Nevada fishing report, March 12, 2015

LAKE MEAD — Anglers have been pleased with the variety of fish taking their bait and lures this time of year as well the quality of fish taken. Catfish have continued to show up for those fishing the backs of coves, many using anchovies. While largemouth bass are still a little harder to come by, rumors are that Reaction Strike ghost shad crank baits are enticing a few of the fish hanging around drop-offs. Rat-L-Traps have been catching stripers in the Government Wash area. Anglers netting shad in Vegas Wash have been surprised to find tilapia ranging from 3 to 5 pounds in their castnets.

LAKE MOHAVE — Over the past week, anglers have found good fishing for smallmouth bass. Night crawlers and plastics have been working well on the shelves. The bite will continue to improve as the fish move up with the warming waters in the shallows. Good coves to work are those where NDOW and its partners have installed artificial fish habitat structures. Double digit striped bass have been showing up south of Willow Beach with anglers having success using imitation hatchery trout swimbaits.

LAUGHLIN — Fishing continues to improve along the river. Striped bass are showing more often, many averaging 2 pounds, but anglers are bringing in fish up to 6 pounds. Stripers and catfish are both taking anchovies. The Rotary Park area has been productive, as well as the area around Big Bend State Park.

URBAN PONDS — The NDOW seasonal trout stocking program has concluded for this season, but traditionally the catch rates usually improve during April and into May. Effective baits include PowerBait, Power Eggs and mealworms.

KIRCH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA — Fishing has been slow across the area, though anglers have been able to get one or two from the dike on Haymeadow while using PowerBait. The shoreline along the dikes on Cold Springs and Adams-McGill are covered with floating weed debris that is making fishing difficult. The upper ends of the reservoirs are closed.

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR — Anglers had a good time this past week with most taking home their share of rainbow trout. With the recent plant of 5,000 tiger trout fishermen caught their share of them as well. For bait fishermen, orange or rainbow PowerBait was the ticket while those throwing lures were doing well using ¼-ounce Kastmasters in silver or gold.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR — Planter rainbows have been hitting well on PowerBait in the usual rainbow or orange coloration as well as night crawlers. It’s still a little cool for crappie and largemouth bass action, but with rising water temperatures they should become active soon.