"Stripers, Bass, and Crappie Bite at Lake Mead This Spring"

Good morning, anglers! It's April 11, 2025, and the fishing at Lake Mead is shaping up to be excellent on this beautiful spring day. The weather this morning is clear, with temperatures expected to peak near 85°F this afternoon, and winds will stay light around 5-10 mph. Sunrise was at 6:16 AM, and sunset will be at 7:10 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to reel in some beauties. Fish activity is heating up across the lake as the water warms. Striped bass are stealing the spotlight, with catches averaging between 5-10 pounds. A few trophy catches over 15 pounds have been reported recently. Live shad, cut anchovies, and white swimbaits are the baits of choice for these hard-fighting fish. Anglers have also found success using deep-diving crankbaits and spoons, especially in the deeper waters near Boulder Basin and around Hemenway Harbor. Trolling is paying off well in these spots. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are moving into shallower, warmer waters as spring progresses. Target them early in the morning or late in the afternoon near submerged vegetation and rocky points around Callville Bay. Soft plastics in green pumpkin or watermelon hues, as well as crankbaits and chatterbaits, have been highly productive. For smallmouth bass, jigs, particularly those in natural craw patterns, are also effective. Crappie are gaining more attention as their activity increases in the Overton Arm. Anglers are pulling in good-sized crappie, about 10-12 inches, using white or chartreuse jigs tipped with minnows. Channel catfish continue to bite in the evening hours near Vegas Wash; stinkbaits, chicken liver, and cut shad are working well. If you're planning to head out today, here are a couple of hotspots to consider: Boulder Basin for exceptional striper action and Callville Bay's coves for bass. Overton Arm is the go-to spot for crappie, while evening anglers targeting catfish should head to Vegas Wash. As for lures, early morning hours are ideal for topwater options like Zara Spooks or buzzbaits to target aggressive bass. Inline spinners and chatterbaits are also excellent, especially for stripers. During brighter parts of the day, deep-diving crankbaits and soft plastics will help you pick off fish lurking near structures. Stick to natural colors like white, silver, and green pumpkin to match the local baitfish. Lake Mead offers something for everyone right now, whether you're looking for stripers, bass, or crappie. Gear up, stay safe, and enjoy the perfect mix of spring weather and active fish. Tight lines, and may your nets be full!