Southern Nevada Fish Reports

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.  

 Thin ice now covers most of the reservoir and is unsafe to walk on.  Holes can be drilled off the fishing dock to access the fish.  For current ice conditions contact Spring Valley State Park at 775-962-5102.  

Anglers are finding good fishing for both striped bass and stocked rainbow trout.  PowerBait in orange or rainbow colors are a good choice for trout.  A variety of spinners also are catching trout. Striped bass are biting anchovies from Casino Row to Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area.

Catfish are hitting on anchovies out of Katherine Landing.  Striped Bass are most active at Willow Beach and near Davis Dam on the south end of the reservoir.  Stripers in the 1 to 3-pound stripers are taking anchovies, and some lucky anglers are bringing in fish as large as 10 pounds on trout-pattern swimbaits.     

 With the Nevada Department of Wildlife annual rainbow trout stocking program anglers are finding good action at the local urban ponds. Spinning lures, small spoons and flies will catch the fish.  If that’s a little more work than you like, the fish will also take PowerBait, Power Eggs or mealworms. You can also try a combo meal with a chunk of night crawler and a

Fishing action at Lake Mead is slowing down as nighttime temperatures drop into the low 40s, but those who brave the chilly mornings are still catching Striped Bass.  Anglers are having good luck with shad and trout imitation lures along.  Live shad also are catching the line sides and can be found along the shorelines in Las Vegas Bay.  Catfish are hanging close to shore