Fishing Report: 09/19/23

Check out the latest new water record!
Jym Polish landed this 8lb 2.4oz rainbow trout on September 15th at Wildhorse Reservoir in Elko County. It was 27.5 inches long with a 14.5 inch girth. To make the catch even sweeter, he was using a homemade lure! Congrats, Jym!

Eastern Region

Fall is in the air! This weekend’s forecast is predicting our first big fall storm in eastern NV with frost, rain, and a big drop in temperatures. Cooler temperatures are just what we need for a boost in trout activity. Anglers are already seeing the cool temperatures at work at Wildhorse Reservoir. The algae is clearing up and the trout are really biting! The new water record for rainbow trout at Wildhorse was set last weekend (see photo and caption above), and many other anglers are catching fish well over 20″. The water at South Fork Reservoir is also clearing up and cooling down, so expect good fishing for trout averaging 14″-16″. We will see these same cooling trends across the eastern region, so head out to your favorite fishing hole and let us know how you do!

UPCOMING ANGLER EDUCATION CLINIC – EASTERN REGION:

Join us on Saturday, September 30th for an Intro to Stream Fly Fishing Clinic on the S. Fork of the Humboldt River! For more details and to register click this link: https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/203075

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

Western Nevada’s rivers and lakes are prime for fall fishing. The increase in water over the last year has really done wonders for our trout, but sure has made a big mess. The Truckee and Carson Rivers have been a little high but fishing very well. The Walker system just cant seem to come down after the triple snowpack but we hope to be back on the East Walker next month. Hoppers are out in record numbers across northern Nevada and fish are on them. Water conditions have trout and bass in our moving waters eager enough to take larger diving plugs and spoons. Nearly all our small creeks have also come down to at least fishable levels in time for fall. Our lakes and reservoirs are going to be hot this fall. Areas that struggled due to low water over the last few years are now healing nicely.

Knott, Onion, and Blue have been great this summer and should remain productive through the end of the fishing season. Squaw and Wall Canyon are putting out some really good bass and trout on a regular basis and are definitely worth the drive before it gets really cold. The warm water fisheries continue to put out fair numbers of bass with Lahontan or Rye Patch at the top of that list. Many of our areas community ponds continue to receive regular stockings and have fished very well for bait, fly, and spin anglers. We’ll see stocking pick back up when water temperatures start to fall

 

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 – Boaters should keep an eye out for debris brought in by storm activity. Some anglers were able to get out ahead of the storms. Boulder Basin has been active for striper boils. Look for them near cove mouths at sunset and sunrise. Bass action has been hit or miss, but anglers have had luck with white poppers and Zara Spooks for all bass. Anchovies are always a good option when lures aren’t working. They will also fool catfish. 

LAKE MOHAVE/ WILLOW BEACH – Anchovies and silver swimbaits have been working for striped bass at the north and south ends of the reservoir. Night crawlers are a fair replacement when other baits aren’t working for catfish and bluegill. Look for the fish in water north of Cottonwood Basin. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are biting on Rapala shad topwater lures along cove edges. Unsettled weather conditions caused an angler to flip on his kayak outside Willow Beach. Always monitor weather conditions and go prepared for changes.

LAUGHLIN – Catfish and striper catches have included bigger fish and more of them than in recent weeks. Fishing is good when the weather cooperates. Small night crawlers and anchovy chucks have been working for catfish while anchovies and poppers have been fooling stripes. The dam and casino areas have seen the most activity.

LAS VEGAS COMMUNITY PONDS – Unsettled weather conditions have made fishing difficult. Bluegill continue to take mealworms, night crawlers and small lures. The best action takes place in the morning hours. Catfish are taking stink baits and night crawlers. A few bass have been caught on a 3-inch plastic bait fished on a drop shot rig.

KIRCH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA – Aquatic vegetation continues to be a problem across the area. Sunny afternoons helped vegetation grow quickly and winds have piled it up along the shorelines. The best action has come to anglers throwing weedless hooks with long casts to get baits past the weeds. Fly anglers have had the best success at sunrise and sunset using Woolly Buggers and poppers.

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR – Aquatic vegetation has been cleared. Anglers are beating the heat by fishing in the morning for trout using night crawlers and glitter PowerBaits.  Daytime heat has limited fishing activity between 10 a.m. and sunset. Park rangers have installed the new boat dock. 

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR – With aquatic vegetation covering much of the reservoir, action has been slow. Trout, crappie and bass continue to take a variety of baits and lures, but mostly in the early morning. Go with a single hook and a night crawler to avoid conflicts with vegetation. A night crawler fished a couple of feet below a bobber should keep you out of the weeds.

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.

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