Fishing Report: Lake Mead Heats Up with Stripers, Bass, and Crappie Biting Early and Late

Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your local Lake Mead fishing report for Friday, May 23, 2025.

Lake Mead is heating up fast, with daytime highs topping 100 degrees this week. That means the best fishing has been in the early mornings right around sunrise, which hit at about 5:23 a.m. today, and again in the late evening as the sun sets close to 7:45 p.m. Winds are light so far this morning, and the skies are mostly clear—perfect conditions to hit the water before the real heat settles in.

Striped bass remain the main attraction and they’re biting well. The hot ticket for stripers has been live shad or cut anchovies, with reports of good catches from both shore and boat. Three-inch silver swimbaits, Kastmasters, and Jumpin Minnows are also putting plenty of fish in the cooler for those working the Vegas Wash, Boxcar Cove, and just outside Hemenway Harbor. Boating anglers have found solid action at the cove entrances and along deeper channel edges. Striper sizes are ranging from 1 to 5 pounds, with occasional bigger fish mixed in[1][3][4].

Black bass are a bit tougher right now. The recent jump in temperature has pushed them deeper and toward weedy edges. Drop-shot rigs with creature baits and deep-diving crankbaits are working, especially along shorelines near Calville Bay and Hemenway Harbor. The bass bite is best when the sun is low or even after dark, as the fish seek cooler depths to avoid the midday heat. Most anglers are reporting fish in the 1 to 3-pound range[1][4].

Crappie action has picked up nicely in the Overton Arm, with anglers having success on chartreuse jigs and tubes. Try working the submerged brush and structure early for your best shot[1][4]. Catfish are also getting more active as the water warms, with cut anchovies the top bait. Sunset seems to be the peak time to land a few whisker fish from shore.

No tidal report for Lake Mead since it’s a reservoir, but the recent stable weather is keeping fish patterns consistent. Typical baits like anchovies, shad, and plastics are your best bet.

Hot spots today include the cove entrances in the Vegas Wash for stripers, Overton Arm for crappie, and weedy shorelines near Calville Bay and Hemenway Harbor for black bass.

That’s your Lake Mead update for today. Stay cool, stay hydrated, and tight lines!