Southern Nevada Fish Reports

Anglers are having success in various areas around the lake, most notably coves in Vegas Wash and around Echo Bay. Netting shad has been a fairly easy task for those working the mouth of Las Vegas Bay. Some gizzard shad are topping the one-pound mark and providing a source of durable cut bait. Anglers report success for spawning largemouth bass near submerged brush and smallmouth

Trout are taking a variety of PowerBaits. Many anglers are catching the fish with night crawlers fished off of points in the Big Bend area. Seasonal trout plants are slated to end next month. Anglers are reporting slow striper bites along this stretch of the river.  

Reports have been light from the main body of the lake. Smallmouth and largemouth bass are in pre-spawn and can be found in coves, around shelves and near drop offs. For anglers fishing out of Willow Beach, striper action continues to improve. Trout imitations, such as the AC Plug and other swimbaits, have worked well for stripers. Stocked rainbows will take night crawlers, PowerBait, spinners

Despite the wide variety of baits anglers are using, rainbow trout have been hesitant to take the hook. As the waters continue to warm, expect less activity from the trout. Bluegill and catfish will become increasingly active and more willing to respond as temperatures rise.

Smallmouth and largemouth bass are moving up in preparation for the spawn. In the Overton Arm, anglers are catching the fish with crankbaits and Rat-L-Traps in coves and near drop-offs. Murky water seems to be the key. Anglers also are using a variety of plastic worms and swimbaits in greens and sliver colors for black bass. Catfish are starting to bite on anchovies fished at

Action is improving for striped bass and catfish. Most catfish are averaging 2 to 3 pounds while stripers are a in the 1- to 2-pound ranges. Schooling stripers are showing their talent for bait stealing. If they are getting the better of you, try switching to a smaller hook size to increase the odds of getting a hook up. Rainbow trout are biting on mice

Fishing continues to improve. Smallmouth and largemouth bass are being caught near submerged brush at the edges of coves, and it appears that some fish already are exhibiting some pre-spawn behavior. Anchovies and night crawlers are a good bet for catfish. White Rooster Tails are bringing in rainbow trout below Willow Beach for shoreline anglers as well as boaters.    

Student anglers from Cozine Elementary School found good fishing at Floyd Lamb Park following the recent trout plant by the Nevada Department of Wildlife. The kids caught and released around 20 fish. They caught the fish with Power Eggs in rainbow and chartreuse with garlic flavor. The kids used size 10 hooks with sliding egg sinkers and fished off the bottom.  

Black bass action is picking up. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass are taking silver colored swimbaits and soft plastic baits in watermelon or pumpkin.  Crankbaits and shad imitations may be the ticket for striped bass. While boat anglers are dominating the catch, shoreline anglers have been doing well in the Overton Arm and Government Wash

If you are looking for a place to enjoy good fishing and small crowds, this lake is the place. Rainbow trout have been very active and are taking a variety of baits, such as PowerBait in orange, green or rainbow colorations. The fish also are taking small spinning lures, and fly-fishers are doing well with Woolly Buggers and small nymph patterns

Night crawlers and plastic baits have been working well for smallmouth bass. This bite will continue to improve as the fish move up in the shallows.  Look for bass hanging around artificial habitat structures. Double digit striped bass have been showing up south of Willow Beach with anglers having success using trout imitations.  

Trout action should pick up and continue to improve through April as the water and daytime temperatures rise. Think small when it comes to tackle selection and the size of your bait when fishing for trout. If practicing catch-and-release, it’s best to avoid treble hooks altogether. Single barbless hooks are best. The last trout plant of the season for most of the urban fishing ponds

Catfish are taking anchovies in the backs of coves. Stink baits, night crawlers and chicken livers will also catch the fish. Largemouth bass are still a little harder to come by, but fishing should pick up when water temperatures increase. Ghost shad crank baits are rumored to be taking a few fish hanging around drop-offs. In the area of Government Wash, Rat-L-Traps have been producing