Good morning, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here, bringing you the latest fishing report for Lake Mead on Sunday, April 13, 2025.
It’s shaping up to be another ideal spring day on the water. Sunrise was at 6:14 AM and sunset will fall at 7:23 PM, offering plenty of time to reel in some beauties. While Lake Mead is landlocked, its water levels have been steady, and recent weather conditions have been favorable for fishing. Today’s forecast shows sunny skies and warm temperatures in the low 70s, with calm winds—perfect conditions for casting.
Activity for various fish species is strong right now. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are found moving into shallower waters during the mornings and evenings as they prepare for their spawn. Anglers have been consistently landing bass in the 2-4 pound range, with some hitting 5 pounds. Striped bass are active as well and continue to favor deep waters, with fish weighing up to 10 pounds commonly reported and even a few over 20 pounds mixed in. Crappie are also biting well, especially in the Overton Arm area, with 10-12 inch catches being the norm.
When it comes to bait and lures, recent success has been achieved with a variety of setups:
- **For bass**, soft plastics in green pumpkin and watermelon colors, spinnerbaits, and football jigs with craw trailers have been particularly effective. Topwater lures, such as Zara Spooks, are another great choice for largemouth early in the day or when targeting shaded areas.
- **For stripers**, live shad or cut anchovies remain the top producers. If you prefer artificial lures, try trolling deep-diving crankbaits or working jigging spoons in 30-50 feet of water.
- **For crappie**, small jigs tipped with minnows are working wonders, especially near submerged vegetation or rocky structures.
If you're looking for hotspot recommendations, here are a couple of prime locations:
1. **The Overton Arm**: Great for largemouth bass and crappie, especially around submerged brush and rocky outcrops.
2. **Callville Bay and Boulder Basin**: Deep waters here are productive for stripers; keep an eye out for bait balls and run your lures through them.
A reminder to stay safe and keep your fishing license on hand—it’s required whether you’re on the Nevada or Arizona side of the lake. Enjoy the calm waters, tight lines, and big catches. Happy fishing, everyone!