Southern Nevada Fish Reports

Anglers are reporting that some of the quieter backwaters in the area are great holding spots for largemouth bass and sunfish species. Night crawlers and plastic imitations are working well. Striped bass have been hitting on anchovies and those caught are averaging two to three pounds, but it has not been uncommon for an angler to bring in a six-pounder.

Willow Beach has been a productive stretch of water, with one angler reporting that he is consistently catching 15- to 20-pound striped bass between midnight and 3 a.m. Anglers are also reporting more catches of smallmouth bass along this area, many around three pounds that are hitting on the shad imitation lures intended for stripers. Smallmouth bass all through the lake have been providing anglers

– Bluegill action has been good in most of the ponds this past week for anglers using mealworms and night crawlers. The exceptions are those times when storm cells pass through the valley, slowing down the bite considerably. The May channel catfish plant is slated for sometime this week.

Catch rates continue to look up for anglers. Stripers have been found boiling in the Vegas Wash and at the north end of Boulder Basin. Some anglers report that when using live shad as bait it is difficult to not catch fish. Some anglers have found success chumming with a mixture of anchovies and corn; then when stripers come in they cast Rat-L-Traps or other

Due to an annual trout fishing tournament, the reservoir was very busy over the weekend. The winning fish measured in over 20 inches long and most entrants took fish home. Fly-fishermen are still doing well with Woolly Buggers in olive, brown or black colorations.

Hand-sized crappie have been taking small jigs this past week, and largemouth bass and trout are still hitting just about any bait thrown at them. Pressure was light over the weekend, partly due to the tournament held at Eagle Valley Reservoir.

Striped bass are the primary fish in reports over the past week. Anglers are having success casting anchovies from shore. Catfish are more active at night and can be caught using anchovies, especially in some of the backwaters.

While the action for striped has been on the slow side, those anglers targeting black bass species are being rewarded with tight lines. A creel census completed in the Cottonwood Cove area found that smallmouth bass were “plump, in excellent condition,” said Debora Herndon, NDOW fisheries biologist. The average fish measured 16.5 inches and weighed 2.4 pounds. The fish have been taking Gitzit tube

Bluegill, catfish and bass continue hitting well for those trying their luck at the local ponds. The bluegill are taking mealworms and chunks of night crawlers on small hooks fished off the bottom. A fisherman at Floyd Lamb Park found good action for largemouth by throwing top-water lures along the edge of tule beds. Catfish are not only taking night crawlers, but also hotdog pieces

With a slight reprieve from the heat going into the weekend, now is a good time to get out on the water. Anglers are finding the best odds of netting shad early in the morning, and that leads to good fishing for striped bass. Coves around Government Wash have been producing quality fish, including largemouth, smallmouth and striped bass. In addition to live shad, various

Despite rough weather over the weekend, fly-fishers using Woolly Buggers and Cave Lake specials reported catching and releasing as many as 40 fish a piece before Saturday’s storm forced them off the water. The trout are also taking the PowerBait and night crawlers.

Trout, bass, and crappie are hitting well and taking a variety of baits and lures. Weekend storms kept most people off the reservoir.

Fishing has slowed slightly following our turbulent weather but this slowdown should be temporary as the warmer days return. That said anglers are still having success, bringing in stripers ranging two to five pounds. Anchovies used as bait continue to fool fish, be it striped bass or catfish. One catfish weighing 6.5 pounds was caught near Rotary Park.

According to Rusty at the Riviera Marina, anglers have been reeling in a number of smallmouth bass in the three-pound range. Most seem to prefer night crawlers to plastic imitations. Working a drop shot rig over rocky shelves can trigger a strike. Catfish are hanging in the backs of coves and anglers have been catching fish averaging three to four pounds. While the action has

Catfish were stocked into the ponds at Floyd Lamb, Lorenzi, Sunset, Boulder City and Mesquite on April 22. The fish started biting on mealworms, night crawlers and hotdogs almost immediately. Bluegill are also hitting well on worms at most of the ponds.

While details regarding fishing from the lake this week have been light, general consensus is it was good. This time of year anglers can find success working the openings of coves for stripers looking for shad. Casting plastic imitations or crankbaits into the shallows or against rocky outcroppings can work for largemouth and smallmouth bass. Working the coves into the evening or at night can