Colorado River Fishing Report: Stripers, Cats, and Bass Galore in Las Vegas

Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to guy for all things fishin' down here on the Colorado River around Las Vegas. It's Sunday mornin', January 4th, 2026, and we're lookin' at a crisp start to the day with temps hoverin' in the low 50s, climbin' to the mid-60s by afternoon under partly cloudy skies—perfect for gettin' out on the water without freezin' your tail off. No tides to worry about in these river waters, but Lake Mead's sittin' steady at 1,062 feet, 166 feet below full pool per US Lakes info, keepin' things fishable from the banks to the deeper slots. Sunrise was at 6:52 AM, sunset around 4:42 PM, givin' ya a solid 10 hours of light.

Fish activity's pickin' up post-holiday with stripers boilin' in the mornings near the inflows, and catfish prowlin' the muddy bottoms. Recent reports from local anglers show solid catches: largemouth bass up to 5 pounds, channel cats hittin' 10-15 pounds, and schools of striped bass crashin' shad up to 20 fish limits. Smallmouth are feisty too, especially in the riffles. Best lures right now? Toss crankbaits like Rapala Shad Raps in shad patterns for stripers, or drop-shot rigs with 4-inch plastic worms for bass. For bait, nightcrawlers or cut anchovies on the bottom can't be beat for cats—live shad if you can net 'em.

Hit these hot spots: the Black Canyon below Hoover Dam for feisty smallies and stripers in the current, or the Vegas Wash area where Mead meets the river—structure's loaded with bass this time of year. Wear your PFDs, watch for driftwood, and respect the no-wake zones.

Thanks for tunin' in, y'all—subscribe for more reports to keep your lines tight!

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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI