Spring Fishing Frenzy on the Colorado River Near Las Vegas

Good morning, anglers! Here’s your April 12, 2025, fishing report for the Colorado River near Las Vegas, including Lake Mead and Lake Mohave. The weather today is excellent for fishing. Clear skies, a high of 80°F, and a southwest breeze of 5-10 mph are creating perfect springtime conditions. Sunrise was at 6:22 AM and sunset will be at 7:06 PM, providing nearly 13 hours of daylight. Water temperatures hover around 62°F, ideal for active fish activity. Below the Hoover Dam, water flow is stable at 12,500 cubic feet per second. **Recent Catches:** - **Striped Bass:** Anglers are reporting great numbers of striped bass with catches in the 10-20 pound range. Cut anchovies, live shad, and white swimbaits have been highly effective. Trolling near Hemenway Harbor in Lake Mead is particularly productive. - **Largemouth Bass:** Largemouth activity is heating up, especially in the mornings and late afternoons. Green pumpkin and watermelon soft plastics, crankbaits, and jigs have been successful. Try coves with submerged vegetation near Callville Bay. - **Rainbow Trout:** Trout fishing is strong at Willow Beach in Lake Mohave. Trout averaging 12-16 inches are hitting on Powerbait and small spinners like Panther Martins, with occasional trophy-sized fish up to 20 inches. - **Catfish:** Evening is the best time for channel catfish. Stinkbaits, chicken liver, and cut shad are reliable near the Lake Mead Marina. - **Carp:** These underrated fighters are taking corn and dough baits in slack water. **Recommended Baits and Lures:** - For striped bass: Cut anchovies, live shad, white or chartreuse swimbaits. - For largemouth bass: Green pumpkin or watermelon soft plastics, deep-diving crankbaits, chatterbaits. - For rainbow trout: Powerbait, small spinners like Panther Martins. - For catfish: Stinkbaits, chicken liver. - For general use: Drop shot rigs and chatterbaits can also be effective in tougher conditions. **Hot Spots:** 1. **Hemenway Harbor (Lake Mead):** A top location for striped bass and largemouth bass. Try trolling crankbaits or casting soft plastics along structures. 2. **Willow Beach (Lake Mohave):** Excellent for rainbow trout with spinners and stripers using live bait. 3. **Callville Bay (Lake Mead):** A great area for largemouth bass among submerged vegetation. Regulations are essential, so check your licenses, especially if you’re fishing from a boat, as Nevada and Arizona have reciprocal permit agreements. With the spring bite in full swing, now’s the perfect time to get out there. Tight lines and good luck! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.