Southern Nevada Fish Reports

Striper action remains sluggish though catfish have been taking night crawlers and cut anchovies. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are taking plastics fished slowly through grass beds and other submerged vegetation. Anglers have also had some success using spinnerbaits. The Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery stocks rainbow trout at Willow Beach every Friday, attracting both large stripers and anglers who chase them. For trout try

NDOW stocked catfish this week at Veterans Memorial Park in Boulder City, Sunset Park and Floyd Lamb Park. With water temperatures warming anglers should see improved action for largemouth bass and sunfish; both will usually take night crawlers or meal worms. Anglers are still catching rainbow trout left over from winter stocking activities, but that will slow down as the water gets warmer.

NDOW stocked catfish this week at Veterans Memorial Park in Boulder City, Sunset Park and Floyd Lamb Park. With water temperatures warming anglers should see improved action for largemouth bass and sunfish; both will usually take night crawlers or meal worms. Anglers are still catching rainbow trout left over from winter stocking activities, but that will slow down as the water gets warmer.

Anglers have been finding success using both threadfin and gizzard shad in the Vegas Wash area as live bait. Low water has left vegetation exposed, which is making things difficult for those throwing cast nets. Several members of the Nevada Striper Club caught double-digit fish during their weekend tournament. One fish weighed in at 14.9 pounds. The Overton Arm is giving up catfish

Fishing continues to be very good. Trout are taking just about anything from spinners and worms to PowerBait. Anglers vying for the grand prize at the annual $50,000 Tagged Fish Tournament caught four tagged fish over the weekend, but the money fish wasn't among them.

Anglers have found success for rainbow trout while throwing both baits and lures. Green continues to be the color of choice for those using flies. Crappie and bass activity is also on the rise.

While striper action has been slow, it is showing signs of improving. Anglers have had success using a Bomber Long-A and similar lures. An 11-pound striper bit on an AC Plug near Willow Beach. With water temperatures warming up so too is catfish action, night crawlers and anchovies are bringing in fish as large as five pounds.

Fishing has been slow at the urban ponds, probably the result of unsettled weather conditions. Warmwater fish, such as bluegill and largemouth bass are becoming more active as water temperatures warm up.

Fishing has been sporadic due to high winds. Anglers should have better odds this weekend with the wind projected to settle down. An angler from the Nevada Striper Club reports that striped bass are hitting on cut bait, but it's a light bite, so hold your poles or go to free spool. Smallmouth bass have been very active, hitting mostly crankbaits and

Trout fishing this past week has been unbelievable, according to Ranger Ben Johnson. One angler landed an 18.5-inch rainbow on a spinner. The fish pushed the four-pound mark. Another angler caught and released 147 fish between Friday and Saturday, also on a spinner. Fly-fishermen have also found good action while casting green Hare's Ear nymphs and Woolly Buggers. The annual $50,000 tagged fish contest sponsored

Other fish have been seen cruising through shallow water. Trout are taking bait and spinners, and fly-fishers are doing well with green Hare's Ear nymphs and olive bead head Woolly Buggers.

Anglers are still finding success for largemouth and smallmouth bass. Crawdad imitations jerked through the weed beds have been productive. The striper bite is starting to come back in the Willow Beach area. There have been reports of fishermen catching striped bass as large as 12 pounds. Most of the larger fish are taking AC Plugs and other trout imitations.

Yellow Power Eggs continue to do well for rainbow trout while bluegill have started hitting on meal worms. Catfish can be seen cruising near the shoreline but are taking night crawlers and other baits in the deeper waters.

While the water is warming up and the shad are moving in, striper fishing remains inconsistent. Vegas Wash and Echo Bay are producing smaller stripers for anglers fishing anchovies off the bottom. Many of the fish seem to be in good shape.