A happy angler with a rainbow trout caught from a northeastern Nevada stream in late July.
Eastern Region
Have you ever heard of the Nevada Native Fish-Slam? The Slam is intended to excite and inspire anglers to catch Nevada’s native sport fish. Six native species occur throughout central and northern Nevada including Lahontan, Bonneville and Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout, Redband Trout, Bull Trout and Mountain Whitefish.
Click here to use our FishNV tool to plan your own Native Fish Slam adventure. By participating in this program, we hope that you will gain an appreciation for Nevada’s native sport fish and help support recovery, preservation, and management efforts by NDOW. Anglers completing this program will receive a certificate and customized hat. Submit this form to complete the Slam.
Reports for fishing hot spots
For the fishing reports of individual Eastern Region Hot Spots head to our fishing report database below.
Western Region
Fishing in our region has been excellent this summer. Flows on the three main rivers have been settling over the last few weeks and are prime for summer fishing. Many of our small streams are prime even as we really heat up over the next few weeks. Thomas Creek and Desert Creek are great choices for afternoon hopper fishing.
If you’re looking to escape the heat, consider heading up into mountains. Spooner Lake has been fishing well this spring and should stay consistent for those able to get away from the shoreline vegetation. If you’re able to make the trip, Hobart Reservoir is worth the walk right now. At an elevation of 7650 feet, Hobart stays cool even as we hit triple digits in the valleys.
Summer stocking continues in the urban ponds. Be sure to check the stocking report calendar for weekly updates.
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– Stripers are active around dawn and dusk, providing anglers with lively action during the cooler hours of the day. Hard plastics in shad patterns are the lure of choice, often drawing strikes when thrown to a boil. While black bass fishing remains slow, persistent anglers have found some success around Las Vegas Bay using topwater poppers and Chatterbaits. For those targeting catfish and carp, Hemenway offers a promising spot. Anglers are reporting frequent catches with anchovies and corn, particularly in the late afternoon when the warm water species are more likely to bite. Warm summer temperatures continue to challenge some, but patience and strategic timing are keys to a rewarding day on the water.
LAKE MOHAVE/ WILLOW BEACH – Shore fishing for stripers has been inconsistent while trolling has been productive in the morning. The striper bite is improving in Cottonwood Basin with anglers reporting catches up to 5 pounds while using anchovies and swimbaits. Green sunfish have been biting on spinners around Telephone Cove. The National Park Service has issued a Harmful Algae Bloom warning at Nelson’s Landing. Visitors are urged to use caution if the water is discolored or smelly. (https://www.cdc.gov/harmful-algal-blooms/about/index.html)
LAUGHLIN– With cooler weather settling in, action along the river is heating up. Anglers are catching limits of striped bass along the shoreline. Trout-pattern lures, especially jerkbaits, are proving highly effective and drawing aggressive strikes from the fish. For those who prefer natural bait, frozen anchovies remain a dependable option. Near Laughlin Lagoon, anglers are experimenting with a mix of hard and soft plastics to entice smallmouth bass.
LAS VEGAS COMMUNITY PONDS– The best time to fish is sunrise and sunset. Anglers have found good fishing for bluegill and catfish at Sunset, Lorenzi and Veteran’s Memorial parks. Catfish are chasing after worms, hotdog pieces and stink baits. Bluegill are hitting on worm pieces and PowerBait grubs. Largemouth bass are taking Rat-L-Traps and plastics. Floyd Lamb Park remains closed to fishing.
KIRCH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA – Anglers are catchingtrout with a variety of spinners and spoons at Dacey Reservoir. Other waters have been catch trout below a bobber with PowerBait and night crawlers. Fishing for bass has been steady at Adams-McGill. The fish are hitting plastics and Woolly Buggers despite seasonal weed growth. Anglers can take advantage of the open dove season to fill the pan with fish and fowl.
EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR– Algae growth has limited fishing opportunities. A few anglers have used spinners or worms fished below a bobber where waters are clear. It is recommended that anglers thoroughly wash their fish with clean water and only eat the filets. More information about algae blooms can be found at https://nvose.org/programs/environmental-health/harmful-algal-blooms-eh/ .
ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR – With overnight temperatures beginning to drop, the trout bite is picking up steam. Anglers are finding early morning hours ideal for targeting trout and the warmer parts of the day best for bass and crappie. Both bass and crappie are hitting spinning lures and plastics. As cooler weather settles in conditions are shaping up for a productive fall.
All other fishing hot spots
For the fishing reports of all Southern Region Hot Spots head to our new fishing report database below.
Events
Join Nevada Department of Wildlife instructors for a free fishing class! All ages and experience levels are welcome! For more information and registration visit https://www.register-ed.com/programs/nevada/210-angler-education. Fishing licenses can be purchased online at www.ndowlicensing.com.