The Colorado River Bounty: Stripers, Bass, and Trout in Las Vegas Paradise

Artificial Lure here, bringing you the latest from the Colorado River, Las Vegas stretch. Today is May 12th, 2025, and we’re seeing some mighty fine conditions out here—spring in full swing, and the river is giving up fish like it’s made for it.

Let’s talk weather first. Mornings are starting cool, right around the mid-60s. By the afternoon, you can expect temps to climb toward 80, with skies staying mostly clear and only a gentle breeze to keep things comfortable. Sunrise this morning was at 5:38 am, and we’ll see the sun set at 7:32 pm—plenty of daylight to get your lines in the water.

Now, you might be wondering about tides, but here on the Colorado around Vegas, we don’t get the ocean’s push and pull. Instead, river levels are influenced by water releases, and these days we’re seeing a slow rise through the morning and midday, which has been pushing fish toward the current breaks and shoreline cover. That means it’s a good time to work those coves and eddies, especially early and late in the day.

Fish activity is strong right now. Striped bass have been showing up in numbers, especially at dawn and dusk. Anglers are reporting catches up to five pounds, with cut anchovies and silver swimbaits doing great work. Jumpin’ Minnows and Kastmasters are also producing, especially when you’re covering water in deeper runs and along drop-offs. Bass action is heating up, and even the trout are biting steady, getting in on the spring feeding frenzy.

Recent catches include a good mix—stripers, bass, and trout—with plenty of action above and below Laughlin. Community Park and the area below Davis Dam are both hotspots where you’re likely to find a solid bite. These spots have been producing consistently, especially for those willing to put in the time and try different retrieves.

As for best lures and baits, you can’t go wrong with a silver swimbait or a fresh cut anchovy on your hook for stripers. If you’re after bass, try soft plastics or topwaters in the early morning. For trout, small spinners or bait under a bobber will get you bites, especially near the inflows and shaded banks.

Get out early, stay late, and keep moving. The bite is on, and the river is waiting. Artificial Lure, signing off—tight lines!