Southern Nevada Fish Reports

Striper anglers are still reporting success with topwater lures, while others are transitioning to jigging techniques at depths up to 150 feet. Shad and bluegill crankbaits are tempting black bass. Anglers are finding largemouth bass at the northern end of Boulder Basin.

Anglers are using night crawlers and PowerBait, presented a couple of feet below a water bobber. Freezing overnight temperatures are yielding ice along the edges in the morning hours. Most days, the ice melts off by the afternoon. The launch ramp is open, but the fishing pier is still removed. For up-to-date ice conditions, contact Spring Valley State Park at 775-962-5102.

Trout are the anglers’ primary focus, though few anglers have been venturing out to the reservoir. Ice is starting to cover the edges of the reservoir, making it difficult to launch boats along the shore. Spinners, night crawlers, and Woolly Buggers are great for catching trout. Some are still trying their luck with bass and crappie, but no reports either way. For up-to-date ice conditions,

 PowerBait and red or yellow spinners are tempting rainbow trout along the shorelines of Casino Row and designated fishing areas near Big Bend State Recreation Area. Striper anglers are having success with pencil poppers and spoons for fish under 10 pounds. Few anglers have reported black bass hookups.

Willow Beach anglers continue to enjoy rainbow trout action from the fishing pier and nearby shorelines. PowerBait and night crawlers are the most popular choices. Striped bass action is peaking on Lake Mohave. Topwater lures and shad swimbaits are landing double-digit fish out of Katherine Landing and in the Cottonwood Basin. Chatterbaits and crankbaits are tempting largemouth bass. Anglers targeting smallmouth are using green worms

The Nevada Department of Wildlife has begun its seasonal rainbow trout plants. The fish are taking spinners in the mornings and night crawlers throughout the day. There are a few catfish still biting in the ponds. They have been hitting night crawlers and shrimp. Shrimp are a legal bait because they are not considered to be a fish or fish parts.

Topwater action continues for striped bass in the Boulder Basin. Bone-colored pencil poppers and Whopper Ploppers are taking hits. Ned rigs are the go-to setup for black bass throughout the Las Vegas Bay, Callville Bay, and surrounding coves. For a catfish hookup, try frozen anchovies in shallow and grassy coves after dark.

Anglers have found good fishing for trout in the 12- to 15-inch range. Anglers have been using PowerBait and night crawlers. Temperatures have cooled throughout the day. The launch ramp is open, but the fishing pier is still absent. For up-to-date ice conditions, contact Spring Valley State Park at 775-962-5102.

Days have been warm enough to keep the edges from icing up. A few anglers have reported good action for rainbow trout. Night crawlers and rainbow PowerBait are catching the fish. Weed growth along continues to limit shore access in some areas. For up-to-date ice conditions, contact Echo Canyon State Park at 775-962-5103.

Striped bass in the 1- to 2-pound range are taking anchovies from shore anglers. Larger fish between 5 and 15 pounds have been hitting swimbaits in the evening and overnight. Rainbow trout are biting spinners and trout jigs along the shorelines.

Anglers on Mohave are still seeing striper boils and finding increased hook-ups. Boaters throwing topwater lures are landing fish larger than 5 pounds. Some anglers are also reporting success with shad swimbaits, specifically in the Cottonwood Basin. Anglers at Willow Beach are using spinners and Rooster Tails in the early morning for trout.

Seasonal rainbow trout plants are now taking place at the urban ponds in the Las Vegas area. Trout are taking PowerBait or nightcrawlers. Anglers could also try a combo meal of a chunk of night crawlers with a piece of marshmallow on a size 10 or 12 hook. A few surprising catches over the last week were bass hitting on plastics at Sunset Park and

Live shad and topwater lures are tempting striped bass in the Boulder Basin. Anglers are reporting an increase in black bass action all over the lake. Jigs and soft plastics fished on Ned rigs are producing the best results. Chicken liver is the go-to bait for catfishing overnight.