Best Fishing in the Las Vegas Area: Trophy Bass & Trout

lake fishing — Lake Mead offers excellent scenery, great bass fishing, and plenty of water sports near Las Vegas.

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Most people don’t think of fishing when they envision their getaway trip to Las Vegas. That is unfortunate since excellent and even world-class fishing can be found within an hour of the city.

As long as you are willing to rent some gear, buy a fishing license, put a few miles on that rental car, and leave the wife and her friends by the pool for a few hours, you can have a great fishing experience.

What are the best fishing locations around Las Vegas? Lake Mead, located less than an hour from Las Vegas, boasts world-class largemouth bass and striped bass fishing among other species.

This lake offers you the best chance at landing a trophy-class fish. Within the city of Las Vegas, Floyd Lamb park offers stocked trout and some very big catfish and largemouth bass.

Let’s take a closer look at every major and minor fishing destination and site in and around the city of Las Vegas. All of these locations are within 3 hours drive of McCarran International Airport and easily doable while on vacation in Las Vegas.

If you are interested in renting a boat for a day of water adventure, fishing, or relaxation in Las Vegas or anywhere across the country, you should check out BoatSetter. You can rent boats from boat owners for the day or for a couple of days. Think AirBnB but for boats.

We have also highlighted awesome fishing guides and charters in Destin (FL), Los Angeles/Huntington Beach, Orlando (FL), Lakeside Marblehead (OH), Outer Banks (NC), San Francisco, and Myrtle Beach (SC). If you want to discover the best fishing charters & guide services in those regions, check out these links.

Featured Fishing Guides at Lake Mead (Less than Hour Away)

Fish Angler’s Edge (Boulder City)

Join Captain John Wood aboard his 22′ Nitro Bay Boat for a full morning of great striped bass, smallmouth bass, or largemouth bass fishing.

You will have your best chance at big stripers and bass with this experienced guide. Located within an hour of Las Vegas, you will be back in time for the afternoon shows. All gear, tackle, and bait is included. You are just responsible for bringing sunscreen, food, and beverages.

This boat can accommodate up to 3 anglers and is kid-friendly. If you want an escape from Las Vegas and a chance at catching some big fish, this is your guide. Be sure to check out the catch photos and read the reviews from happy clients.

To be guaranteed the best deal on morning fishing trips with Fish Angler’s Edge, be sure to book through FishingBooker.com. Click here to check out the offer and see if it is what you’re looking for.

Big Water Boating (Boulder City)

Step aboard Captain Eric Richins’ 17-foot Smoker Craft jet boat for a great day on gorgeous Lake Mead and surrounding waters. You’ll target striped bass, catfish, trout, bass, and others. Select from any number of private trips on Lake Mead and Mohave as well as the Colorado River.

The fishing is great and Capt. Eric will take you to the best spots. Every piece of gear is included. You just need to bring a fishing license, food, beverages, and sunblock.

Check out the guide’s page and read the reviews. Be sure to browse through the photos to see past catches of happy anglers.

Best Places to Fish In & Around Las Vegas

In Las Vegas

1. Sunset Park Pond

This 14-acre pond is located in the heart of Las Vegas and home to largemouth bass, black crappie, and rainbow trout.

Stocked with rainbow trout on a near weekly-basis and home to a resident population of black crappie and largemouth bass, this is worth sacrificing a few hours at the gaming venues and buffets to test out.

You probably won’t catch any really big fish here but it will more than whet your appetite and keep you sane. You must possess a valid Nevada fishing license as well as bring your own fishing gear.

2. Lorenzi Park Pond

This is one of the smallest bodies of fishable water in the Las Vegas area at around 3 acres in surface water but it can be an oasis in the Las Vegas desert.

This man-made pond located in a nice family park is only about 10-15 minutes from McCarran International Airport. This is one of the best urban fishing locations in the city.

This pond is stocked with trout and can offer a nice getaway from those guys wanting a little escape from the bustle of the strip.

There is no access fee or off-limit fishing areas so it is very accommodating. That said, you will need a Nevada state fishing license to go fishing and your own gear.

3. Floyd Lamb Park

If you want a chance with ‘Lady Luck’ outside of the casinos, head to this small urban oasis. Within the park are four ponds all containing fish but only one is regularly stocked.

Largemouth bass, catfish, bluegills, and rainbow trout are common catches here with some monster fish occasionally caught.

There are reports of channel cats weighing more than 20 pounds and 10-pound largemouth bass. That would be enough for me to sneak away from the slot machines for a few hours.

This park is located about 20 minutes away from the airport. You will catch an abundance of small fish with a chance at a real head-turner always a possibility. You do need a fishing license to fish here.

Within 3 Hours

1. Lake Mead

Lake Mead is one of the crown jewels of the American southwest and vitally important to the city of Las Vegas and its water supply.

Considered the largest reservoir in the United States spanning more than 150,000 acres, fed by the Colorado River and capped by the Hoover Dam, this is a major tourist destination for many people on its own.

But it is the fishing we are here to discuss. It is home to some very good rainbow trout, catfish, and crappie fishing but bass fishing is what people come here for.

It is one of the best fisheries for largemouth bass in the southwestern US and one of the nation’s very best striped bass lakes. This lake is home to big fish and less than an hour’s drive from the heart of Vegas.

2. Topock Gorge (Colorado River)

This fishing destination is located just across the border in Arizona so a valid Arizona fishing license is a must.

This is prime fishing located in the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge and fed by the majestic Colorado River. Here you can find very good fishing for panfish, bass, rainbow trout, carp, catfish, and striped bass.

There are reports of very big striped bass and catfish being caught in these waters. It’s a bit of a drive but well worth the hassle if you want some good fishing away from the crowds at Lake Mead.

3. Big Bend of Colorado River Recreation Area

This fishing destination is located near Laughlin and still within the state of Nevada so you must obtain a valid Nevada fishing license. This is a scenic stretch of the Colorado River boasting very good trout fishing as well as some good bass and carp.

The scenery is very nice and the fishing can be even better. It will take you about 2 hours to drive here from Las Vegas.

Best Bass Fishing Near Las Vegas

There are a lot of really good options for bass fishing to include ponds within the city limits. That said, there is no better opportunity for bass fishing than Lake Mead.

Professional and weekend anglers alike flock to this desert gem every year chasing big largemouth bass and one of the best freshwater striped bass fisheries in the entire country.

Located less than an hour outside of Las Vegas, the bass fishing here is nearly unbeatable year-round.

Of course, you have plenty of other reasons to visit including swimming, sightseeing, taking helicopter rides around the lake, water sports, and walking across the Hoover Dam. It is worth a multi-day visit if you want some R&R away from Sin City.

Best Trout Fishing Near Las Vegas

There are a few good locations for trout fishing in and around Las Vegas. If you don’t want to leave the city, Floyd Lamb is probably your best option as these fish are stocked weekly.

You also have the chance of catching very large bass and catfish. If you are willing to leave the city, the best trout fishing can be found on the Colorado River either at Topock Gorge or Big Bend at different locations along the Colorado River.

Just be advised, to fish Topock, you will need a valid Arizona state fishing license but the fishing is worth it.

Lake Mead also offers really good trolling opportunities for big rainbow trout. But for the best fly fishing experiences for trout, fish the Colorado.

Licenses & Considerations

Every fishing location on this list will require a valid Nevada state fishing license. You can obtain cheaper short-term licenses or pay full price if you plan to return to Vegas later in the year.

The only exception to this rule is Topock Gorge which actually requires a valid Arizona fishing license because it is located in the stretch of Colorado River that crosses into Arizona.

Be mindful of the weather. Summer-time temperatures through southern Nevada can border 100 degrees and the arid humidity-levels mean you can lose a lot of sweat without even feeling it.

These areas can also get windy which can kick up sand and make it hard to see. During the winter, temperatures can get remarkably cold especially at night so make sure to bring some extra layers.