Southern Nevada Fish Reports

The big fish are out and biting again. A large striper just over 20 pounds was brought into the Laker Plaza bait and tackle shop along with about a dozen in the six- to nine-pound range. Anglers have been using anchovies or trolling with large lures to entice the larger fish. As the weather warms the bass will be go into pre-spawn

A third of the lake is open water. The remainder is covered with six to nine inches of ice. Anglers have found fair fishing for trout while using small jigs, night crawlers and PowerBait. Use extreme caution on or near the ice.

Those braving the weather at Willow beach have done well for stocked rainbow trout following the weekly fish plant.

High winds have kept most anglers away from the lake. The take has been slow, but as weather conditions improve fishing should follow suit.

There is open water along the dam and many anglers have taken advantage of this to use jigs and bobbers to take fish. The best baits have proven to be night crawlers and powerbait.

Late February and early March are traditionally some of the best fishing on this water as largemouth and prepare for the spawn. In the last few years they have been joined by a growing smallmouth bass population. During a recent tournament one angler reportedly weighed in a smallmouth that pushed beyond the five-pound mark. Look for the fish to head out of the deeper

Despite warmer temperatures and spring-like weather conditions fishing action remains slow overall. However, there have been some reports of good fishing or striped bass from the Muddy river inflow to Echo Bay. The Vegas Wash area also is showing signs that fishing is beginning to improve.

Anglers have been catching rainbow trout and the odd largemouth bass. Some anglers have reportedly caught a few crappie, but Park Supervisor Ben Johnson said it's still a little early yet. Crappie activity should increase in the coming weeks. For trout try night crawlers or PowerBait.

PowerBait, worms and Woolly Buggers have all been taking rainbow trout at Willow Beach. The fishing is sluggish, but anglers are catching fish. Most are planter-size but some of the trout push three to four pounds. Morning hours have been the most productive. A 25-pound striped bass was reportedly caught over the weekend. Anglers have been finding stripers near Eldorado Canyon, Monkey Hole and

Anglers have been pulling in a few stripers along the Boulder Beach area. At Saddle Cove (B-5 road) anglers caught a mess of striped bass following the trout plant on Friday, all described as "nice fish." There will be no more trout plants until the fall. Tournament anglers found success for largemouth bass during recent tournaments. One angler weighed in a fish that topped the

Echo is nearly full and should receive a load of rainbow trout in the next week or two. As the water warms in spring crappie can generally be caught in the narrows at the upper end of the reservoir. For hold-over rainbows try Mepp's or Panther Martin spinners and PowerBait.

Finally, there is good news out of Willow Beach. Striper anglers have been catching fish on large baits like the Spro BBZ -1 and AC plugs designed to resemble trout. One angler reportedly caught a pair of striped bass that weighed in at 20 and 32 pounds. The recent catch also includes numerous fish weighing from four to 11 pounds. Anglers have been catching the

Windy conditions have again hampered fishing activity. A handful of trout were caught following the Nevada Department of Wildlife trout plant at Hemenway and Saddle Cove (B-5 Road). Those waiting for big stripers to show up for the plants were disappointed. Anglers participating in a striper tournament over the weekend caught some nice fish ??? one weighed nearly 10 pounds. Most of the fish were

Winter storms and cold temperatures have provided solid ice conditions. Anglers are trying their luck despite low water levels.

Weather conditions also have slowed fishing activity on Lake Mohave though some anglers have been catching stripers north of Cottonwood Cove. Tournament anglers have been catching largemouth bass as far north as Nevada Bay. Very little activity is taking place south of Cottonwood. No current report for Willow Beach.

Stormy weather conditions have kept many anglers at home and fishing pressure to a minimum. The Vegas Bay arm continues to produce schooling stripers for anglers using cut bait. Shore anglers have found success with surface plugs in the saddle Cove and Hemenway areas. At least four fish weighing from 17 to 20 pounds have been caught at B-5 Road. Trout anglers have found some