Fishing Lake Mead: Stripers, Bass, and Bluegill Abound on the Nevada Waters

As of November 21, 2024, the fishing scene at Lake Mead, Nevada, is looking promising. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

### Weather and Tidal Conditions
The weather is expected to be mild with clear skies, making it an ideal day for fishing. Since Lake Mead is a freshwater lake, tidal conditions do not apply, but water levels can fluctuate. Currently, the water level is stable, which is beneficial for consistent fishing spots.

### Sunrise and Sunset
Sunrise today is at around 6:30 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 4:30 PM. Early mornings and late afternoons are typically the best times to catch fish.

### Fish Activity
Fish activity has been robust, especially for striped bass, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. Trolling umbrella rigs has been highly effective for striped bass, with catches ranging from 9 to 28 pounds reported recently[1][5].

### Types and Amounts of Fish
Bass anglers are still catching smallmouth and largemouth bass close to shore using finesse baits, jigs, and occasionally crankbaits. Big bluegill are also being caught, often incidental to fishing for crappie or redear, particularly around Echo Bay[1].

### Best Lures and Bait
For striped bass, trolling umbrella rigs is the way to go. For bass, finesse baits, jigs, and crankbaits are working well. Drop-shots and Texas-rigs with soft plastics like Senkos are also effective, especially in rocky drop-offs and the backs of coves[1][4].

### Hot Spots
- **Government Wash area**: This spot has been consistent for bass anglers using finesse baits and jigs.
- **Virgin Basin**: Another good spot for bass, especially early in the morning.
- **Echo Bay**: Great for catching big bluegill and other panfish.
- **Rocky drop-offs and shelves on the Nevada side of the dam**: These areas are producing nice smallmouth bass using drop-shots and jigs[1].

Overall, Lake Mead is offering a variety of fishing opportunities, and with the right lures and knowledge of the hot spots, you should have a productive day on the water.