Southern Nevada Fish Reports

Fly fishermen did well this past weekend using small Woolly Buggers and nymph patterns for rainbows, while other angers were bringing in post spawning browns at the upper end of the lake using silver and gold Super-Dupers. Despite nighttime temperatures below freezing the lake is still ice free. The campground remains open though winterization of the park facilities has already been completed.

Trout action has been good this past week for anglers using lures and baits. Small spinning lures in gold or silver have been working well and bait fishermen are finding success using night crawlers with mini-marshmallow or rainbow PowerBait.

Catfish account for most of the fish caught over the past week with anchovies out performing other baits. Anglers are landing the fish consistently from Davis Dam down to the Avi Casino. Stocked rainbow trout have moved into hiding areas. The Sunshine Peninsula is a good bet as well as the docks above the casino area. Spinners, such as Rooster Tails or Panther Martins, are

Smallmouth and largemouth bass are still showing in the coves with anglers bringing fish in on plastics and night crawlers. Action for stripers has been fair with anchovies or top-water baits early in the day. Willow Beach has had light fishing pressure recently, but there have been fish in the 12- to 20-pound range caught recently on swimbaits in trout patterns.

Fishing action really picked up this past weekend following the first rainbow trout plant of the season in the urban ponds. Several anglers found good action with small spinning lures, such as a Panther Martin gold bladed lure with a black body and chartreuse spots. Rainbow sparkle PowerBait worked great for those bait fishing. Anglers practicing catch-and-release fishing are encouraged to use only single barbless

Anglers able to net gizzard shad have reported moderate success for striped bass. Anglers focusing their netting efforts on more turbid water have caught more bait than those netting elsewhere. The areas near Crawdad Cove or along Boulder Beach have been producing fish with most being in the one- to two-pound range. Trolling has been effective along Boulder Beach. Catfish are hitting on

Rainbow trout are taking PowerBait in the usual orange, green, or rainbow colorations. A few anglers found luck using small Mepp's spinners with silver blades and red dots. Bass action has shut clear off.

PowerBait and night crawlers are both taking trout off the dam. The water level has been rising.

Shore fishing with lures has worked well for anglers targeting striped bass. The area near Davis Dam has been a hotspot. One angler fishing in this area brought in three fish with a total weight of 20 pounds. Night crawlers and PowerBait are both a good choice for rainbow trout. Spinners have proven effective when the fish stop biting baits. Stocked rainbows are beginning

Reports are that the action has slowed for both smallmouth and largemouth bass. Some success has come for those who are fishing Senkos on a drop shot rig along the shoreline. Anglers have had moderate success for stripers in the area of Willow Beach with anchovies and trout imitations both working well.

Fishing was slow this past week though anglers have reeled in a few bluegill and catfish with mealworms or night crawlers. The Nevada Department of Wildlife scheduled the first trout plant of the season at the urban ponds for sometime this week.

Anglers are finding the best striper action early in the morning and just before sunset though the bite has been a little slow. Rat-L-Traps have been working well. Anglers are finding a lot of bait, especially in the Vegas Wash. That could explain the slow bite. Most of the fish are being caught are averaging around two pounds.