FISHING REPORT

• LAKE MEAD -- The Vegas Bay Arm still is giving up catfish to anglers using cut bait. Striped bass are taking lures fished in the same general area, though top-water action has slowed during the past week.

Fishing along Boulder Beach should continue to improve as shad activity increases. For anglers who don't mind traveling, Stewart's Point has been producing stripers, and the coves south of Echo Bay have been kicking out largemouth and smallmouth bass.

• LAKE MOHAVE -- Trout fishing has picked up at Willow Beach, and rainbow PowerBait has been the ticket. While much of the action has come from stocked rainbows, several trout reportedly have topped the 2-pound mark. Successful anglers are catching most of their fish in the early morning hours.

Trout-like lures have been taking striped bass in the same general area. One striper measured 34 inches in length and weighed in at more than 12 pounds.

Lures designed to resemble trout are legal; however, using live trout for bait is against the law and can bring hefty fines.

Fishing out of Cottonwood Cove has been poor to fair for catfish and stripers. Largemouth bass have been noticeably absent from anglers' creels. Those having success are fishing in 15 to 60 feet of water.

Green sunfish are plentiful in coves near the Cottonwood Cove Marina. They have been taking both lures and prepared bait. Sunfish are a good starter fish for kids fishing with a mealworm suspended below a bobber.

• LAUGHLIN -- Fish in the morning and evening hours to avoid boat traffic, and work the backwaters and pockets along the river for largemouth bass and sunfish.

Throw swimbaits or drift-fish with anchovies to catch striped bass.

• LAS VEGAS URBAN PONDS -- The ponds at Floyd Lamb Park have been giving up bluegills as well as largemouth bass, although the surge in daytime temperatures has slowed things.

Recently planted catfish have experienced a substantial die-off, probably due to transportation-related stresses, said Jon Sjoberg, supervising fisheries biologist for the Nevada Department of Wildlife. No other species has been affected.

The NDOW is investigating the situation and working with the vendor to arrange for replacement fish.

• EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR -- The water level has dropped noticeably in recent weeks. Trout fishing is slow to fair, with only a few die-hards catching their limits. Most anglers are catching only one or two fish.

PowerBait has been the bait of choice among the trout population. Traditional baits such as worms have been ineffective.

• ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR -- Low water and heavy weed growth have put the brakes on fishing at this Lincoln County reservoir. Fish will be holding in shaded, deep water where they can escape the heat.

• KIRCH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA -- Today marks the opening of fishing on Dacey Reservoir and the removal of seasonal closures on the upper ends of Adams-McGill, Cold Springs and Haymeadow. These areas are closed to trespass from Feb. 15 through Aug. 15.

That means these areas haven't been fished this year and could provide good action for hungry rainbow trout and largemouth bass. Water levels remain good, and shore anglers can take advantage of open water at Haymeadow.

Weed growth on Cold Springs has made fishing from shore a difficult proposition. But fishing is good for those who can get beyond the weeds.

• FLY-FISHING CLASS -- The NDOW is taking registrations for a beginning fly-fishing class Friday and Saturday. Participants will learn about equipment, terminology, knot tying, fishing techniques, etc. Space is limited.

Call 702-486-5127, extension 3503, for more information or to register.