Southern Nevada Fish Reports

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.

Trout fishing has been very good this past week with anglers catching fish in the 12- to 15-inch range. The fish have been taking PowerBait, night crawlers or small spinners.

Anglers have seen an upswing in largemouth bass action. This trend should continue as water temperatures rise. Crappie are also becoming more active. Anglers are doing well for rainbow trout using PowerBait, night crawlers and small spinners.

Largemouth and smallmouth bass are still keeping anglers busy. In the Cottonwood Cove area, anglers have been reeling in smallmouth that average about a pound and largemouth in the 2- to 3-pound range.

Rainbow trout continue to take yellow and orange PowerBait and Power Eggs. Last week NDOW planted channel catfish in each of the urban ponds. The one exception was Lorenzi Park, which is still under construction. Catfish will take most processed baits, hotdogs, night crawlers or chicken livers. Except for salmon eggs, the possession or use of any fish, alive or dead

Competitive and recreational anglers alike found good action for smallmouth and largemouth bass over the weekend. Windy conditions stirred up the water, but anglers casting dark plastics found success. Anglers are catching striped bass from Vegas Wash to 33 Hole, however most are on the small side. Gizzard shad can be found in the back of the wash.