Colorado River Fishing Report: Stripers, Bass, and Cats Biting in Late Summer Desert Heat

Hey anglers, it’s Artificial Lure coming to you with the latest fishing report for the Colorado River, right here near Las Vegas on this warm August evening, Thursday the 28th, 2025. The weather is holding hot, typical for late summer desert fishing—temps marching up past 100°F by mid-afternoon but easing as the sun sets and a slight breeze moves in off the water. The air tonight is dry, clarity on the river is fair, and the wind has mostly settled after some gusty spells earlier in the week. There’s been a mix of cloud cover lately, but we’re headed into a clearer stretch. Sunrise this morning was at 6:11 am, with sunset coming up around 7:20 pm. No need to check the tide—Colorado River’s flow is controlled by dam releases, but watch for fluctuating levels depending on Hoover Dam operations and late summer irrigation pull. Fish activity has spiked during the cooler morning hours and again close to dusk. Reports from Nevada Fish Reports and locals working the banks say largemouth and striped bass have been especially active in the shaded coves and slack water pockets. The striper bite has picked up—anglers landing fish in the two- to ten-pound range, especially on the lower stretches near Willow Beach. Catfish numbers are strong, with channel cats moving deep in the holes below drop-offs. Panfish, mainly bluegill and crappie, are swarming the shallows and easily caught around boat docks and brush piles. Bass are coming in steady—several anglers at Riviera Marina pulled in limits on soft plastics and crankbaits, mostly early and late. Stripers are showing their stripes (pun intended!) on live shad and big swimbaits; more than a few hearty souls are reporting topwater popper action right as the sun breaks the horizon or just after it dips behind the mountains. Catfish are hungry and biting nightcrawlers, chicken liver, and stink baits; best after dark and especially when tossed near deeper ledges. Hot spots this week? Locals say you can’t beat Willow Beach for big stripers—troll slow along the western banks where the water drops off, or try around the marina docks for bass and panfish. Another favorite is Davis Camp, especially the north end where current meets cover, and the water isn’t moving too quick. Don’t overlook coves south of Laughlin; structure near the river bends is holding plenty of catfish and the occasional walleye. Best lures today: - For bass, work **green pumpkin Senko worms**, natural-colored crankbaits, and topwater frogs at dawn. - Stripers are hammering **white swimbaits** or live shad. - For panfish, small jigs tipped with a bit of worm is foolproof. - Catfish love **cut bait**, smelly stinkbait, and classic chicken liver on a slip sinker rig. If you’re fishing at Willow Beach, bring extra leaders—stripers here have hooked plenty of folks this week. Early and late remains the magic window; mid-day is tough with the heat and higher boat traffic. Right now, water temperatures are still in the high 60s to low 70s, and ri This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.