Southern Nevada Fish Reports

Crappie and black bass are biting in the Overton Arm. Both smallmouth and largemouth bass species are in prespawn mode. Anglers are finding success throwing crankbaits near drop-offs in coves and casting Rat-L-Traps into the shallows. Stripers are active and chasing swimbaits or anchovies in the Government Wash area.

The road to the reservoir has been closed due to flood damage and has not yet been repaired. The reservoir is covered with sloppy ice, so ice fishing is out. For up-to-date information on park and road conditions contact Spring Valley State Park at 775-962-5102.  

Spring Valley State Park will hold its annual One Fly Fishing Tournament Saturday, March 30, with registration starting at 9 a.m. and the event kicking off at 10 a.m.  Call the park for details. 775-962-5102.

The water is level is high and has been over the road at times. As a result, the water is murky and fishing activity has been limited. Be prepared for skim ice in the early morning hours. For up-to-date information on park and road conditions contact Echo Canyon State Park 775-962-5103.

Many anglers are catching their limit of rainbow trout below Casino Row. Striper fishing is picking up after a few slow weeks, and catfish are showing up as well.  Both species are taking anchovies from boat and the shoreline. Fish your bait just off the bottom. There have been some bait stealers, so make sure your bait is frozen and well attached.

Action for stocked rainbow trout is good following weekly plants at Willow Beach. Anglers are catching the fish with PowerBait and spinners. Rooster Tails, Panther Martins and Mepp’s spinners are generally a good choice. Smallmouth and largemouth bass are taking plastics and poppers near submerged brush at the edges of coves. Some fish already are fanning out areas for nests. Stripers are biting anchovies and

Catch rates are slow at most of the ponds with trout refusing most baits and the warm water fish not yet active. Trout fishing should pick up as the weather settles out. A few anglers have found better fishing using PowerBait and spinners in gold or silver.

The number of anglers fishing for bass is increasing as largemouth and smallmouth move into the shallows for the prespawn. As the water continues to warm, the fish should begin making nests. Crankbaits, drop shot rigs and soft plastics are worth trying. Striper action has been slow and reports light, but fishing will improve as we move into spring. Night fishing under lights can be

Ice conditions remain good with an average thickness of 8 to 10 inches.  A group of scouts found good fishing over the weekend.  The scouts caught more than 20 fish using a variety of PowerBaits, including chartreuse and orange colorations, and garlic scented options.  Winter storms have left road conditions ranging from muddy to icy and treacherous.  Caution is advised. For up-to-date ice conditions contact

Anglers are limiting out on stocked Rainbow Trout below Davis Dam.  The fish are taking sunset and chartreuse PowerBait.  The marshy areas below Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area have produced a few Striped Bass ranging from 1 to 3 pounds.  Cut anchovies and jointed lures are working for both boat and shore anglers.  No reports for black bass below the dam.  

Anglers have reported some success for Smallmouth Bass in the Cottonwood Basin. The fish are hitting watermelon worms and light green plastics.  Striped Bass seem to be holding at the north and south ends of the reservoir.  The area just north of Davis Dam may be a good option.  The Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery is planting trout each Friday.  Bait options include Woolly Buggers,

 Winter weather and poor road conditions caused the NDOW to postpone trout plants originally scheduled for last week.  The agency plans to stock Rainbow Trout in each of the four Las Vegas area fishing ponds sometime this week.  Action has been slow, and anglers have found murky water conditions due to unsettled weather.  Scented baits, such as cheese and garlic baits should be productive in

Kayak and shore fishermen are reporting good fishing for striped bass. The fish are taking anchovies fished off the bottom. Live shad also will catch the fish. Anglers are finding both threadfin and gizzard shad outside of Boulder Harbor. Those fishing the Vegas Wash are finding stripers at depths beyond 70 feet. A few black bass reports are coming in from Callville Bay. Anglers are

Cold temperatures have given the reservoir a fresh coat of ice, making much of it available for ice fishing. For up-to-date ice conditions contact Echo Canyon State Park at 775-962-5103.  

Whether fishing from the shoreline or from boats, anglers are catching trout and striped bass below Davis Dam.  Small stripers weighing from 1 to 3 pounds are hitting on cut anchovies.  The best fishing is being found downstream through Casino Row to just above the Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area. Rainbow trout are biting on worms, PowerBait, and Mice Tails.

Anglers trolling with 8- to 9-inch swimbaits are catching stripers weighing between 5 and 8 pounds. Anglers fishing out of Willow Beach Marina are finding stripers in deep water along cliff faces. Reports have also been good for stripers above Davis Dam at the south end of the reservoir. Stripers in the 4- to 7-pound class are taking plastics and anchovies.  

Stocked Rainbow Trout remain active and are taking PowerBait, Power Eggs and mealworms at most of the ponds.  With the colder overnight temperatures the action should be better later in the morning and into the early afternoon hours.