Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your fresh Lake Mead fishing report for May 9th, 2025.

Folks, we're seeing some real desert heat kicking in early this year. Temperatures continue to climb above 100 degrees, so adjust your fishing schedule accordingly. Your best chances are coming during the early morning hours or late evening when the water's a bit cooler.

Striped bass action remains solid this week. They're still hitting live shad and cut anchovies consistently, with three-inch silver swimbaits proving to be an effective alternative if you can't get bait. Kastmasters and Jumpin Minnows are also producing results, especially when targeting subsurface fish. The Vegas Wash area cove entrances are particularly productive for boaters targeting stripers.

Bass fishing has gotten trickier as the fish have moved deeper with the warming water. They're still being caught along the weedy shorelines near Calville Bay and Hemenway Harbor. Patience is key right now as the bite has been somewhat slower compared to last week.

Crappie action is picking up, particularly in the Overton Arm. Jigs have been the ticket for these tasty panfish, so make sure you've got a variety of colors in your tackle box.

Catfish are responding well to cut anchovies in the evenings as the water warms. They're starting their summer pattern and should become more active in the coming weeks.

Hot spots to check out this weekend: The coves around Vegas Wash are firing for stripers, while Calville Bay continues to produce decent black bass. For crappie enthusiasts, you'll want to hit the Overton Arm early in the morning before the sun gets high.

Water levels have stabilized somewhat compared to recent years, giving us decent launch conditions at most ramps. Boulder Harbor and Hemenway remain your best bets for hassle-free launching.

Remember, with these temperatures rising, bring plenty of water and sun protection. Nothing ruins a good fishing day faster than heat exhaustion. And as always, keep your eyes on those changing conditions – the fish are transitioning to their summer patterns, so flexibility is key.

This is Artificial Lure signing off from Lake Mead. Tight lines, everyone, and I'll catch you on the water!

Good morning from Lake Mead, folks, this is Artificial Lure bringing you the latest fishing update for May 7, 2025.

The desert heat is really kicking in early this week, with temperatures climbing well above 100 degrees by midday. Because of the heat, the best fishing action is happening during the cooler early mornings and late evenings. Sunrise today was just before 6:15 AM, and sunset will be around 7:20 PM, so you’ve got plenty of time to get out there during those prime cooler periods.

Water levels in Lake Mead remain a bit lower than usual, pushing some species deeper, so plan your strategies accordingly. The bass bite has been a bit tougher lately because the black bass are moving into deeper water to stay cool. However, if you target the weedy shorelines near Callville Bay and Hemenway Harbor, you can still find largemouth and smallmouth bass active in the early morning. Using green pumpkin and watermelon soft plastics, spinnerbaits, or square-bill crankbaits seems to get the best results for bass around these areas.

Striped bass are continuing to provide solid action, especially around the cove entrances near Vegas Wash and Boulder Basin. The stripers have been feeding heavily on live shad and cut anchovies, which remain the top choice for bait. If you prefer artificial lures, three-inch silver swimbaits, Kastmasters, and Jumpin Minnows are catching plenty of subsurface fish. Early morning and dusk are the key times for hitting striper hard. Casting or trolling these lures in those fringes where baitfish congregate tends to be productive.

Crappie anglers should check out the Overton Arm, where jigs are still bringing decent action, especially near submerged structures. Catfish are taking cut anchovies well in the evening hours too, so if you like nighttime fishing, that’s a good option.

Two hot spots I recommend today would be the weed lines along Callville Bay for bass and the cove entrances around Vegas Wash for stripers. Both locations have been producing steadily despite the warmer conditions.

In summary, the key to success now is to fish the cooler parts of the day, use live or fresh cut bait where possible for stripers and catfish, and target structure with soft plastics or crankbaits for bass. The water clarity is good, and a gentle breeze will help keep fish active near shorelines and deeper drop-offs.

Get out there early or come back at dusk, and you should see some solid catches today. Good luck and tight lines!

Good morning, Lake Mead anglers! Artificial Lure here with your fishing report for Monday, May 5, 2025.

Another hot desert day is upon us with temperatures expected to hit triple digits by midday. It's currently clear skies with just a light breeze – perfect early morning conditions before the heat kicks in. No tides to worry about on our freshwater paradise, but you'll want to time your fishing with the cooler hours. Sunrise was at 5:43 am and sunset will be around 7:33 pm tonight.

The heat pattern continues to push our fish deeper, folks. Over the weekend, both largemouth and smallmouth bass have been retreating to cooler, deeper waters. If you're targeting bass today, you'll need to slow your presentation down and focus on structure in deeper zones. Soft plastics worked slowly near drop-offs have been producing decent results, especially around Calville Bay and Hemenway Harbor, but you'll need some patience and finesse.

Striped bass remain the hot ticket at Lake Mead right now. They're hitting consistently on live shad and cut anchovies – those anchovies are absolute money at Mead, as always. For quantity fishing, chunk those anchovies and fish them off the bottom during mornings and evenings. If you're casting, silver swimbaits around 3 inches, Kastmasters, and Jumpin Minnows have all been effective when the stripers are actively feeding subsurface.

For you striper hunters, the cove entrances around Vegas Wash area have been particularly productive for boaters. I'm also hearing good reports from Boulder Basin if you're looking to fill a cooler.

Catfish action has been hit or miss lately, but worth a try if you've got some extra anchovies. With these warming temperatures, I expect the catfish bite to improve in the coming days.

As for hot spots, I'd recommend giving Government Wash a try early this morning – several anglers reported good striper action there yesterday. Echo Bay has also been producing some quality fish for those willing to make the trip.

Remember, with these temperatures climbing, it's critical to hit the water either at first light or in those golden hours before sunset. Stay hydrated out there, keep your catch cool, and treat our beautiful Lake Mead with respect.

This is Artificial Lure signing off – tight lines and see you on the water!

Good morning from Lake Mead, this is Artificial Lure with your fresh fishing report for May 4, 2025.

Folks, we're continuing to see that desert heat cranking up early this year. Today's looking to hit around 89 degrees by mid-afternoon, with a gentle breeze from the southeast at about 5-8 mph. Sunrise was at 5:43 AM, and we'll see sunset tonight at 7:32 PM, giving you plenty of daylight hours on the water.

Lake Mead's water temperature has climbed to 72 degrees in the shallows, pushing a lot of the bass action deeper as we move into this early summer pattern. The water level is rising very slowly, which is good news after the past few years.

The striped bass bite has been steady this past week, especially in the early mornings. Anglers working the deep points near Boulder Basin with anchovies and cut bait are pulling in decent numbers, with some reports of 3-5 pounders being common. If you're a lure guy like me, try white swim baits or silver spoons at depths between 25-40 feet once the sun gets high.

Largemouth and smallmouth bass are transitioning to their summer patterns. They've moved off their spawning beds, and the most productive fishing has been happening in the 15-25 foot range near structure. Texas-rigged worms in watermelon or pumpkin colors have been productive, as have deep-diving crankbaits in shad patterns.

Crappie fishing has been hit or miss, but if you locate a school, you can fill a cooler pretty quick. Small jigs tipped with minnows around submerged brush piles in Overton Arm have been the ticket.

For those looking for hot spots, I'd recommend the backs of coves in the Temple Bar area where you'll find some decent shade and structure for bass, or try Hemenway Harbor for striper action. The Government Wash area has also been producing some quality fish, especially if you're willing to get out there before the sun comes up.

Catfish action is picking up nicely in the evenings, particularly around Las Vegas Bay. Chicken liver or cut shad have been working well when fished along the bottom.

Remember to stay hydrated out there as we're getting into that time of year when the desert heat can sneak up on you. Bring plenty of water, wear your sun protection, and don't forget your fishing license.

This is Artificial Lure signing off for today. Tight lines, everyone, and I'll catch you tomorrow with another Lake Mead fishing report.

Artificial Lure here with your Lake Mead fishing report for Saturday, May 3, 2025.

We’re seeing classic early May conditions around the lake. Sunrise was at 5:45 AM and sunset rolls in at 7:35 PM, giving anglers a long window for action. The weather is shaping up warm and dry, with temperatures climbing past 100 degrees by midday, so the best bites are happening in the cooler early mornings and just before dusk. Expect mostly sunny skies and calm winds—ideal for working both the shore and open water.

Striped bass are the star of the show this week. Anglers are having good luck trolling and casting near the Vegas Wash and the cove entrances, especially with live shad and cut anchovies. For those leaning toward artificials, three-inch silver swimbaits as well as Kastmasters and Jumpin Minnows are getting solid results just under the surface. Some nice stripers have been landed in the 3 to 7-pound range, mostly early before the lake heats up too much[1].

Bass fishing—both largemouth and smallmouth—has been a touch more challenging after a hot stretch pushed the fish deeper during the day, but try the weedy shorelines around Calville Bay and Hemenway Harbor at sunup or sundown. The bite picks up in these areas as the bass move up shallow to feed and prepare for the tail end of their spawn. Natural-colored plastics and finesse jigs have been go-to picks for working the edges and weed beds[1][5].

Don’t overlook the crappie either. Overton Arm has produced some nice slabs lately on small jigs, especially if you can find submerged brush or rock piles off points. Catfish are active after dark in the same coves, especially if you toss in cut anchovies or chicken liver and settle in for a night bite[1].

Lake Mead’s water levels have remained steady and since there’s no tidal effect here, pay attention to where structure and current are strongest. Top hot spots for this week include the Vegas Wash area for stripers and the weedy shallows around Calville Bay for bass. Overton Arm gets another nod for crappie and the occasional bonus catfish.

To sum it up: focus on the early or late hours, bring both bait and artificials, and move around until you locate those active schools. Plenty of fish are being caught, from hefty stripers to a mix of bass and panfish. Tight lines, and I’ll see you on the water[1][5].

Good morning from Lake Mead, this is Artificial Lure with your fresh fishing report for May 2, 2025.

The desert’s heating up fast and we’re already seeing those triple-digit temperatures, so it’s best to hit the water early or wait until just before sunset. Sunrise today is around 5:44 am, and sunset’s set for 7:32 pm, giving you a sweet window to fish during cooler hours. No tides to worry about here, but the weather has been hot, dry, and clear, with just a light breeze—classic Lake Mead spring conditions.

Bass fishing has gotten a bit tough this past week as both largemouth and smallmouth are moving deeper to escape the heat. You’ll want to fish deeper water with slow presentations if you’re targeting bass. Try working soft plastics near structure or dragging jigs along drop-offs. The weedy shorelines around Calville Bay and Hemenway Harbor have still given up a few nice black bass, but patience and a finesse approach are your best bet right now[1].

Striped bass are the main story at the moment. They’re hitting best on live shad and cut anchovies—anchovies are always a winner at Lake Mead. If you’re after numbers, chunk up some anchovies and fish them off the bottom, especially in the mornings and evenings. Silver swimbaits around three inches, Kastmasters, and Jumpin Minnows are also pulling in stripers when subsurface fish are active. Boaters are finding good striper action at cove entrances around the Vegas Wash area[1].

For those interested in panfish, crappie activity has picked up in the Overton Arm. Small jigs bounced near submerged brush or drop-offs are catching a few slabs. Catfish are also starting to bite, with anglers using cut anchovies after dark seeing some success.

Quick rundown on what’s working:
- Best lures: Silver swimbaits, Kastmasters, Jumpin Minnows, and soft plastics for bass
- Best bait: Live shad and cut anchovies, both for stripers and catfish
- Timing: Early morning and late evening are key due to rising temps

Hot spots to try include the weedy edges by Calville Bay and Hemenway Harbor for bass, and the cove entrances near Vegas Wash for stripers. For crappie, Overton Arm is your best shot.

The fishing’s still rated good overall as long as you adapt to the conditions and beat the heat by starting early or finishing late[1].

Tight lines and stay hydrated out there!

Good morning, this is Artificial Lure with your Lake Mead fishing report for Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

We are rolling into classic spring weather today. Expect clear skies and crisp air, with the highs peaking in the low 70s. First light hit at 614 a.m. and you can fish until sunset at 723 p.m. Winds are mild and the water levels are steady, making for easy launching and comfortable boat rides. Since Lake Mead is landlocked, there is no tide influence to worry about.

Bass fishing is hot right now as both largemouth and smallmouth are active and moving into shallower areas, especially early and late in the day. Most anglers are catching bass in the 2 to 4 pound range, with a few heavier five pounders reported this week. Bass are staging on beds in the shallow coves, especially near Calville Bay and Hemenway Harbor. Your best bet is green pumpkin or watermelon soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and football jigs tipped with craw trailers. Early mornings and shady banks have been great for topwater lures like Zara Spooks. For sight fishing, jerkbaits and crankbaits in purple or craw colors have also produced solid action.

Striped bass are showing up in good numbers, particularly in the deeper sections and at the cove entrances around Vegas Wash. Most are being taken on live shad and cut anchovies, but three inch silver swimbaits and Kastmasters have been working well for anglers targeting them below the surface. Some stripers pushing the ten pound mark have been caught, and there are even reports of the occasional twenty pounder. If you find a boil, toss a topwater bait in for some fast action.

Crappie action is steady, especially up in the Overton Arm where 10 to 12 inch slabs have been caught regularly this week. Small jigs are the ticket—bring a selection of colors to see what they want day to day.

Catfish are starting to stir, with cut baits like anchovies drawing bites around sunset and after dark.

For hotspots, set your sights on the rocky points and coves at Calville Bay and Hemenway Harbor for both bass and stripers. Overton Arm remains your go-to for crappie and is worth a visit if you want some tasty panfish to take home.

That’s the report for today. The weather is perfect and the bite is on, so grab those rods and enjoy a day on Lake Mead. Tight lines, folks.

Artificial Lure reporting from Lake Mead on this fine April 23, 2025. We’re having another classic spring day for fishing out here with perfect conditions greeting anglers since sunrise at 6:14 AM. Look for sunset at 7:23 PM giving you a generous window for casting lines. Skies are clear again with temperatures hitting the low 70s, rising toward the 80s as the day goes on. Winds should stay calm, with just enough breeze in the afternoon to liven up the bite a bit.

The water is steady and Lake Mead may be landlocked, but the fish have been anything but stuck in a rut. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are pushing in shallow, especially mornings and late evenings as they start thinking about the spawn. There have been lots of 2-to-4 pounders landed lately and some pushing up to 5 pounds. Best action for bass is happening along the weedy shorelines near Calville Bay and Hemenway Harbor. If you’re fishing for bass, try Texas-rigged plastics, green pumpkin jigs, or shallow-diving crankbaits. Don’t be afraid to skip a senko under the shady spots if the sun gets high.

It’s a striper show for much of the lake right now, with 5-to-10 pounders coming steady, especially from Boulder Basin and Hemenway Harbor. Anchovy chunks and live shad are still king for stripers, but if you want to cover more water, tie on a three-inch silver swimbait or try trolling a deep-diving crankbait in a shad pattern. Kastmasters and Jumpin Minnows are also catching subsurface stripers for the folks working points and ledges.

Crappie have started popping off nicely up in the Overton Arm. Anglers are filling stringers with fish in the 10-to-12 inch range. Small jigs and minnows near submerged brush or docks are the ticket—look for quiet pockets off the main channel.

With water temps warming by the hour, best fishing is still early and late. Catfish have also shown up for folks soaking cut bait or nightcrawlers at cove entrances, especially around the Vegas Wash area.

No tidal swings to worry about, just keep a close eye on water levels and launch ramps.

Hot spots this week: Hemenway Harbor for stripers and bass, Overton Arm for crappie, and Calville Bay shorelines for early-morning bass.

Get out here early, enjoy the spring bite, and as always, if the fish aren’t biting, change up your depth and keep moving. Tight lines from your local expert, Artificial Lure.

Artificial Lure here with your fresh fishing report for Lake Mead and surrounding waters on Monday, April 21, 2025.

We’re enjoying a beautiful run of classic spring weather on Mead right now. Today’s forecast calls for sunny skies, highs in the low 70s, and light breezes. First light hit at 6:14 a.m. and you’ll have daylight all the way through sunset at 7:23 p.m. The lake remains steady on water levels, with no tidal influence to worry about since we’re landlocked out here. All in all, it’s prime time to get out and fish.

Fish activity is turned up, with all the usual suspects biting well. The bass bite is especially strong—both largemouth and smallmouth are up shallow in the mornings and evenings as they stage for the spawn. Most folks are landing bass between 2 and 4 pounds, but we’ve seen a few fat 5-pounders caught this week, especially smallies. Striped bass are schooling up in deeper water and are hitting hard, with regular catches in the 5-10 pound range and reports of a couple over 20 pounds landed recently. The crappie bite is also hot, particularly up on the Overton Arm, with fish averaging 10 to 12 inches.

As far as what’s working, green pumpkin or watermelon soft plastics have been the ticket for bass. Spinnerbaits and football jigs with craw trailers are producing in deeper or rocky spots. If you’re out early or working shaded edges, tie on a topwater like a Zara Spook—those surface strikes have been aggressive. For stripers, cut anchovies are still the gold standard, fished deep or even trolled behind the boat. Crappie are hitting well on small jigs and minnow baits.

If you’re looking for hot spots, Overton Arm is hands down your best bet for crappie right now. For bass and stripers, try Government Wash and Boulder Basin, especially along points with structure. The Narrows is also holding solid numbers of stripers right now.

With the weather settled, water temps ideal, and fish in full spring pattern, there isn’t a much better time to hit Lake Mead. Good luck, and I’ll see you on the water!

Lake Mead Fishing Report for Sunday, April 20, 2025

This is Artificial Lure, your local angling expert, with today’s Lake Mead report. Spring is really showing off, and fishing conditions are just about perfect right now. Sunrise came at 6:14 AM and sunset will be at 7:23 PM, so there’s plenty of daylight to get on the water and make something happen. It’s a beautiful day out here, with clear skies and the temperature sitting comfortably in the low 70s. Winds are calm and steady, offering some of the nicest fishing weather we’ve seen in a while[1][4].

While Lake Mead is landlocked and unaffected by ocean tides, water levels have remained steady, which only helps the bite. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are active, making pushes into shallow coves and rocky points, especially in the early morning and evening as they prepare for the spring spawn. Most bass being caught are in the healthy 2 to 4-pound range, and there have been a few pushing 5 pounds. The best lures this week have been green pumpkin or watermelon soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and square-bill crankbaits[1][4]. Work these around submerged vegetation and rocky points, particularly near Callville Bay.

Striped bass fishing is booming too, especially out in the deeper water. Anglers are reporting stripers in the 5 to 10-pound range as an average, with some hauling in fish over 20 pounds, particularly by trolling deep-diving crankbaits or silver spoons. Cut anchovies and live shad are also catching plenty of stripers, with Boulder Basin and Hemenway Harbor being the top spots lately[1][4][5].

Crappie are still biting well up in the Overton Arm, with fish from 10 to 12 inches being common. Small jigs are the go-to for crappie at the moment[1][5].

A couple of hot spots worth checking out today:
First, the coves around Callville Bay for bass, especially at sunrise and sunset. Second, Boulder Basin and Hemenway Harbor for those chasing stripers. And if you’re after a mixed bag, take a run up to Overton Arm for crappie and maybe a bonus bass or striper.

In short, you really can’t go wrong with green pumpkin soft plastics or spinnerbaits for bass, and live shad or cut anchovies for stripers. Today’s weather, stable water, and fish on the move mean you ought to get your line wet and see what Lake Mead’s spring has in store. Tight lines, and happy fishing[1][2][4].