Lake Mead Fishing Report: Stripers, Bass, and Panfish Bites on June 21st, 2025

Artificial Lure here with your June 21st, 2025 Lake Mead, Nevada fishing report.

Sunrise threw its first light on the water at 5:21 AM and sunset will wrap things up at 7:59 PM. With temps pushing over 100 degrees today, anglers need to get out early or wait for the late evening cooldown if you want to beat the heat and catch some fish. Lake Mead doesn’t experience true oceanic tides, but fluctuating water levels and wind can create some “faux-tide” effects, especially in shallow coves, so always be mindful near drop-offs and points.

Striped bass action has stayed strong, especially around the cove entrances in the Vegas Wash area. Most stripers are hitting live shad and cut anchovies, but don’t overlook three-inch silver swimbaits, Kastmasters, and Jumpin’ Minnows for those subsurface bites. According to Sportsman's Warehouse, boating anglers have reported steady limits using these baits recently. Fish are stacking up in 20 to 30 feet of water once the sun’s fully up—target those depths for your best shot.

Black bass—both largemouth and smallmouth—have moved deeper thanks to the hot weather, making morning and shady spots your prime targets. Drop-shot rigs with creature baits, deep-diving crankbaits, and finesse plastics like Roboworms are getting the most action, especially near the weedy shorelines of Calville Bay and Hemenway Harbor. Multiple guides and reports note that shade pockets, no matter how small, are key. If you spot even a single bush or big rock casting a shadow, there’s a good chance you’ll find a bass lurking underneath.

For you reaction bait fans, topwater lures like Spooks, poppers, and ploppers are still drawing surface strikes early and late. Spinnerbaits such as the Phenix Pro-Series Spinnerbait—Lake Mead Special—are top choices if you’re fishing heavy cover or grass lines. Glide baits and jerkbaits can get you those bigger bites, and don’t forget about buzzbaits, especially before the sun burns off the morning calm.

If panfish are your thing, bluegill and catfish action has picked up near 33-Hole, with nightcrawlers and hot dogs providing steady action. The Overton Arm is seeing a resurgence of crappie, mainly caught on white or chartreuse jigs—nice slabs measuring 10 to 12 inches are being pulled up.

Today’s hot spots: Vegas Wash cove entrances for stripers, Calville Bay and Hemenway Harbor weed lines for bass, and 33-Hole for panfish and cats. Look for crappie activity up in Overton Arm.

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