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Nevada

Fishing

Fishing

Southern Region Regulations

Nevada Southern Region Map

Note: Changes to regulations are marked in blue.

The Southern Region includes the four counties of southern Nevada: Clark, Esmeralda, Lincoln and Nye. Popular fishing waters within this region include Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, the Colorado River, Eagle Valley Reservoir, Echo Canyon Reservoir, and the reservoirs on Kirch Wildlife Management Area. A number of small streams in northern Nye County provide wild trout fishing and a few are stocked with hatchery-reared rainbow trout. The Southern Region NDOW Office is located at 3373 Pepper Ln., Las Vegas, NV 89120, (702) 486-5127.

Important Note: Within the Southern Region the following general fishing seasons, hours, limits and regulations apply to all waters EXCEPT those listed under “Southern Region Special Regulations.” If the water in which you intend to fish is not listed under the Region’s Special Regulations, then the General Regulations shall apply.

All game fish must be dead before being transported away from the body of water where caught.

Attention Anglers!

Know your catch in the Colorado River

When fishing in Lakes Mead and Mohave, and the Colorado River below Davis Dam, it is essential to be able to identify two protected species of fish you may incidentally catch.

The possession of Razorback Sucker and Bonytail is prohibited!

These species are native to the Colorado River system and are endangered species. These fish can be mistaken for common carp or other unprotected species. Please help conserve native wildlife by immediately releasing these fish unharmed.

Bonytail Identification
Razorback Sucker Identification
Common Carp Identification

Southern Region General Regulations

Open year around, any hour of the day or night, except where noted under special regulations.

An AIS Decal Is not required for Arizona registered watercraft on Lake Mead/Mohave and the Colorado River. All Nevada registered motorized and non-motorized vessels must display a current Nevada AIS Decal.

Interstate Waters Fishing License Information

Lake Mead, Mohave, Colorado River: Persons under 12 years of age are not required to have a fishing license. Persons 12 years of age or older must have either a Nevada fishing license or a Nevada Interstate Boundary Waters license; a Nevada short-term fishing permit or an Arizona fishing license.

Southern Region Daily Limits

Except as noted under “Southern Region Special Regulations” the daily limits are as follows:

Clark, Esmeralda, Lincoln and Nye counties: the limit is 10 trout and 15 warmwater game fish of which not more than 10 may be black bass.

Possession Limits

The possession limit is two times the daily limit for the water in which the fish are caught. Possession limits apply to both general and special regulation waters.

Bait Regulations

See Fishing with Bait Fish for more regulations on the use of baitfish.

Tackle Restrictions

In Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, and the Colorado River, the use of more than two hooks for bait or flies is prohibited (Refer to NAC 503.590). See below and General Statewide Regulations for further information.

Artificial Lure Waters

See General Statewide Regulations.

Spearfishing

Persons may spearfish for striped bass in Lake Mead and in Lake Mohave from Cottonwood Cove to the cable below Hoover Dam. Spearfishing for striped bass is prohibited in that portion of Lake Mohave from Cottonwood Cove to Davis Dam and from Davis Dam down river to the Nevada state line. In Lakes Mead and Mohave and the Colorado River system, spearfishing is prohibited within 1/2 mile of any dock or swimming area. See Spearfishing/Bowfishing section in General Statewide Regulations for further information.

When spearfishing, a person must display, within 100 feet, an appropriate diver’s flag. A mechanical spearing device may be used only under the surface of the water, and the spear must be attached to the device by a lanyard. Fishing license regulations apply when spearfishing. (Refer to NAC 503.590-592)

Please contact the county you will be fishing in prior to assure you are in compliance with county regulations.

All Regulations are applicable to CR 23-15

Southern Region Special Regulations

Area

Season and Hours

Daily Limit

Clark County

Carpenter Canyon Creek

Year round; any hour of the day or night

2 trout

Clark County Urban Ponds: (Boulder City Pond/Veteran’s Memorial Park, Lorenzi Park Pond, Mesquite Urban Pond-Hafen Lane Pond, Sunset Park Pond, and Floyd Lamb Park Pond)

Year round; hours are when the park is open to public use.

3 game fish

Cold Creek Pond and Cold Creek

Year round; any hour of the day or night

3 game fish

Colorado River below Davis Dam

Year round; any hour of the day or night except in areas as posted.

5 trout, 6 black bass, 10 striped bass, and 25 catfish. Minimum size for black bass is 13 inches total length. No limit on other game fish.

Special Regulations: For bait restrictions see Fishing with Bait Fish.

Lake Mead

Year round; any hour of the day or night, except in areas as posted.

5 trout, 6 black bass, 25 catfish and 15 crappie. No limit on striped bass less than 20 inches total length. The daily limit on striped bass 20 inches total length or longer is 20 fish. *No limit on other game fish.

Special Regulations: For bait restrictions see Fishing with Bait Fish.

Lake Mohave

Year round; any hour of the day or night, except in areas as posted.

5 trout, 6 black bass, 25 catfish and 15 crappie. No limit on striped bass less than 20 inches total length. The daily limit on striped bass 20 inches total length or longer is 20 fish. No limit on other game fish.

Special Regulations: For bait restrictions see Fishing with Bait Fish.

Virgin River and Muddy (Moapa) River systems

Year round; any hour of the day or night

5 trout, 6 black bass, 25 catfish, 15 crappie, and 20 striped bass. No limit restriction on other game fish.

Lincoln County

Eagle Valley Reservoir and Meadow Valley Wash above the reservoir

Year round; any hour of the day or night.

5 trout and 15 warmwater game fish of which not more than 10 may be black bass.

Echo Canyon Reservoir

Year round; any hour of the day or night.

5 trout and 15 warmwater game fish of which not more than 10 may be black bass.

Nesbitt Lake (Key Pittman Wildlife Management Area)

Year round; any hour of the day or night except the portion above the old fence line as posted closed to entry from Feb. 15 - August 15 and closed to fishing during waterfowl season.

15 warmwater game fish of which not more than 10 may be black bass. No limit on bullheads (unlimited possession)

Special Regulations: See boat restrictions in Boating Regulations.

Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge

Year round; any hour of the day or night except North Marsh which is closed to fishing during the waterfowl hunting season.

3 trout and 15 warmwater game fish of which not more than 5 may be black bass.

Nye County

Beatty Urban Pond

Year round; any hour of the day or night.

3 game fish

Kirch Wildlife Management Area

Year round; any hour of the day or night, except the upper portions of Adams-McGill, Cold Springs and Haymeadow Reservoirs, which are closed to trespass Feb. 15 - August 15 as posted. A 100-yard area as posted around the inflow from Hot Creek to Adams-McGill Reservoirs is closed to fishing Jan. 1 - April 1.

5 trout and 15 warmwater game fish of which not more than 10 may be black bass. No limit on bullheads (unlimited possession). You may only possess 5 black bass from April 1 - June 30.

Special Regulations: See boat restrictions in Boating Regulations.

Kirch Wildlife Management Area Tule Reservoir

Open Aug. 16 - Feb. 14, any hour of the day or night.

5 trout and 15 warmwater game fish of which not more than 10 may be black bass. No limit on bullheads (unlimited possession).

Kirch Wildlife Management Area Dacey Reservoir

Year round except the upper portions of Dacey Reservoir closed to trespass Feb. 15 - Aug. 15 as posted. A 100-yard area as posted around the inflow from Hot Creek to Dacey Reservoir is closed to fishing Jan. 1 - April 1.

1 trout and 15 warmwater game fish of which not more than 10 may be black bass. No limit on bullheads (unlimited possession). Zero black bass (catch and release only) from April 1 through June 30.

Special Regulation: Artificial lures only, see General Statewide Regulations.

Upper Reese River and tributaries from the Arc Dome wilderness boundary south of the Yomba Shoshone Tribe Reservation to its headwaters

Year round; any hour of the day or night.

No limit on trout

Sportsman’s Park Pond

Year round; hours are when the park is open to public use.

3 game fish

Stewart Creek from its confluence with the Reese River to its headwaters

Year round; any hour of the day or night.

No limit on trout