Lake Mead

The National Park Service has been working to improve conditions at South Cove launch ramp, and latest report is that 4x4 is not needed to launch/retrieve boats. Be sure to check out launch ramp area prior to launching. Be careful boating because of low water level, many new islands and near surface rocks have appeared. The largemouth bass bite is slowing with the cold weather. Night crawlers were the bait for the channel catfish. The striper bite is steady on Lake Mead. Fishing the boils with top water baits is probably your best type of lure. Cut anchovies are still the bait of choice for stripers when anchored at night.

Check the moon phases before you go –the last new moon was January 27th. The next new moon will be February 26th. Dark nights work best when fishing under light. Fishing for stripers in 40 plus feet of water will normally find the larger fish. If they are not taking the anchovies try lures and see if you can get them to bite. If you can locate the shad, the stripers are not far behind. Trolling usually works best in areas where shad are found and best done in the early mornings and evenings.

The current elevation is 1087 feet above msl. The National Park Service has been working to improve conditions at South Cove launch ramp, and latest report is that 4x4 is not needed to launch/retrieve boats. Be sure to check out launch ramp area prior to launching. Be careful boating because of low water level, many new islands and near surface rocks have appeared. The largemouth bass bite is slowing with the cold weather. Night crawlers were the bait for the channel catfish. The striper bite is steady on Lake Mead. Fishing the boils with top water baits is probably your best type of lure. Cut anchovies are still the bait of choice for stripers when anchored at night. Check the moon phases before you go –the last new moon was Jan. 27.

The next new moon will be Feb. 26. Dark nights work best when fishing under light. Fishing for stripers in 40 plus feet of water will normally find the larger fish. If they are not taking the anchovies try lures and see if you can get them to bite. If you can locate the shad, the stripers are not far behind. Trolling usually works best in areas where shad are found and best done in the early mornings and evenings.

The current elevation is 1085 feet above msl. The National Park Service has been working to improve conditions at South Cove launch ramp, but 4x4 vehicles are recommended for launching/retrieving boats. Be sure to check out launch ramp area prior to launching. Be careful boating because of low water level, many new islands and near surface rocks have appeared. The largemouth bass bite is slowing with the cold weather. Night crawlers were the bait for the channel catfish. The striper bite is steady on Lake Mead. Fishing the boils with top water baits is probably your best type of lure. Cut anchovies are still the bait of choice for stripers when anchored at night. Check the moon phases before you go –the last new moon was December 28th. The next new moon will be January 27th. Dark nights work best when fishing under light. Fishing for stripers in 40 plus feet of water will normally find the larger fish. If they are not taking the anchovies try lures and see if you can get them to bite. If you can locate the shad, the stripers are not far behind. Trolling usually works best in areas where shad are found and best done in the early mornings and evenings.

At Lake Mead and Lake Mohave, fish the shallow weed beds for largemouth bass and the shelves for smallmouth bass. Striped bass are usually easy to find on Mead but can be more difficult on Mohave. Barbara caught her three stripers from shore on Lake Mohave at the Telephone Cove area using anchovies. The Colorado River was stocked with rainbow trout on Monday at Davis Camp, Community Park and Rotary Park. Fishing is always great after the stockings. Try small spinners if the PowerBait isn’t working. Nightcrawlers are an excellent choice because of the wide range of fish that take them. ”

Anglers have found some action for black bass in the Callville Bay area. Striped bass can be taken with cut anchovies though live shad are generally the most productive bait for still fishing. Watch for the birds, they will let you know where to look for baitfish and stripers. Be prepared to fish deep during the daytime hours.