Lake Mead Fishing Report: Stripers Hitting Hard, Smallies Stirring and Crappie Schooling Up

Artificial Lure here with your Lake Mead fishing report for Friday, November 14th, 2025. The cool November air greeted anglers this morning under crystal-clear skies—temperatures started in the low 50s at first light, warming into the upper 60s by midday, with barely a whisper of wind, making for prime fishing conditions. According to local forecasts, you can expect sunrise right around 6:20 a.m. and sunset at 4:39 p.m., leaving a tight but productive fishing window.

Tidal influence isn’t a factor on Lake Mead, being a desert reservoir, but water levels remain low due to ongoing drought and management drawdowns, so approach the shorelines and coves with caution—shallows change fast this time of year. Despite these low levels, reports from Nevada Fish Reports say fishing has been “fair to good,” with fish feeding actively as the water continues to cool.

Let’s talk action. The striped bass bite is the main event—stripers have moved in closer to the marina lights and are cruising shallow rock points early and late in the day. The best recent action is coming on trolled swimbaits and live shad, with most stripers running 2 to 5 pounds but a few double-digit fish reported, especially after dark near Boulder Beach and the Hemenway launch. Boaters drifting anchovies or jigging spoons off deep main-lake points are getting steady strikes, especially just after sunrise and as the shadows stretch late in the afternoon.

Smallmouth bass have been heating up across the rocky points and submerged brush—YouTube angler reports and guides agree that a light breeze and a jerkbait or Ned rig will get the job done. The best colors have been natural shad, green pumpkin, and smoke with silver flake. Focus on drop-offs near Government Wash and the mouth of Las Vegas Bay. The finesse bite with drop-shot rigs and small plastics is also pulling plenty of numbers out of 15–25 feet.

Catfish are thick after dark; still plenty of channels and a few big blue cats taking cut baits, chicken livers, and shrimp around the backs of coves and especially below the Hoover Dam outflow. Locals suggest soaking your baits in scent and dropping them deep—some anglers are hauling in cats over 10 pounds. And don’t overlook crappie—they’re starting to school tight over submerged brush in Echo Bay and Overton Arm for anglers working small jigs or live minnows under floats.

Hot spots worth your time right now:
- Boulder Basin: stripers early on the troll or with topwater walkers right at dawn.
- Government Wash: mixed bag of smallies and largemouth hugging the rocky shelves, especially mid-morning once the sun hits the rocks.
- Echo Bay: best for those after crappie and the occasional bonus walleye on live minnows.

Best lures and bait this week:
- For stripers: white or chrome Rat-L-Traps, bucktail jigs with chartreuse trailer, trolled umbrella rigs, and chunked anchovy.
- For bass: suspending jerkbaits in natural patterns, Ned rigs, small swimbaits, and dropshots fished slow between the rocks.
- For catfish: cut anchovy, mackerel, chicken liver, or shrimp.
- For panfish: 1/16 oz. marabou jigs in white or chartreuse, and live minnows.

Angler reports from Nevada Fish Reports and the Lake Mead Daily Podcast say the overall catch rate is up and fish are scattered throughout the water column—mobility and adapting to recent weather shifts are key. The water clarity is excellent, so lighter line and subtle presentations can really make the difference, especially for bass and wary stripers.

Thanks for tuning in to your Lake Mead fishing report. Don’t forget to subscribe for daily updates, and as always, tight lines and safe boating!

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