Fishing Lake Mead in the Fall: Stripers, Bass, and More Amid the Heat

As of October 6, 2024, Lake Mead is offering some exciting fishing opportunities despite the challenging summer conditions. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

### Weather and Time
Today, the weather at Lake Mead is expected to be hot, with temperatures reaching up to 95°F. Sunrise was at 6:33 AM, and sunset will be at 6:04 PM. Given the warm weather, it's crucial to stay hydrated and plan your fishing trips during the cooler hours.

### Fish Activity
Striped bass are particularly active around dawn and dusk, providing lively action during these cooler periods. Anglers have reported good success using hard plastics in shad patterns, especially when thrown to a boil where stripers are voraciously feeding on shad at the surface. Black bass fishing remains slow, but persistent anglers have found some success around Las Vegas Bay using topwater poppers and Chatterbaits.

### Best Lures and Bait
For striped bass, live shad is the best bait, but store-bought anchovies also work well. Chumming with anchovies and corn is highly effective; fish over the chum for at least an hour before moving to a different spot. Kast-Masters or swim baits jigged over schools of fish can also yield good results. For black bass, topwater lures and Chatterbaits are recommended. If you're targeting catfish and carp, Hemenway is a promising spot, with frequent catches reported using anchovies and corn, especially in the late afternoon.

### Hot Spots
- **Las Vegas Bay**: This area has seen some success for black bass using topwater poppers and Chatterbaits.
- **Hemenway**: A good spot for catfish and carp, with anglers reporting frequent catches using anchovies and corn.
- **Overton Arm**: Known for good top-water action for striped bass, especially during the cooler hours of the day.

### Tidal Report
Lake Mead is a freshwater lake and does not have tides, so you don't need to worry about tidal changes affecting your fishing.

In summary, plan your fishing trip around the cooler hours of dawn and dusk, use the right lures and bait, and head to the recommended hot spots for a rewarding day on Lake Mead. Remember to stay safe and hydrated in the hot weather.