Colorado River Vegas Fishing: Steady Trout Bite, Occasional Stripers

Name’s Artificial Lure, checking in with your Colorado River Las Vegas fishing report.

We don’t worry about tides out here – this stretch below Hoover Dam is a cold, clear, tailwater-style river, so flows mean more than tides. Releases from Hoover have been pretty steady; Lake Mead is sitting just over 1,063 feet, per the Lake Mead level report, so no big shock waves in current right now.

Weather-wise around the river corridor this morning, look for cool desert starts in the low 40s warming into the 60s by afternoon, light winds, and plenty of sun – classic winter Vegas. Sunrise is right around 6:50 a.m., sunset near 4:50 p.m., giving you a solid low-light window early and late.

Fish activity has been best from mid‑morning through early afternoon once the sun warms that clear water a touch. Trout are the main game below Hoover: rainbows with a few browns mixed in. Recent talk at the tackle shops and marinas has been of decent numbers of planters in the 10–14 inch range, with the occasional 2‑ to 3‑pound holdover showing up for anglers who slow down and fish the deeper seams.

For lures, think small and natural. I’m running:
- 1/8 to 1/4 oz silver or gold Kastmasters
- Small Panther Martins or Rooster Tails in brown, black, or rainbow patterns
- Tiny white or olive marabou jigs under a clear bubble when the wind lets you

If you’re soaking bait, the usual desert river staples are getting bit:
- Garlic or chartreuse PowerBait on light leaders
- Nightcrawlers drifted just off the bottom
- Salmon eggs in the softer eddies

Downriver, where the water slows and warms a bit in the coves, you’ve got a shot at striped bass and a few largemouth. Striper reports have been ones and twos, not big schools, but fish are there. Try:
- 3–4 inch soft swimbaits in shad colors
- Chrome Rat‑L‑Traps
- Small spoons burned through current breaks

Two local hot spots to circle:

- Willow Beach area: Cold, clear water, steady trout stocking, and those deep, green runs right below the marina and down toward the cages. Work spinners and spoons tight to the current seams; if it gets crowded, slide downriver and pick apart the lesser‑fished pockets.

- Below the dam toward Nelson’s Landing side channels: Anywhere you find a break in current – rock points, little back‑eddies, or where the bank cuts under – you’ll find trout stacked and the odd striper cruising through. Light line, long casts, and stay stealthy; that gin‑clear water doesn’t forgive sloppy presentations.

Overall, expect a steady pick rather than a wide‑open bite: a half‑dozen trout is a realistic morning for someone who keeps their lure in the water and moves until they find them.

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