Fishing Report, July 26
■ LAKE MEAD – The water level is dropping about 6 inches to a foot each week. Watch out for newly exposed structure. Anglers are finding slow fishing for striped bass in the Boulder Basin and Overton Arm, but are still reeling in a few fish along the beach area north of Hemenway Harbor and in the Vegas Wash. Skinny fish reflect the low shad numbers in the basin. Small stripers are hitting cut baits in the Temple Bar area. On the other hand, smallmouth and largemouth bass are keeping anglers busy throughout the lake. Anglers are finding some top-water action in the early-morning hours.
■ LAKE MOHAVE – Fishing activity has slowed in the Cottonwood Cove area, though anglers are catching a few catfish. But anglers fishing south of the basin are catching smallmouth and largemouth bass in the coves. At Willow Beach, the striper bite has picked up, and anglers are catching large fish with such trout imitations as the Huddleston or A.C. Plug. According to reports, Alan Cole, inventor of the A.C. Plug, pulled in three double-digit stripers early this week. His catch included 10-, 22- and 32-pound fish.
■ LAUGHLIN – Fishing along the Colorado River has slowed, though rainbow trout, bluegill and striped bass can be caught along Casino Row and from there south past the Avi resort.
■ URBAN PONDS – Anglers have found fair action for bluegill and largemouth bass. Catfish action has slowed considerably. The next catfish plant will take place in mid-August. Limit is three fish.
■ KIRCH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA – Anglers who are willing to put up with seasonal weed growth can catch largemouth bass. Trout action is slow, and fishing is difficult.
■ EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR – Seasonal weed growth and an algae bloom have discouraged some anglers, but stocked rainbows have provided good fishing. Use mini-marshmallows combined with a small red worm to keep the bait out of the weeds. PowerBait also can be effective.
■ ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR – Anglers have found good action for largemouth bass. Brown Woolly Buggers have been effective for bass and rainbow trout. Soft plastics and other crawdad imitations should produce bass, too. Rainbow trout will also take PowerBait, worms and spinners.