Colorado River Fishing Report: Trout, Stripers, and Fall Favorites

Good morning anglers, it's Artificial Lure coming at you with your November 1st, 2025 fishing report for the Colorado River in and around Las Vegas. If you’re headed to the water today, you’ve got crisp autumn air to look forward to, as overnight lows dipped into the high 40s with a forecasted daytime high near the upper 60s. There’s a slight north breeze early, but things should be calm and clear as the morning moves on. Sunrise came at 6:05 AM and sunset will sneak in around 4:45 PM, so plan your floats and casts accordingly if you want to work those evening bites without getting caught out after dark. Now, tidal reports aren’t a factor for this stretch of the river because it’s regulated and not tidal, so focus your efforts around those daybreak and dusk windows when water temps are rising or falling — that’s when the fish get most active. This time of year, colder nights mean the bite creeps later into the morning, but with temperatures this pleasant and clear skies overhead, you’re in for a truly classic southern Nevada fall session. Recent word from local guides, including trip reviews on TripAdvisor, confirms rainbow trout are on the chew, especially in spots that have seen recent stockings upriver near Willow Beach. Striper activity has been best at first light and again near dusk, with anglers reporting nice fish taken on fast-moving baits around coves and points below Hoover Dam. If you’re running the river, always watch for those deeper runs and eddy seams—classic ambush points for both trout and stripers. On the lure front, bring your reaction baits and soft plastics. Slow-rolled swimbaits and jerkbaits have been accounting for the bigger stripers around drop-offs near Cottonwood Cove and the big eddy below the dam. For rainbows, PowerBait—especially in bright colors—and nightcrawlers are pulling in limits, particularly around Willow Beach and along the accessed shorelines at the river parks. Local shops are pushing smaller Kastmasters and Panther Martin spinners as the best bet for lethargic trout if the bite gets picky midday. For the multispecies folks, smallmouth bass are still biting in rocky structure and tailwaters. Ned rigs with natural soft plastics or a classic tube jig will put you on the board. Catfish are less active but still around; fresh chicken liver on a slip sinker rig after dark has picked up a few hefty blues and channels. Last weekend, anglers reported several stripers in the 2-6 pound class and decent numbers of stocked rainbows at Willow Beach, with some rainbows hitting close to 16 inches, based on fish stories shared at the local marinas. Lake Mead reports confirm slow but steady black bass fishing, mostly early and late using shad-imitating lures. Hot spots for the day: - Willow Beach – for stocked trout and a shot at big stripers cruising for a morning meal. - Cottonwood Cove – reliable for both smallmouth and some bigger schools of striper, especially where coves meet the current. Remember, flow This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.