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Lahontan Reservoir is named for an ancient lake that once covered one-tenth of Nevada's present surface area.
While Pyramid and Walker lakes are actual remnants of the original Lahontan, the 17-mile-long Lahontan Reservoir is a manmade impoundment on the Carson River.
The state recreation area circles the 10,000-acre reservoir, with 69 miles of shoreline, and two separate operating units spanning two counties. Two semi-developed campgrounds are available; one with 11 sites at Churchill Beach, and one with 29 sites at the Silver Springs Beach. The majority of camping is in open space, undeveloped areas on or near the reservoir's shoreline. Sanitary dump stations are available on both sides of the park.
Naturally the lake is big with fishermen, producing walleyes, channel catfish and a variety of bass, including the increasingly popular hybrid "wiper." Equipped with a boat launch, the park is also popular with pleasure boaters (including kayakers) and water skiers.
The Nevada Wildlife Viewing Guide cites Lahontan as a wildlife watching destination. From a boat or the shore, waterfowl, deer, mustangs and coyotes are visible year-round, while seasonal visitors include songbirds, butterflies and lizards.
In the spring, expect to see Canada geese, tundra swans and ducks. Islands are nesting sites for ring-necked and California gulls. The area attracts wading and diving birds, wintering bald eagles and Nevada's only known nesting bald eagles.
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