Southern Nevada Fish Reports

The boundaries for the Lake Mead National Recreation Area end just below Davis Dam so the fishing opportunities the river offers are available for anglers. Catfish are still biting hard and those throwing out a line have reported bringing in fish in the double digits. Anchovies have been the most versatile bait bringing in the catfish as well as trout. Some of

LAKE MOHAVE - Due to the federal government shutdown, all national recreation areas are closed.

Largemouth bass and bluegills are still taking night crawlers and mealworms in most of the ponds. Using smaller hooks, sizes eight, 10 or 12, and lighter line will help improve chances of hooking into these wily fish. Catfish action has been best early in the morning and after dark. The next catfish stocking will be the week of Oct. 21. There is

LAKE MEAD - Due to the federal government shutdown, all national recreation areas are closed.

Anglers competing in the one-fly fishing tournament held over the weekend found good action for rainbow trout. The winner caught and released 38 fish in three hours while fishing with a black Woolly Bugger. Shore anglers also found good fishing with Zeke's cheese flavored bait and PowerBait in various colors. Largemouth bass continue to take lures and flies. Anglers landed several bass during

Trout fishing has picked up. Anglers are catching fish with night crawlers, mini marshmallows, lures and flies. Largemouth bass and crappie continue to take night crawlers and jigs.

The catfish bite has been good along the river. One lucky angler landed a catfish that weighed in at more than 13 pounds while fishing near Community Park. Many others have reported bringing in fish in the 7- to 10-pound range. Both night crawlers and anchovies are catching the fish. The striper bite has slowed down but anglers are still bringing in a few

Anglers fishing out of Cottonwood Cove have been catching largemouth and smallmouth bass by working imitation crawdads and plastic worms in the backs of coves. The catfish bite is on, and the fish are taking a variety of baits. Look for fish near underbrush or fallen logs to improve your odds. Striper action, on the other hand, has been light with anglers catching only

NDOW has received many calls recently about legal baits to use for the catfish. The use of any part of a fish, alive or dead, is prohibited. Shrimp, hotdogs, chicken gizzards and corn are all legal; but anchovies are not legal in the urban ponds.

The one consistent report from locations across the lake is that live bait has proven to be more productive than imitations when it comes to taking striped bass. Live threadfin or gizzard shad are best, but anchovies are a good substitute. Anglers on the water have marked fish pretty deep. If netting shad, remember that your cast net can have a

With the U.S. Open bass tournament taking place at the beginning of the week, anglers encountered a few extra boats on the water along with periodic thunderstorms. Launching out of Callville Bay, participating anglers reportedly found some "brutal" fishing conditions but still managed to catch plenty of smaller bass. Many were using a drop shot technique or throwing crankbaits. Despite the difficult fishing,