Angler Chris Stacy with a 9.5lb wiper at Wild Horse Reservoir. Stacy caught the wiper on an orange spoon near the dam on 5/19/23.
Eastern Region
Reservoirs are filling, streams are flowing, and fish are biting! Slowly but surely water clarity at most reservoirs is beginning to clear up after a very high volume of spring runoff. As waters clear up, trout fishing will become more productive. With water temperatures are on the rise, bass fishing will be picking up as well. Check out the updates for individual waters for the most up-to-date conditions.
Saturday, June 10th is FREE FISHING DAY in Nevada! No fishing license is required for adults or children to fish any public water on this date. All limits and other regulations apply. In the Eastern Region, please join NDOW Angler Education Coordinators at the following locations to celebrate Free Fishing Day. Free fishing rods will be handed out at both locations to the first 60 anglers under 18! Tackle and bait will also be available while supplies lasts. Bring you family and friends to have some fun in the sun!
- Comins Lake | Ely, NV | 8:30am – 10:30am | To register- Click Here
- Carling Pond | Carlin, NV | 8:30am – 10:30am | To register- Click Here
REports for fishing hot spots
For the fishing reports of individual Eastern Region Hot Spots head to our new fishing report database below.
WesterN Region
Fishing was excellent in Western Nevada this past winter with the record cold and snow. Unfortunately, that’s going to change here for many of the rivers and streams. Forecasted record high temps are sure to send all our river flows to dangerous levels and keep them there for the near future. Until we see some of our snowpack melt off, our only option is going to be on the lakes, reservoirs, and community ponds.
Many of our community ponds have had at least one round of trout stocking this spring and will continue to be fully stocked with the limited ability to stock the rivers. The ponds started spring a little slow with the cooler temperatures but should continue to pick up as summer sets in and the weather becomes more consistent. Fish are typically more aggressive in the early spring and will often chase down slow-moving spinners any time of the day. Powerbait near the bottom can be hard to beat on the ponds until the sun and heat promote the growth of vegetation along the bottom.
If you’re looking to escape the community for a little peace and quiet, Topaz, Wall Canyon, and Squaw Creek Reservoir have plenty of water and are fishing well. Keep in mind that access may become tough at times with our very full rivers and streams that feed the lakes. Anglers concentrating around inlets are finding fish stacked up and eager to eat after the long winter. Bright spinners, spoons, and diving plugs should fish well all day long until the summer heat really sets in. Bait fishing with nightcrawlers off the bottom can produce bass, catfish, walleye, carp or trout this time of year.
View all Western Region hot spots
For the fishing reports of all Western Region Hot Spots head to our new fishing report database below.
SOUTHERN Region
LAKE MEAD – Activity at the lake has increased along with angler action. Bluegill are taking night crawlers fished below a bobber at Government Wash and Echo Bay. Striper fishing is good during sunset and sunrise hours. Shad seem to be the answer. A pair of lucky anglers got into a striper boil this week and pulled in several fish in the 18- to 20-inch class. Crappie action is hit and miss.
LAKE MOHAVE/ WILLOW BEACH –This is the season for kayakers and striped bass at Willow Beach. Look for the fish in deeper water. Anchovies and shad imitations are taking the fish. Rainbow trout are rare finds but not impossible to catch. Anglers are seeing smallmouth bass in coves throughout the reservoir. Soft plastics in green and red are catching the fish.
LAUGHLIN – The long holiday weekend brought a lot of recreational traffic into the area. Stripers nearing 10 pounds are taking anchovies near Big Bend State Recreation Area while crankbaits are fooling black bass along the river. Catfish are actively taking bait during the early morning or at night. Worms have been the trick for catfish in the shallows where the vegetation is thicker.
LAS VEGAS COMMUNITY PONDS – With increasing temperatures, fish and humans both are seeking respite in the shadows. Look for fish in pockets of shade throughout the morning hours. Anglers are still catching rainbow trout now and again, but reports are few. Bluegill and largemouth bass are going to be more common during warm months. Nevada Department of Wildlife plans called for a catfish plant at Veterans’ Memorial, Sunset, Lorenzi and Floyd Lamb parks earlier this week.
KIRCH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA (Sunnyside) – Fishing activity has picked up as the action has improved. Boat access is still good, but seasonal weed growth is on the way. Kayak anglers are reporting good fishing for trout. Soft plastics have been catching the fish. Bass is catch-and-release only through June 30 at Dacey Reservoir, and there is a 5-bass limit at Adam’s McGill, Cold Springs and Haymeadow until July 1. There is a limit of one trout at Dacey Reservoir and 5 on the other waters in the area.
EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR – Roads to Spring Valley State Park have started to open. Water is still turning, so be patient getting a bite. The trout limit is 5 per day and possession. Bass are catch and release until June 30th.
ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR – Anglers have found good fishing for bass, trout and crappie. Chartreuse is usually the first color choice for success on this water. Plastics for bass and night crawlers or PowerBait for trout. Crappie have been caught while chasing bass and trout but are always fans of 3-inch jigs. The trout limit is 5.
All other fishing hot spots
For the fishing reports of all Southern Region Hot Spots head to our new fishing report database below.
events
For information about NDOW educational fishing programs and classes, visit https://register-ed.com/programs/nevada/210-angler-education . Fishing licenses can be purchased online at www.ndowlicensing.com.