Limited shoreline access shouldn’t deter anglers

I recently have received inquiries from readers who would like to know more about the shoreline fishing opportunities at Lake Mead.

While I would like to respond with a lengthy list of fishing destinations for shore anglers, such a list doesn't exist because shoreline access is limited to only a handful of access points. If you are willing to walk, however, those access points can open up other opportunities to more isolated areas.

Perhaps the easiest approach to answering these inquiries is to start at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area fee station below Boulder City and then move north with the descriptions of various locations.

After passing through the fee station, the first right will take you to the Hemenway area and Las Vegas Boat Harbor. Though you cannot fish in the harbor, you can fish on the far right of the marina. Just make sure you are outside of the tires because it is illegal to fish in the marina. Until the marina was moved here from Las Vegas Bay a few years ago, this area was known for producing fish as Horsepower Cove.

To the north of the launch ramp is Hemenway Fishing Point. You can fish from here to the southern boundary of the swim beach, but as summer boating traffic picks up, fishing from the shoreline can be a challenge even though it's a wakeless speed zone. This is a popular area for anglers, especially in the winter months, because it is close to the Las Vegas Valley and easily accessible. A handicap-accessible fishing pier and parking close to the water's edge also are available.

Traveling north from Hemenway on Lakeshore Drive, the next locations are Boulder Harbor, former home to Lake Mead Marina, and Saddle Cove at B-5 Road. Both areas currently are closed but worth keeping on your radar for fishing when they reopen.

About three miles north of B-5 Road and just south of the old Las Vegas Bay Marina site is an overlook called 33-Hole. This overlook offers three parking areas, with the best access to water from the center and right forks. Be prepared for a good hike to and from the water's edge, but this is a good place for striped bass and catfish. At times you can catch largemouth and smallmouth bass from the coves.

Sandwiched in between 33-Hole and B-5 Road are a pair of lesser known overlooks that provide a place to park and access to the shoreline. But, with the low water level, be prepared for a good walk and to carry plenty of water.

If you follow Lakeshore Drive clear around, it eventually will tie in with Lake Mead Parkway near another fee station where the road comes into the recreation area from Henderson. Leading generally north from the fee station is Northshore Road, which winds north to Callville Bay, Echo Bay and Moapa Valley.

Next week, we'll take a look at access points along Northshore Road.

■ TAGGED FISH EVENT -- Anglers hoping to turn a few dollars into $50,000 can give their luck a try Saturday and Sunday at the annual Tagged Fish Event at Eagle Valley and Echo Canyon reservoirs in Lincoln County. Registration is $30 per angler and must be completed at Eagle Valley Resort in the town of Ursine, east of Pioche.

Anglers will try to catch one tagged fish to win the prize money.

For more information, call the resort at 775-962-5293 or go to www.eaglevalleynv.com.

■ BEAR HUNT -- Sportsmen interested in applying for the first bear hunt in Nevada's history have until 5 p.m. May 13 to apply online at www.huntnevada.com. No paper applications will be accepted, and results of the draw will be made on or before June 13.

Freelance writer Doug Nielsen is a conservation educator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife. His "In the Outdoors" column, published Thursday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NDOW. Any opinions he states in his column are his own. He can be reached at intheoutdoorslv@gmail.com.