Beating the Heat: Fishing Lake Mead's Striped Bass, Bass, Catfish, and Carp Bounty

As of October 20, 2024, Lake Mead is offering some exciting fishing opportunities despite the challenging summer weather. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

### Weather and Timing
The weather is expected to be hot, with temperatures soaring above 100 degrees during the day. The best times to fish are early morning and late evening when the temperatures are more manageable. Sunrise today is at around 6:30 AM, and sunset is at about 5:30 PM.

### Fish Activity
Striped bass are highly active around dawn and dusk, providing lively action during these cooler hours. They can be found feeding voraciously on shad at the surface, creating "boils" that are ideal for casting. Black bass fishing has been slow, but persistent anglers have found some success around Las Vegas Bay using topwater poppers and Chatterbaits. Channel catfish and carp are also active, particularly in the late afternoon, and can be caught using anchovies and corn at spots like Hemenway.

### Best Lures and Bait
For striped bass, hard plastics in shad patterns are the lure of choice, often drawing strikes when thrown to a boil. Live shad is the best bait, but store-bought anchovies also work well. For black bass, topwater poppers and Chatterbaits are recommended. For catfish and carp, anchovies and corn are the preferred baits.

### Hot Spots
- **Las Vegas Bay**: This area has seen some success for black bass using topwater poppers and Chatterbaits.
- **Hemenway**: A promising spot for catching channel catfish and carp, especially with anchovies and corn in the late afternoon.

### Additional Tips
Chumming is allowed and can be effective; use anchovies or corn to attract fish. Be prepared for the heat by carrying plenty of water, and check the weather forecast before boating as the lake can get very windy and rough.

Overall, patience and strategic timing are key to a rewarding day on the water at Lake Mead. Enjoy your fishing trip