Las Vegas fishing report 9/4/08

[T_boy]

LAKE MEAD -- Bass anglers are catching smallies and largemouth bass all over the lake. Early mornings still are best. Pro angler Justin Kerr used a combination of oxblood RoboWorms and Super Spooks to win the 2008 WON Bass U.S. Open tournament on the lake last week. His three-day total was just more than 27 pounds.

Striped bass are hitting hardware in the Overton Arm with most action taking place on the Gold Butte side. Catfish are taking cut bait. The Las Vegas Bay arm still is producing stripers, but the fish generally are small. They are taking top-water lures and lures jigged below the surface.

LAKE MOHAVE -- Fishing remains good to very good for shore and boat anglers. Striped bass in the 1- to 5-pound class are taking whole anchovies trolled in 20 to 80 feet of water. Cut bait is catching smaller stripers and catfish.

Largemouth are biting on top-water and shallow-diving lures. The fishing pier at Willow Beach is the place to be for rainbow trout. The fish are taking PowerBait in the salmon egg, orange, yellow or gold colorations.

LAS VEGAS URBAN PONDS -- Cooler evening temperatures should translate into better fishing at the local ponds. Trout stocking could begin in early November if temperatures are cool enough.

In the meantime, catfish, bluegill and bass will provide a challenge. Floyd Lamb probably is the most productive fishery right now. Catfish will be stocked again the week of Sept. 15.

LAUGHLIN -- Anglers are catching stripers on the Colorado River below Davis Dam. They mostly are small and taking cut anchovies. Largemouth bass have been active along the river as well. On Lake Mohave, largemouth and smallmouth bass are keeping fishermen busy.

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR -- Focus on the aeration bubbles, where the oxygen concentration is highest. With temperatures beginning to cool, fishing should pick up along the shoreline.

In the meantime, Rooster Tails, Panther Martins and flies fished in deeper water should net bites. From the shore, try PowerBait and worms. A one-fly tournament will be held here on Sept. 20. Call (775) 962-5103 for information.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR -- Spinners and flies are catching fish even though the water is low. Most action is from trout and bass, though the occasional crappie still shows up. Focus on the deep water near structure or along the dam.

KIRCH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA -- Weed growth is beginning to hamper shore and boat fishermen. Bass anglers are picking up fish by throwing plastics to open pockets in the weeds. Things are tougher for those on the shoreline, though fishermen still are catching a few trout.