Southern Nevada Fish Reports

Action has been a little slow this past, but the rainbow trout that have been caught hit on rainbow PowerBait near the dam. The group use area at the state park has reopened with 40 new full-hook-up RV sites that are now available on a first-come first-serve basis.

Anglers are finding continued success for hatchery trout that were planted in early October. A variety of baits and lures have proven effective and one more for the list is the floating mice tail. Though 20,000 fish were planted in late September and early October, catch-and-release fishing is still a good method of extending fishing opportunity. Most of the stripers coming in are in the

Anglers have reported moderate success for stripers with anchovies the top bait when fished on a drop shot rig. Anchovies have been a top bait setup on a drop shot rig. This bait is also popular for catfish while working the backs of coves.

The final catfish plant of the year took place Oct. 23. Anglers have found the best fishing for the larger-than-usual fish with meal worms fished off the bottom.

The striper bite has been quite slow, but the action should improve as the cold front comes through and temperatures drop. Striped bass will start moving up in the water column where anglers can find improved fishing at depths between 25 and 40 feet. There has been an abundance of bait, mainly small gizzard shad, which explains the sluggish striper action. Catfish are still hitting

Water clarity has improved over the past week along with angling success. Some fly fishermen did well for brown trout using black ant patterns, while bait anglers did well off the dam and dock using PowerBait in rainbow or orange for the rainbow trout.

Water levels have risen following the rain storms almost 2 weeks ago. Some anglers did well for crappie over the weekend with the warm daytime temps, while rainbows were taking PowerBait or nightcrawlers off the dam.

Action has improved slightly for the striped bass in the area. Following the trout plants, anglers have found greater success using trout imitation lures to catch the stripers, although anchovies still remain the top bait. Trout are dispersing from the stocking sites and in the area of Sunshine Peninsula, anglers are catching near limits using rooster tails and Panther Martins.

Anglers have had fair success working the coves. Largemouth bass are taking plastics in darker colorations in about 25 feet of water. Catfish have been hitting on anchovies at night. The striped bass, while rather elusive for some, have been found to take topwater baits early.

Catfish are due to be stocked this week (last for this year) at Floyd Lamb Park, Sunset Park, Lorenzi Park and Boulder City Pond. Rainbow trout plants will not begin until all the ponds reach a temperature range that the trout can tolerate.

Striper have been out early, so for those that make it out in the gray light, better success has been had. Various lures and artificial baits have been more productive than using live bait over the past week. Boulder Basin continues to be a hotspot with anglers trolling through the Boulder Beach area. Smallmouth bass are still hitting on dropshots mostly near