Southern Nevada Fish Reports

Trout plants continue weekly at Sunset, Lorenzi, and Boulder City ponds. Floyd Lamb Park is scheduled to receive fish the week of Jan. 27.

Anglers have had a difficult time locating the striped bass following the full moon. Those using fish finders are finding mostly small schools of fish. Larger schools are down deep. Jigging in about 60 feet of water has produced some results. Smallmouth bass are taking dark plastics and have been found schooling near steep rock walls in about 25 feet of water.

Fishing action remains good for ice anglers using night crawlers, mealworms or PowerBait. The ice is about eight to 12 inches thick over most of the lake. Fish are averaging between 12 and 13 inches in length.

The only fishable ice has been close to the dam. Ice conditions are questionable with open water and very thin ice throughout much of the lake. NDOW and State Parks strongly encourage anglers to use extreme caution.

Trout action has been light from Davis Camp through the casino area down to Big Bend State Park. Those who are catching the fish are using night crawlers and small spinners.

The striper bite has been light but trolling deep may bring success. Largemouth can be found in the back of coves and may take dark plastics or jigs. The catfish bite has been decent in most coves, especially at night on cut baits.

Anglers should find good action for stocked rainbow trout following weekly fish plants by the Nevada Department of Wildlife. Flies, PowerBait, night crawlers and will catch the fish.

Anglers have had great success netting the threadfin and gizzard shad throughout the Vegas Wash area. Unfortunately, the abundance of shad may also explain the lack of bite some anglers have been reporting. Don't get discouraged as persistence will pay off. Anglers are reeling in both striped bass and catfish from the 33 Hole area. Live shad are taking the fish. If trolling, try

According to State Park Ranger Ben Johnson, the fishing has been absolutely fabulous, with anglers landing 11- to 13-inch rainbows through ice that is averaging eight to 12 inches thick across the reservoir. Green PowerBait and night crawlers are working the best. The park will host its "Ice Hole Invitational Tournament" on Saturday, Jan. 18. The event will start at 10 a.m. and registration

Ice on the reservoir has deteriorated this week. The best ice can be found near the dam or the upper area of the lake that receives little sun. Thin ice is prevalent throughout the rest of the lake and extreme caution should be used when venturing out. The fishing has been good for rainbows using night crawlers or green PowerBait. The campgrounds

Action has still been good for holdover rainbow trout in the area. Anglers have brought in many weighing more than four pounds, and one lucky angler caught one that pushed past the six-pound mark. Night crawlers have been the bait of choice. Stripers should be making their way out and feeding a little heavier as well, so be sure to bring your striper

With the cooling temperatures, some striped bass have moved further south to the area of Placer Cove or Cottonwood Cove to winter. Stripers can be found in the backs of coves preying on available baitfish. Anglers have also had success trolling deep through these areas. For larger striped bass work the larger plugs, up to 12 inches. If you are not getting a response with

Due to the holidays there have been no reports from the ponds. NDOW plans called for trout plants at Lorenzi, Sunset and Veterans Memorial parks this week and weekly thereafter. Floyd Lamb is on the schedule for the weeks of Jan. 27 and Feb. 27. Small spinners, PowerBait and flies will catch the fish.

Threadfin and gizzard shad have been hanging in the back of the Vegas Wash, which is where you can find striped bass as well. When throwing live bait, larger shad have been igniting a quicker response from the striper. Anglers have also been working Spinnows or various shad imitations and jig heads. Mid-morning and into the afternoon has been productive. While out on the water