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Spring/Summer 2004
At the beginning of each season, NDOW fisheries biologists make a fishing forecast, or a general prediction of what is to come. To view more current reports of fishing conditions, please view our fishing report section.
SPECIAL NOTE:
Lake Mead Hatchery is undergoing a much-needed refurbishment project and is currently closed. Rainbow trout eggs are scheduled to arrive at the hatchery in December and it will be about a year before the fish produced from those eggs are large enough to be planted. Current plans call for the hatchery refurbishment to be completed in May 2005. Approximately 84,000 rainbow trout will be stocked in reservoirs and streams in the Southern Region this spring and summer. The fish will come from NDOW hatcheries in other regions of the state. Stocking information that is updated weekly can be obtained by calling the Lake Mead Hatchery at (702) 486-6738.
Lake Mead
Lake Mead is a popular fishing area in southern Nevada.Fishing should be very good, if not downright excellent, for striped bass and channel catfish through summer, despite the lake’s record low water level. Although fishing should be fair for largemouth bass, this fish has been adversely affected by the dropping water level.
Jon Sjoberg, NDOW supervising fisheries biologist, said 2002 was an incredible year for striped bass fishing and 2003 was a very good year. He predicts that anglers will see a continuation of this good action through the summer months.A key indicator to the striper fishing is the spawn of threadfin shad that occurs from spring through midsummer. These small fish are the primary food source for stripers and other game fish. Sjoberg said that good hatches of shad have been seen from 2001 through 2003, hence the good fishing for stripers. There is no way to tell at this time what the shad spawn will be like in 2004, but NDOW biologists will be closely monitoring it for the next few months.
In spring, the boater has the advantage over the shore angler because stripers are in open, deep water. This puts them well beyond the casting distance of shore anglers. At this time of year, boaters drift or troll with natural baits such as frozen anchovies, sardines or shad. They will also use downriggers to troll their lures at depth.
Most years the shad begin heading toward shallow water by mid to late summer and it is then that they are vulnerable to those who are angling from shore. Still fishing with cut anchovies or casting lures that imitate shad will catch the fish.
The declining water level has severely impacted largemouth bass because it has left very little cover for the fish. Even though bass are spawning each spring, their young are not surviving because they cannot hide from predators.Green sunfish and bluegill are also suffering from a lack of escape cover due to the lake’s dropping water level. The lack of cover makes them vulnerable to predators such as largemouth and striped bass.
Channel catfish are not as severely impacted as some game fish by the dropping water level. In fact, the average size of catfish that were caught last year was larger than in recent years. Look for the fishing to be good in Las Vegas Bay and the Muddy River area of the Overton Arm.
Lake Mohave
There is a fairly positive outlook for anglers who will be trying their luck in the coming months at the lake, which is located in the extreme southern end of the state. This is because the water level has been relatively stable and anglers should find good fishing for striped bass, including fairly large numbers of fish that are around a pound. Boaters should have good success by drifting baits such as anchovies and squid.The arrival of spring again produced good fishing for largemouth bass as anglers were catching the fish during their annual spawn. Fishing traditionally continues to be good until mid May when the fish complete their spawn and move away from their nests.
Fair action for channel catfish is typically found at the lake with some of the better success coming from Aztec Wash. Look for this type of fishing to continue in the coming months.
Eagle Valley Reservoir
Located east of Pioche in Spring Valley State Park, this is a popular family getaway from spring right through the summer months. This is because the trout fishing is consistently good, the camping facilities are first-class and the daytime temperatures pleasant.In recent years, the Nevada Department of Wildlife has heavily stocked the lake with rainbow trout from early spring through Memorial Day, which made for remarkable fishing success. This year, the agency plans to stock 35,000 rainbow trout in the lake during this period.
Most anglers like to fish for the rainbow trout with baits such as PowerBait, salmon eggs and live worms, as these are all good choices. Flies and small spinners will catch the fish as well, along with the possibility of connecting with a brown trout.
Thick aquatic weed growth can be a problem in the lake by mid to late summer, so the best time for fishing is from early May until mid July. The action again picks up in October.
The lake is definitely worth visiting from spring through mid summer. Bring the whole family.
Echo Canyon Reservoir
Heading into spring the lake’s water level was low and this trend may continue through spring and summer depending on rainfall. Despite the water level, rainbow trout fishing is expected to be very good through the spring and early summer months thanks to plants conducted by the Department of Wildlife. Plans currently call for 11,000 rainbows to be planted this spring.The fishing for white crappie traditionally heats up beginning in mid to late May and should continue through June. Try small crappie jigs or flies to catch the scrappy little fish.
There are always good numbers of largemouth bass in the lake, although the vast majority are fish that weigh in ounces, not pounds. Even so, there are larger fish in the lake and determined anglers can catch them.
The lake is located in Echo Canyon State Park, east of Pioche. An excellent campground is found in the park.
Wayne E. Kirch Wildlife Management Area
Located approximately 35 miles south of Lund adjacent to State Route 318, the area features five lakes and fishing for rainbow trout and largemouth bass.
This spring and summer, the hot spots are again expected to be Cold Springs and Haymeadow reservoirs. That is because both have largemouth bass, good existing populations of rainbow trout and the Department of Wildlife will be stocking 8,000 rainbows at Cold Springs and 10,000 at Haymeadow.Adams-McGill Reservoir on the management area was drained last year for a major project to eliminate undesirable vegetation in the lake and to conduct work on the lake’s bed that will improve habitat for game fish and waterfowl. A small number of trout have been stocked in the lake and the Department of Wildlife plans to reestablish the largemouth bass fishery.
The rainbow trout fishing should be good at Cold Springs and Haymeadow until midsummer, at which time it drops off significantly due to rising water temperatures. Fishing from the dams is always good for anglers who use PowerBait, live worms and other trout baits.
Largemouth bass fishing can be outstanding at Cold Springs and Haymeadow from late spring into summer. Bass must be at least 10 inches in length to be kept.
Urban Park Ponds
Ponds at Floyd Lamb State Park, Lorenzi Park and Sunset Park in Las Vegas and Veterans Memorial Park in Boulder City will be stocked monthly from mid April through summer with channel catfish.
