Stripers, Bass, and Trout Dominate the Colorado River in Las Vegas

Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here reporting from the Las Vegas stretch of the Colorado River on Thursday, November 20th, 2025. Sunrise cracked the horizon at 6:24 a.m. with a subtle waxy crescent moon still lingering, and we’re set for sunset around 4:35 p.m. Those hitting the water early caught a golden hue over the river—a sight that never gets old for local fishers. The sky’s mostly clear with unseasonably mild fall temps, hovering in the low 60s early then pushing into the upper 70s by midday. With a stubborn ridge of high pressure parked overhead, there’s almost no wind and just a whisper of humidity—a great comfort if you’re posting up for an all-day session. WeatherNation posted yesterday that this high pressure’s been breaking records for warmth across the region, so expect action to heat up faster than usual. Tidal action’s minimal here, but fish are still strongly keyed to “bite windows.” FishingReminder pegged today’s major bait times at 3:10–5:10 a.m. and 3:34–5:34 p.m., with minor windows late morning and after dark. If you’re squeezing in a quick hour, work those twilight shifts—the bite switches on fast. Now for what the river’s coughing up: According to Lake Mead Fishing Report Today, stripers are front and center. Surface temps locked in the mid-50s have kept shad balls shallow, and the striped bass are smashing topwater at first light and chasing deep-diving crankbaits by afternoon. Local chat rooms like Float N Fish with Tony V confirm smallmouth and largemouth showing strong in current breaks and rock piles, especially just south of Willow Beach. Recent catches are solid for this time of year: - **Striped bass:** most reports show plenty in the 2–6 lbs range, with the occasional 10+ pounder, especially around shad schools. - **Smallmouth bass:** bites are best on rocky points and drop-offs, fish mostly 1–2 lbs but a few chunky 3–4 pounders landed in the coves. - **Catfish:** channel cats are moving after dark, mostly 1–4 lbs, with the old timers hauling out some double-digit brutes from deeper holes. - **Trout:** stocker rainbows are being hooked on spinners near Willow Beach and below Hoover Dam. For lures, locals lean heavy on: - **Topwater walking baits** and **swim jigs** before sunrise for stripers. - **Deep-diving crankbaits** (in shad or bluegill colors) for midday stripers and smallmouth. - **Soft plastic swimbaits** dragged on jig heads for bass—especially watermelon and green pumpkin. - For catfish, it’s hard to beat soaked cut baits or chicken liver; after dark, stink baits do wonders. Best natural bait right now? Live shad for stripers if you can net them, nightcrawlers for cats, and PowerBait or small gold spinners for those stocked trout. Hot spots today: - **Government Wash** is pumping out stripers and smallies, especially if you work the drop-offs and rocky points. - **Willow Beach** is your ticket for trout and some very large striped bass, especially near the marina early or late. - **Las Veg This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.