Outdoor Briefs

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Fishing a low-cost recreation option for families

With high gasoline prices and other economic hardships taking their toll on household budgets, many families are changing their vacation plans and opting for "staycations" rather than a lengthy road trip. Families looking to fill their staycation with outdoor activities will find fishing to be an affordable alternative to the sometimes pricey activities available in town, and they won't have to travel very far.

"Fishing really is a good recreation buy. It's something an adult resident of Nevada can do for about 10 cents a day," said Ivy Santee, angler education coordinator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife. "When you consider the liberal catch limits like those we have on Lake Mead and Lake Mohave, it's also a good way to supplement the grocery budget."

Shore anglers will find good fishing from late spring through early summer as threadfin shad move into coves to spawn, especially in areas of the Boulder Basin. Striped bass follow the shad into shallower waters, so anglers won't need a boat to reach them.

At Lakes Mead and Mohave, there is no limit on striped bass less than 20 inches in total length. For fish 20-inches in length or longer, the limit is 20. Both lakes also offer 25-fish limits on catfish and the chance to reel in a few bluegill and green sunfish as well.

Other fishing opportunities can be found throughout the Silver State. Within a three-hour drive of Las Vegas, families will find good fishing at Eagle Valley and Echo Canyon reservoirs near Pioche and at the Kirch Wildlife Management Area north of Alamo. Eagle Valley and Echo Canyon are located within the Spring Valley and Echo Canyon state parks, so developed camping facilities are available close by. At the Kirch WMA, camping is primitive.

In the valley, anglers can take advantage of fishing opportunities at four local parks -- Floyd Lamb Park, Lorenzi Park, Sunset Park and Veterans Memorial Park in Boulder City. NDOW plants catfish on a monthly basis in the park ponds from April to about October each year. The agency plants rainbow trout in the cooler months. The limit at the urban ponds is three fish, regardless of species.

A limit is the total number of fish, or the total number of a particular fish species, an angler can have in his possession regardless of where the fish are stored.

In Nevada, anglers can possess no more than one limit.

In general, anglers who are 12 years of age or older are required to have a valid Nevada fishing license whenever they are fishing Silver State waters. The one exception is when they are fishing interstate waters such as those of Lake Mead, Lake Mohave and the Colorado River, where a license is not needed until an angler is 14 years old. At Lake Tahoe and Topaz Lake, a license is not required until an angler is 16 years of age.

For residents, the price of an annual junior or senior license is $13. For an adult, ages 16 to 64, the price is $29.

A $10 trout stamp is required whenever an angler takes or possesses trout. For the price of an annual adult fishing license and trout stamp, a resident angler can fish Nevada for about 10 cents per day. For nonresidents, the cost of an annual Nevada fishing license is $69 for an adult and $21 for juniors (12 through 15 years). Short-term licenses also are available.

More information about fishing in Nevada can be found online at www.ndow.org.