The Stripers are Biting in Emerald Cove: Colorado River Fishing Report

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure reporting in from the banks of the Colorado River just outside Las Vegas, Friday, November 21st, 2025. Today’s sunrise was right at 6:30 AM with golden rays lighting up the canyon walls around Willow Beach and up towards Emerald Cove. Expect the sunset to hit about 4:40 PM—so plan your late-afternoon casts accordingly. The weather’s unseasonably warm for November, with The Old Farmer’s Almanac calling for higher-than-average temps and mostly dry conditions, and locals are nodding to the fact we're seeing fewer passing showers than usual. Water levels are steady, though drought in southeast Nevada persists, so keep that in mind if you're launching from some shallows. Fish activity is solid in these conditions. Low rainfall means clearer water and feisty gamefish. The big draw out here right now is striped bass: late fall always brings in the bigger fish chasing shad up and down the current. Several local guides are reporting multiple stripers in the 5–12 lb range caught near the powerlines and up by the coves adjacent to Willow Beach the last few mornings. Catfish—especially flatheads—are also active after dark, with one lucky angler landing a hefty 74 lb flathead near Laughlin earlier this week, a catch that turned the heads of everyone at the marina. Largemouth bass are holding in slower pockets and deep structure as the water cools, and a couple of kayakers paddling to Emerald Cave were celebrating three solid catches yesterday, one hitting just over 4 lbs. According to TripAdvisor reviews—folks in small groups or paddling solo have had luck fishing just upstream from Emerald Cave, especially at mid-morning and dusk. For bait and lure selection, keep it simple but smart. For stripers, local sharpies swear by large swimbaits and live shad if you can get them. Otherwise, deep-diving crankbaits and white or chartreuse bucktail jigs are performing best. Catfish are going for good old chicken liver or prepared stink bait. Largemouth bass are smashing green pumpkin or watermelon soft plastics rigged Texas style, with suspended jerkbaits also pulling bites from deeper structure. Two consistent hot spots to keep in mind: - **Willow Beach Marina:** The trout stocking earlier in the month still has predators hanging close. Work the main channel and shoreline riprap for striper and largemouth action, especially in the early hours. - **Emerald Cove and up towards Black Canyon:** This stretch is producing solid mixed bags—expect stripers in deeper runs, and largemouth tucked in shallows and behind rock shelves. Kayak rentals are easy to get at Willow Beach if you don’t have your own rig. The river’s flatwater is drawing paddlers and fishers alike, so mid-day might get crowded on weekends, but weekdays remain peaceful. If you’re new to the area, don’t miss the chance to get out and see the emerald waters—several guides shared glowing reviews about both the scenery and the fishing. That wraps up today’s r This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.