Artificial Lure here with your Colorado River Las Vegas fishing report for Monday, November 17, 2025. We’re rolling into late fall, and it’s a crisp one out on the water—temps kicked off in the upper 40s at sunrise, expected to top out in the low 60s by early afternoon. Skies are mostly clear with a light breeze out of the north, keeping things brisk but not enough to spook the bait schools. Sunrise hit at 6:22 am, and we’ll see sunset at 4:38 pm, so your prime bites are once again stacked at first and last light.

Now, don’t sweat the tides—Lake Mead and the Colorado River around Vegas don’t see ocean tides, but the receding water levels have made for some real fish concentration on structure, humps, and drop-offs. The water’s clear and cool, sitting in the mid-50s, and the shad schools are thick, which means predator activity is red hot.

Striper action is running strong, especially for those up early working the main lake points and channel edges with cut bait. Cut anchovy and cut shad are absolutely killing it—anglers are bagging quick limits from Boulder Basin down through the narrows near Government Wash. Most stripers caught are in the 2- to 4-pound range, but if you’re patient and chase after those shadow lines and circling birds, some folks have hauled in bruisers over 7 pounds in the last week. Boaters who stick close to the shad schools are cashing in well before noon.

If you’d rather get after them with artificials, break out those white or chrome jigging spoons in the 1- to 2-ounce range and work them vertically over deep fish. Topwater bite is short but sweet at dawn—try a Zara Spook or Sammy walker along the rock walls and you just might see some explosive boils.

Bass anglers are staying active too. Smallmouth and largemouth both are on the chew, with smallies holding tight to deep rocky points near Temple Bar and Hemenway. Ned rigs in green pumpkin and watermelon are your best bet for numbers. For largemouth, target the shallow coves at sunup with soft plastic creature baits—you’ll pick up a mix of solid 2- to 4-pound fish, especially around submerged brush and sharp ledges. Deep-diving crankbaits in shad or craw patterns will also put in some work on bass staging near drop-offs.

The catfish bite remains decent after dark—try chunk baits or leftover cut bait near the mouth of Las Vegas Wash or in those quiet, sandy coves. Catfish catches lean toward the smaller eaters but there’s always a shot at a big blue if you hang around long enough. There’s even been an occasional walleye showing up for anglers slow-trolling nightcrawler rigs along the gravel bars, though that’s still a bonus fish this time of year.

A couple of hot spots today: first, the humps and flats just outside Hemenway Harbor are loaded with stripers at dawn and dusk—stack up there when the sun’s low for your best shot. Second, explore the coves north of Echo Bay; plenty of mixed bags to be had, with bass, stripers, and even the random walleye all in the mix, especially along the windblown points.

Remember, with dropping water levels, new rocks and hazards are popping up, so keep a close watch on your depth and the channel markers. The activity drops off sharply in the afternoons, so maximize your morning and evening efforts while the fish are schooling and hungry.

That’s your on-the-water update for today from Artificial Lure. Thanks for tuning in—don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a report or a hot tip! This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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