North Ranch Fishing - Trout Ponds

2025 Pond Status: Muskrat Pond and Big Dam Pond are both open for fishing.

Season: May 15 - August 31

The ponds represent a fantastic place to practice your casting and presentation skills. They are also a great place to take children fishing as they will definitely catch fish! 

Trout Pond Fishing Regulations: 

• no smoking anywhere on the property
• no dogs
• spinner lure with one hook
• no treble hooks allowed
• barbless wet or dry fly hooks.

You can expect to catch the following size trout at each pond:

Muskrat Pond: 16 - 25 inch rainbow trout 

Big Dam Pond: 16 - 20 inch rainbow trout 

The North Ranch main compound, which sits at 5400-foot elevation includes two trout ponds, “Muskrat Pond” and the “Big Dam Pond”. These ponds were part of an overall riparian restoration and conservation project at the ranch. They recharge the aquifer, provide a critical water source for wildlife, and breathe new life into the valley bottom. No cattle are allowed in this area. This no-cattle zone consists of 514 aerial acres, with actual acres considerably more considering terrain variations (ridges, draws and such). In this zone only wildlife is permitted to roam freely.