Lake Mead, Nevada Fishing Report

The fishing has been relatively slow lately out of Lake Mead, Nevada
Everybody is waiting for the catfish action to heat up, but it has surely been slow for a few weeks now. There is also much anticipation for the trout to starting coming out of the woodwork especially after the planting has taken place, but as well, this is slow to come right now. It is just going to take some more time before this stuff starts heating up.
Some of the locals are using cut anchovies for bait, or shrimp to catch the bass that have been hiding out down low lately. Some crocodile lures are also turning some decent numbers. There was one bass landed last week by a young kid which weighed in just under 8 pounds!! That was rather impressive.

Q: I remember viewing some posts a while back so I thought it would be appropriate to ask if anyone knew of any shore spots here? I’ve lived in Vegas the past 6 mos. and have yet to check it out. Man I miss fishing SD, but if I can get on some bucketmouths I’ll be happy for a bit. I’m over the cement ponds here that stock 7-10 in. trout. MGM may be filing Ch.11 soon which means I’ll lose my job, but at least I can move back home and fish my familiar “ponds”. Until then, Lake Mead is my only option. Thanks for your help.

A: John they are still planting trout at Mead. www.ndow.org will tell you where and when and give you some current info on fishing for Bass, Catfish and Stripers. In the past I have had good sucess fishing from the shore near Echo Bay & Overton Marinas for Stripers and Catfish. Also Willow Beach from shore isn’t bad for Trout but you really need a boat to go for the big Stripers the area is known for.

I’d say that between the Sugoi Splash topwater popper and the soft plastic Senko, you should be all set for some fun Sep/Oct action in the shallows there at Mead. The two topwater patterns that have served me well there are both shad-related. Early mornings I like to “milk run” the cuts in the Big Gyps and Little Gyps area, throwing either the Splash or a buzzbait, and covering a lot of water. BUT, and here’s the payday, you need to have a follow-up bait ready at ALL times, because those early morning cruisers will often swipe at, and miss, the buzzbait or Splash. If you can get that Senko in to the area immediately (rigged weightless, Tex-posed) it’s almost a guaranteed hook-up.

Through the sun and heat of the day, I often retraced the morning’s steps in cuts that have flooded grass beds – it’s a quick-paced deal, the bass will cruise into those cuts (looking for shad) at various times through the day, and you should, too! But, if you don’t get some activity in 10-20 minutes, move to the next cut. You need to move until you’re at the right place, at the right time. Keep throwing that Splash, with the follow-up at the ready.

When the sun’s up and blazing, the bass will often park in the middle of the heaviest brush in the back of those cuts – like the ones in the T-Bar area, Monkey Box, etc. That’s a great time to rig up with really heavy tackle and pitch that big shad-patterned Senko OVER the brush, onto the bank (not to spook the fish) and then twitch it into the shallow, open water behind the brushline, or right into the midst of the
heaviest cover.

One last tip – if the midday shallow water bite just won’t produce for you, try C-rigging that #177 Senko on long-running points and submerged ridges at 25-40 feet deep – same hold true for Hula Grubs also. And, whatever you do, DO NOT dip 1/2″ of the tail of that #177 Senko in chartreuse dye – you’re likely to GET YOUR ARM BROKE!”

How to Catch Fish in Las Vegas

Las Vegas Fishing:
Here is a report on some other Las Vegas Areas: .

Sept 23rd:
LAKE MEAD: Stripers fair over much of the lake, with Hemenway, Boulder Bay, Gypsum Wash, the 33 Hole, and dam all producing fish on cut anchovies or live shad, but the bite has been off a little over the past few days. Night fishing under lights as been the best bet. Fair catfish action reported on anchovies or shrimp. The largemouth bass action is fair off the points, with some surface action early in the mornings.

June 7 FISHING REPORT

LAKE MEAD
— Boating and shore anglers have been catching stripers at Boulder Beach using anchovies and live shad. Fishing for stripers in the Vegas Arm has been good for anglers using top-water lures. Anglers have reported success in the upper basins for largemouth and smallmouth bass. The best time for stripers has been in the morning before the winds come or late afternoon.

LAKE MOHAVE
— Fishing out of Cottonwood Cove has become fair to poor, with many anglers coming home skunked. There are reports of stripers and catfish taking anchovies, but those are spotty. Consider throwing jigs and worms into cover for largemouth and smallmouth bass. Near Willow Beach, trout fishing has slowed, though morning hours after trout plants are generally a good time to fish. Trout have been hitting on PowerBait, spinners, jigs and Super Dupers. Striper and largemouth bass fishing continues to be slow.

LAS VEGAS URBAN PONDS
— For the recent plants of catfish, night crawlers, chicken liver and stink baits fished on the bottom should produce fish. Sunfish and bass fishing should be good throughout the summer.

KIRCH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
— Persistent anglers are catching largemouth bass out of weeds. One angler recently netted an 8-pound largemouth.

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR
— Weeds have become a nuisance for those fishing off the bottom. The technique is to use a long leader attached to a bobber to sink just above the weeds. Successful baits have been PowerBait, worms, lures and flies.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR
— PowerBait, worms, lures and flies suspended or retrieved above the weeds are baits of choice for rainbow trout. Multicolored buggers are producing good-sized crappie.

Guy Gets a Gator at Lake Las Vegas??????

Fisherman reels in alligator at Las Vegas lake Associated Press
Posted: 07/07/2009 11:38:26 AM PDT
LAS VEGAS Ñ Animal control officials say a man angling for catfish at a Sunset Park lake instead reeled in a 3 1/2-foot-long alligator. The healthy juvenile reptile was euthanized, and Clark County Animal Control Supervisor Dave March says it was probably released recently into the man-made lake. March says it couldn’t have gone unnoticed for long. The fisherman secured the alligator with fishing line until authorities arrived. Doug Nielsen, a Nevada Wildlife Department spokesman, says the alligator’s appearance at the lake fits a pattern. Nielsen says people may go on vacation, see a small alligator and bring it back as a pet. But the animal can get big and aggressive Ñ that’s when it ends up in local waters. Importing and owning alligators is illegal in Nevada. ÑÑÑ
Information from: Las Vegas Sun Las Vegas Fish Report

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An overview of some of the Las Vegas area’s best fishing spots.

LAKE MOHAVE — One lucky angler reportedly reeled in a 28-pound striped bass while trolling with whole anchovies near Owl’s Point. Trolling with anchovies at depths of 30 to 50 feet has been producing stripers, and catfish have been taking baits fished on the bottom.

The Dec. 1 trout plant was postponed because of transportation issues, but NDOW should deliver trout at Placer, Powerline and Cottonwood coves no later than today. The federal hatchery at Willow Beach should plant trout in that area Friday.

URBAN PONDS — Success for trout has diminished between stocking sessions.

Regardless of the technique used, anglers caught few fish over the holiday weekend. Leaving your bait and flies still, while looking for subtle takes, has been most productive.

NDOW planted trout Tuesday at Floyd Lamb Park, Lorenzi Park, Sunset Park, Veterans Memorial Park in Boulder City and Hafen Park in Mesquite.

KIRCH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA — Road conditions are still good, but ice forming on the reservoirs has restricted fishermen to only a few areas with open water.

Some waterfowl hunters have been breaking up the ice while launching boats, but this is becoming more difficult. However, with plenty of waterfowl, hunters have been hunting in the meadow portions of the reservoirs.

It is recommended to call the management area at (775) 238-0240 before visiting.

• EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR — Ice is forming in the northern part of the reservoir, but skim ice around the southern portion is melting by midday, making fishing off the dam or dock a good choice.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR — There is no ice on Echo, with good water flow coming from the stream above the reservoir.

Action for rainbows continues to be good, though chilly weather is keeping anglers away.

Although Las Vegas, Nevada is known worldwide as a gambling and entertainment mecca, Vegas is also a great base for the fishermen in the family.

The city is located within an easy day trip’s drive of Lake Mead, the largest lake in the United States with more than 110,00 surface acres. Lake Mead is just one of a number of fishing opportunities to be found in and around the city of Las Vegas, Nevada. Pack your lucky shoes along with your favorite tackle to enjoy everything found in the state. If you’ve gambled enough to suit or if you prefer open water to some of the Vegas shows, head out for angler’s paradise. Created from the Colorado River and Hoover Dam, Lake Mead stretches for miles. Home to some of the nation’s top sport fishing, Lake Mead teems with fish. Species include large mouth and striped bass, rainbow trout, channel catfish, crappie, and bluegill. All are favored by fishermen – and women. Even some carp are often caught in this major, mega sized lake. The entire Lake Mead National Recreation Area is 1.5 million acres – more than the entire state of Rhode Island! Plus, just thirty-five miles away from the neon lit Vegas Strip, Lake Mead attracts fishermen as well as sailors.

There is a $5 per vehicle fee for each private vehicle entering the recreation area. With shoreline and easy boat access, Lake Mead is the most popular Vegas area fishing spot but there are others. Cruises aboard a paddle wheeler on the lake are a way for mom and the kids to occupy their time while dad wets a line. Nearby Lake Mohave is another favorite of fishermen. Extending 67 miles from Hoover Dam to Davis Dam, Mohave has everything from boat launch ramps, concessions, and boat rentals to overnight accommodations. Urban ponds within the city of Las Vegas are convenient for a quick fishing expedition without leaving the bright lights and casinos behind. Other urban ponds – an oasis of nature within a city setting – can be found at Boulder City and Mesquite. Bring your rod and reel with your tackle box to cast a line and relax before returning to the gaming tables. Up at the Eagle Valley reservoir, both rainbow and brown trout are caught by anglers. The Trail Canyon Reservoir at Chiatovitch Creek northwest of Vegas is another noted spot where the fish are often biting. Don’t miss the Echo Canyon Reservoir or the untamed Colorado River.

Fishing licenses are required. An out of state permit for one year for visitors 16 and older is $69.00. Junior fishermen can get a year long license for $21.00. One day passes are just $18.00 and you can add another day for just $7 more. If you’re after trout, be sure to purchase a trout stamp for $10.00 and if you’re fishing along the Colorado River, you’ll need a special use stamp for $3.00. For additional information about fishing opportunities, check with the Nevada Division of Wildlife at nevadadivisionofwildlife.org.

Author: Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy About Author: Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy is a freelance writer who has visited Las Vegas as well as area lakes/rivers.

Here is a story below from a fellow named Brent:
It is a rare sight to travel past the fishing pond at Veterans Memorial Park and not find someone along the shore hoping to get a bite.

The lake is stocked with everything from a trout, catfish, blue gill and bass.

Boulder City resident Tony Haller and Las Vegan Rick Campbell are two of the regulars at the pond and have become fishing buddies.

“It’s a very clean pond with nice people here. It’s well kept and they do a great job of stocking it,” Haller said.

Campbell said he found the pond by accident. He was in Boulder City and driving on Buchanan Boulevard when he noticed some people fishing.

“I always keep my gear with me, so I pulled into the parking lot and started fishing,” he said. “I caught two that day.”

The job of stocking the pond falls to the Nevada Department of Wildlife, which stocks the pond twice a week between November and March, and once a month between April and October.

Each restocking brings in approximately 1,200 fish, or 2,300 pounds. The trout are brought from the Mason Valley hatchery in Northern Nevada because the Las Vegas Hatchery is closed because of the quagga mussel infestation.

Blaine Merrell, a game warden for the wildlife department, said the department carefully measures each stocking.

“The one thing you don’t want is to overpopulate the pond with too many fish. We try and keep it a healthy aquatic system,” he said.

The pond was constructed in 2001 as a joint project between Boulder City and the wildlife department. It was part of the master plan for Veterans Memorial Park, which also included two soccer fields, four baseball fields and the model boat pond. The pond is approximately 3.5 acres in size with a maximum depth of 15 feet.

“Veterans Memorial Park is the flagship of our parks system. A lot of people come here, and we’re quite proud of what we provide,” Hall said.

A Nevada fishing license is required to fish at the pond and there is a limit of three fish per day.

The pond is taken care of by the city’s Public Works department, which checks the pumps on a daily basis and uses a fish-friendly dye to prevent algae growth, Parks and Recreation director Roger Hall said.

Hall said the pond is a minimal cost to the city and doesn’t foresee any changes taking place.

“The majority of the infrastructure is in place, so it’s just the cost of running the pumps, and the water cost and occasional maintenance,” Hall said. “Besides, a lot of people would be mad if we got rid of it.”

That’s a relief to the fishermen like Campbell and Haller.

“It doesn’t matter if we catch anything or not. You can’t beat coming out here and relaxing and fishing,” Campbell said.

Brent Hinckley