, and reservations on campgroundsdb.com.

Campfires: Fires are prohibited on the refuge.

Source: fws.gov/story/ruby-lake-hunting-brochure, checked 2026-09-27.

Pets

Dogs are allowed on Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge on a leash no longer than 6 feet. All other pets are prohibited.

Source: fws.gov/story/ruby-lake-hunting-brochure, checked 2026-09-27.

Trails

• Collection Ditch Trail(6.2 mi)
• Gravel Pit Pond Hunting Trails(0.77 mi)
• Fort Ruby Interpretive Trail(0.35 mi)
• Cave Creek Trail(0.24 mi)
• Unit 21 Photo Blind Trail(0.11 mi)

Source: fws.gov/refuge/ruby-lake/visit-us/trails, checked 2026-09-27.

Places on the refuge

• MarshSouth MarshNational Natural Landmark; highest concentration of nesting canvasbacks in North America
• PlaceCollection DitchSpring-fed ditch in the northern part of the refuge
• SpringSpring pondsSpring ponds on the west side of the South Marsh
• Historic siteFort RubyMilitary post from 1862 to 1869 that protected the Overland Mail route; interpretive trail
• Historic siteBressman cabin and grave site1880 pioneer cabin and Jacob Bressman's grave, 1.5 miles north of headquarters
• Historic siteHastings Cutoff Trail markersHistoric markers on the emigrant route the Donner Party followed, west by Overland Pass

Source: fws.gov/refuge/ruby-lake/what-we-do, checked 2026-09-27.

Getting there

• Main access road: graded gravel
• The refuge warns that GPS and phone map directions can send you the wrong way: follow the refuge's own directions.
• Harrison Pass is not maintained in winter and may be impassable October to May; use Secret Pass (I-80 exit 321) instead. Check road conditions with headquarters November through May. (as of 2026-09-27)

Source: fws.gov/refuge/ruby-lake, checked 2026-09-27.

Fishing and water

Fishing inside the boundary: Ruby Lake fishing , Ruby Lake NWR – Collection Ditch fishing , Ruby Lake NWR South Lakes fishing , Ruby Lake Unit Twenty-one fishing , with stocking records and species on fishypedia.com.

Public lands next to Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge

• National forestRuby Lake National Wildlife Refuge borders Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.

Photos