FISHING REPORT

• LAKE MEAD -- Shad have moved closer to shore in recent days. Some anglers have netted them in the Las Vegas Wash area. The fish are not always found in shallow water, but it's a start.

Where shad are found, striped bass are sure to follow. Some anglers have found success for stripers in the Boulder Beach area.

• LAKE MOHAVE -- The closure at Cottonwood Cove was lifted by the National Park Service last week after the area's water system was repaired and deemed safe.

Largemouth bass anglers have caught fish in coves near Cottonwood. One angler reportedly reeled in a 7-pound bucket-mouth while fishing in the area last weekend. Catfish have taken prepared baits.

Fishing has picked up considerably at Willow Beach, though the catching has been a little slow. Those bringing in rainbow trout are doing so with peach-colored PowerBait, PowerWorms, spinners and prism shad.

Most striper anglers are fishing from Willow Beach downstream to Bighorn Cove, but they are having little success.

• LAS VEGAS URBAN PONDS -- Anglers have had success for stocked catfish at the valley's ponds. One lucky fisherman put a 14-pounder on his stringer last weekend. Night crawlers, chicken livers and stink baits are generally the bait of choice, but hot dogs have topped the list in recent days.

Trout are still biting at Floyd Lamb and Veterans Memorial parks.

• LAUGHLIN -- Anglers are still catching trout on PowerBait along Casino Row. The river water is cold enough that the daytime heat isn't affecting fish the same way it does in other waters.

While some are complaining that fishing for striped bass is slow, others are catching the fish on whole and cut anchovies.

• EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR -- Windy conditions have hampered fishermen and held campers to a minimum. Some diehards have caught newly planted rainbow trout, as well as some carry-overs from last year. Green PowerBait and worms have been working.

• ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR -- Fishing action has been light because of recent high winds. PowerBait and worms should catch rainbow trout.

Anglers have caught a few largemouth bass and crappie, but it's still a little early in the season for any significant activity.

• KIRCH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA -- The area has seen a significant increase in activity. Fishing is good, with anglers catching carry-overs from fall rainbow trout plants, as well as spring planters. A few largemouth bass also have been picked up.

• ELY AREA -- Comins Lake, Cave Lake and Illipah Reservoir are ice-free.

Pike fishing at Comins has been hit and miss, but anglers have caught some large trout as the fish cruise the shoreline in an attempt to spawn.

Cave Lake is giving up stocked rainbows. Worms, PowerBait and other traditional trout baits have been effective.

Illipah has yet to have much success, but it holds some nice rainbow trout that should start biting when the water temperature rises a few more degrees.