Striped Bass Bonanza and Catfish Comeback at Lake Mead

As of October 16, 2024, Lake Mead in Nevada is offering some exciting fishing opportunities despite the challenging weather conditions. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water. ### Weather and Tidal Report The weather at Lake Mead is expected to be hot, with temperatures soaring up to 95°F during the day and dipping to around 70°F at night. Since Lake Mead is a landlocked lake, there are no tides to consider, but be prepared for the wind to pick up, especially in the afternoon. ### Sunrise and Sunset Sunrise is at around 6:43 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 6:03 PM, giving you ample time to take advantage of the cooler morning and evening hours when fish are most active. ### Fish Activity Striped bass are highly active during the cooler hours of the day, particularly around dawn and dusk. They are known to feed voraciously on shad at the surface, creating "boils" that are a sight to behold. Black bass fishing has been slow, but persistent anglers have found some success using topwater poppers and Chatterbaits. Channel catfish and carp are also biting, especially in the late afternoon. ### Catches Yesterday, anglers reported catching striped bass up to 5 pounds in the Cottonwood Basin area using anchovies and swimbaits. Black bass were caught in Las Vegas Bay using topwater poppers and Chatterbaits. Channel catfish were frequently caught at Hemenway using anchovies and corn. ### Best Lures and Bait For striped bass, hard plastics in shad patterns and live shad or store-bought anchovies are highly effective. For black bass, topwater poppers and Chatterbaits are recommended. Channel catfish are best caught using beef, chicken liver, shrimp, or prepared baits on the bottom. ### Hot Spots - **Las Vegas Bay**: This area has been good for black bass using topwater poppers and Chatterbaits. - **Hemenway**: A promising spot for channel catfish and carp, where anchovies and corn have been successful. - **Cottonwood Basin**: Trolling has been productive here for striped bass, with catches up to 5 pounds using anchovies and swimbaits. Remember to stay hydrated and be prepared for the wind. Plan your fishing trip around the cooler hours of dawn and dusk for the best results.