Southern Nevada Fish Reports

 Stripers are hiding in the brush along shelves in coves of the Boulder Basin.  Government Wash has been good for threadfin and gizzard shad, the primary forage fish in the reservoir.  Catfish have been active and biting on anchovies fished along shelves.  Action for black bass and sunfish has been slow.  However, there are reports that a kayaker fishing near the bottom of the Overton

Action has been a little slow, but one lucky angler caught rainbow trout with a crappie jig that had a chartreuse and white tail. Ice along the dam was 3- to 4-inches thick. For up-to-date ice conditions contact Echo Canyon State Park at 775-962-5103.  

One lucky angler caught a 7-pound striper while throwing a swimbait from his kayak.  Shad patterns are working best for striped bass.  Rainbow trout plants have been put on hold until the Willow Beach Fish Hatchery reopens. The trout are biting on night crawlers and PowerBait. Anglers should keep an eye on the weather and pay attention to wind advisories.  

The few reports we have gotten from Lake Mohave are saying stripers and trout are biting about 40 feet from shore.  Stripers are hitting swimbaits along shorelines with drop offs.  The Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery will not be releasing trout until the federal government reopens.  

The Nevada Department of Wildlife planted rainbow trout just after the New Year at the Beatty pond, Hafen Park in Mesquite, and at the Floyd Lamb and Lorenzi Park ponds.  If the weather holds, Sunset Park and Veterans Memorial Park are expected to receive a load of rainbows sometime this week.  Anglers have been catching the fish with PowerBait or small spinning lures.  

The water level is down nearly a foot from this time last year but is expected to increase gradually over the next month or so.  Whether fishing from the shore or from a boat, be prepared to make adjustments in your technique as that change occurs.  Stripers are biting on live shad as well as shad imitations.  Look for shad in the Government Wash and

Submerged vegetation along the shoreline has made fishing difficult in some places.  Anglers are still catching catfish in the coves using anchovies, though some have found success with homemade stink baits.  Striper action has slowed on much of the lake.  Rainbow trout action is good following trout plants below Willow Beach.  

Striper fishing is good for those anglers willing to brave chilly temperatures in the early mornings and at dusk.  If you are looking for live bait, Vegas Wash is the place to net some shad.  The stretch from Boulder Harbor to the Hemenway fishing pier has been fishing well.  Look for areas where birds are circling and diving, this can be an indicator of where

Ice conditions remained unsafe this past week, with some areas opening up during the day, and refreezing overnight.  Fishing access is available by drilling holes in front of the fishing dock but stay on the dock to fish. The trout have been taking Powerbait in the usual orange or green colorations and nightcrawlers. For up to date ice conditions contact the park at 775-962-5102.  

Anchovies have proven productive for catfish and stripers.  Swim bait and Rat-L-trap lures are fooling stripers from Davis Dam to Casino Row.  PowerBait and spinners are working best for the stocked rainbow trout in the same areas.  

 Striper action is good. Reports of fish as large as 10 pounds are coming from anglers fishing around Cottonwood Marina, but the fish are biting up and down the reservoir as well. Shore fishing is good in the coves. Catfish have been biting for shore fishers in coves with drop-offs.  

Rainbow trout were planted last week into Floyd Lamb, Sunset, Veteran’s Memorial and Hafen Park ponds.  Trout will not be planted this week, but the hatchery expects to resume stocking the ponds the week of Christmas.

Striper fishing has been good on Lake Mead in the Overton Arm and Las Vegas Wash areas. The fish have been biting on anchovies and live shad. There are reports of fisherman with catches averaging five or more stripers throughout Boulder Basin. Anglers continue to catch black bass on drop shot rigs in deeper waters at the south end of the Overton Arm.

Anglers are finding the best fishing from boats.  Pencil poppers and Rat-L-Traps in silver and blue are catching the attention of striped bass holding in deeper water.  If fishing from shore, you may want to find a cove with a drop off.  Smallmouth bass are hanging out in coves between Cottonwood Cove and Telephone Cove while catfish have been found in grass beds not far

The Nevada Department of Wildlife planted rainbow trout in the ponds at Floyd Lamb, Lorenzi, Veterans Memorial and Sunset Parks.  Hafen Park in Mesquite was added to the schedule for this week.  The fish are taking PowerBait, Power Eggs, night crawlers and mealworms, along with small spinning lures and spoons.  

Anglers are finding good fishing for striped bass.  Boaters are finding the best success with gizzard and threadfin shad.  Fish weighing as much as 13 pounds have been caught in 70 feet of water. Shore fishing is good for 1- to 3-pound stripers and catfish.  Anchovies are catching the fish, which are hanging out in coves and about 10-25 feet of water.