Fishing report: Wintry weather brings out bass in the wash

Friday, Jan. 28, 2005 | 10:49 a.m.

NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE

LAKE MEAD: Winter fishing has definitely arrived at the lake and anglers have responded by hooking on baits, such as anchovies and squid, and fishing deep for striped bass.

Boaters are still having fair luck in the Las Vegas Wash area, but have little reason to try their luck in other areas of the lake. Most of the fish that are now coming from the wash have been around a pound. Channel catfish are being caught as well by boaters who are fishing with bait.

Shore anglers have told the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) that they have caught a few stripers during the past week at Hemenway Harbor and the fishing dock. Otherwise, fishing has been slow from shore throughout the lake.

Rainbow trout plants planned for last Friday were not held until Monday because of mechanical problems with the truck that was bringing the fish from the hatchery in Oregon. This week's plants are scheduled to take place today at Hemenway, Horsepower, North Saddle and Pumphouse coves.

LAKE MOHAVE: Pleasant weather and slow fishing were found over the weekend at Cottonwood Cove and Willow Beach, according to NDOW.

About the only success that was found took place at Owl's Point on the Arizona side of the lake where boaters caught a 4 1/2-pound striped bass and several channel catfish. The fish were taken with anchovies.

Trout fishing has been fair immediately following the plants at Willow Beach. The action for stripers has been slow in that part of the lake. NDOW will stock trout today at Cottonwood Cove, Placer Cove and Willow Beach.

WAYNE E. KIRCH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA: Daniel Maes, NDOW assistant area manager, said that after four days with temperatures in the low 60s, there is open water on all reservoirs. There were even a couple of boats launched on Cold Springs reservoir. Maes cautions that ice conditions can change with little warning this time of year.

Anglers reported success for rainbow trout on Adams-McGill, Cold Springs and Haymeadow reservoirs with some fish in the 2-pound range.

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR: Anglers continued to ice fish near the dock where the ice is 4 inches thick. A few stocker rainbow trout were taken; however, murky water conditions are inhibiting success. NDOW advises that anglers exercise caution when ice fishing this reservoir.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR: Ben Johnson said that the reservoir is completely full following the recent rains. The water is also very murky, and he expects it to remain that way for at least another week. No one fished this past week.

URBAN PONDS: Fishing continues to be good following the trout plants with anglers having success by casting small lures and flies. The next trout plants are scheduled for Feb. 4.