Fishing Report

■ LAKE MEAD -- If you're not fishing, according to one lucky angler, you are missing some of the best fishing on Lake Mead in years. Shad can be found throughout the lower basin. Boulder Harbor is teeming with the bait fish, and they also can be found in the Vegas Bay area. Live shad and shad imitations are catching striped bass from Vegas Wash to Government Wash and 33-Hole. The shoreline from the Hemenway launch ramp to the disabled fishing pier also is giving up stripers. Nothing huge, but they are fat. The action is slow at Temple Bar. The Nevada Department of Wildlife is asking anglers who catch stripers with a red floy tag to release them as soon as possible. The fish carry sonic transmitters and are part of a study being conducted by NDOW biologists.

■ LAKE MOHAVE -- Fishing activity has slowed in the Cottonwood Cove area, but those making the trip are finding success for largemouth and smallmouth bass. Striper action has slowed significantly. Willow Beach will challenge even the most experienced fisherman, but some anglers continue to catch double-digit stripers. The fish tend to key in on stocked rainbow trout, so large lures like the AC Plug are a good choice. For trout, try PowerBait, salmon eggs or small lures and spinners.

■ LAUGHLIN -- Anglers are finding good action for rainbow trout along Casino Row. While stockers are providing much of the action, anglers are catching larger fish from the deep pools. According to the Arizona Game & Fish Department, one angler reeled in a 5-pound rainbow. Construction at Fishermen's Access limits access to the Nevada side of the Colorado River below the bridge.

■ LAS VEGAS URBAN PONDS -- Action for stocked rainbows has been good following the weekly fish plants by the NDOW. Fly patterns, spinners, worms and commercial trout baits are catching fish. Flies can be fished with a spinning rod. Tie the fly about 6 feet behind a clear bubble, and reel in at varying speeds until you determine what the fish like.

■ KIRCH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA -- Anglers will find open water on Dacey Reservoir. The other reservoirs are frozen over, but the ice still is too thin for fishing.

■ EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR -- The ice on this Lincoln County reservoir is about 7½ inches thick, and people are fishing. The NDOW reminds anglers always to double check conditions before venturing onto the ice.

■ ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR -- Ice conditions are unknown, but given the reservoir's proximity to Eagle Valley Reservoir, anglers likely will find thin ice.