Casting for Stripers and Cats in the Colorado River Las Vegas

Artificial Lure here with your Friday, October 24th, 2025 Colorado River Las Vegas fishing report. Right now, the river’s flowing steady, mornings are crisp, and sunrise was at 6:54 AM. Expect sunset at 6:03 PM, giving us a full ten hours of daylight to chase the bite. The weather’s clear and seasonal, hovering in the upper 50s at daybreak and reaching the low 80s by mid-afternoon. No big storms rolling through, so water clarity is on point—just a touch of that desert wind picking up after lunch. Tidal influence here is light due to Hoover and Davis dams, so don’t expect backwater surges like coastal spots. Still, early morning and late evening see boosted fish movement thanks to cooler temps and steady flows. If you’re planning a night bite, dusk has been hotter than dawn; fish are cruising the edges looking for an easy snack like a freshly drifted worm or shad-imitating jig. On the catch front, local anglers have had solid success this week. You’ll hear of striped bass running from schoolie size up to 7 pounds, with a few linesiders pushing double digits over near Willow Beach and below Davis Dam. Channel catfish are showing up regularly in deeper holes with cut bait and stink baits. Rainbow trout are consistent in stocked sections, averaging 12 to 15 inches—powerbait and silver spinners are still the ticket for rainbows. Largemouth bass are holding tight to structure and weed edges, especially where sunlight breaks on riprap. Most fish reported have been in the 1.5- to 3-pound class—try green pumpkin Senkos, soft swimbaits, and crankbaits with a chrome-blue profile. Best bait for cats is still chicken liver or fresh shrimp, while live shad and anchovies tempt stripers. A few sunfish, mostly bluegill and redear, were landed near coves mid-river using small pieces of nightcrawler and redworms under a bobber—great fun for families or if you just want steady action off the dock. For lures, locals swear by Bomber Long A and Rat-L-Trap for stripers, especially chrome and chartreuse in the sunny stretches. For trout, use Mepps spinners, Panther Martin (gold/black), or drifting garlic Powerbait. Catfish folks stick to cut mackerel or dip baits—don’t forget heavy gear and patience. Hot spots today: - Willow Beach Marina: Stripers and trout are active; focus near the current seams with shad lures. - Below Davis Dam: Catfish and school-sized stripers. Best action after dark up to midnight. - Big Bend State Recreation Area: Largemouth bass sitting close to the submerged brush and rocky ledges. Early birds did well on stripers casting into shallow runs by 7:15 AM; mid-morning, the bite shifted deeper as the sun rose. Afternoon winds may push fish tighter to structure, so consider scaling down your tackle just a touch for finesse. Remember, with water agreements looming and conservation levels changing, keep an eye on regulations and slot limits—let the big ones go, and respect local biologists working to keep the Colorado thriving. If you’re plan This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.