Fall Fishing Frenzy on Lake Mead - Stripers, Bass & More

Artificial Lure here, bringing you your Lake Mead fishing report for Friday, October 31, 2025. The sun popped up at 6:46 AM and we’re looking at another chilly morning—lows right around 48 degrees at dawn, with the high later expected to reach just about 65 under clear skies. The air feels crisp and dry, winds are light out of the north at about 6-10 mph, and the pressure is steady. Water temps are cooling off, hovering around the mid-60s, and that’s prime time for fall fishing action around these parts. Tidal influence isn’t a factor on Lake Mead, being a big ol’ reservoir, but water levels are up a bit from last year, a real blessing after those historic lows. That extra water’s brought new shoreline structure alive, and shad are schooled up thick in the backs of coves, drawing in the predators. According to Nevada Fish Reports, anglers have been seeing a little slower action as the lake turns over, but the bite is holding steady most days. Striped bass are the main ticket, and they’re popping early in the coves near Boulder Harbor and Echo Bay. Most linesiders coming up are schoolies, running 1–3 pounds, but there’s been a few 10 pounders boated this week by anglers throwing topwater just before sunrise. If you’re after a reel-screamer, hit the narrows and mouth of Las Vegas Bay at first light with chrome or white pencil poppers—classic Zara Spooks have gotten the most attention. Live shad or anchovies on a drop shot are a sure bet once the sun climbs a bit. Largemouth and smallmouth bass have been pushing shallower with the cooling weather. Willow Beach downriver, a favorite among Arizona locals, saw several smallmouths over 3 pounds landed in the past few days on green pumpkin jigs and Ned rigs. Up in the Overton Arm, rocky points are producing, especially if you’re tossing Texas-rigged plastic craws in watermelon red or small swim baits that match young shad. Catfish have been active at night and after sunset—try the base of steep banks near Hemenway using cut anchovy or chicken liver. Reports of channel cats pushing 8 pounds aren’t uncommon this fall. For those targeting panfish, bluegill are active around submerged brush. Small pieces of worm or crappie jigs in the Boulder Beach coves will keep rods bent, especially for the kiddos. This week’s hot spots are the Government Wash area for striper boils at sunrise, and Echo Bay’s north-facing points for consistent bass action. Willow Beach is still a winner for both smallmouth and an occasional trout, especially as trout stocking begins to pick up down there. Don’t forget, with the lake turning over, water clarity can be variable—stick with lures that throw some flash and vibration. If it’s a slow day, swap out for natural baits—live shad are tough to beat for stripers, and a simple nightcrawler under a bobber will still fill a stringer with panfish. And for those camping out, Willow Beach Campground is open and comfortable, with temps in the 70s by day and 50s come nightfall. It’s a This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.