04-21-2010, 06:35 AM
Without a doubt I recommend Sand Hollow, it is an easy drive north on I15 just outside of Saint George, Utah just a few miles east of the Zion exit before you reach Hurricane. It's about a 2 hour drive from most parts of Vegas. I just fished/camped there 4/18-4/19. LMB fishing there is awesome. The bass are shallow and spawning, the camp ground is new, clean and has hot showers. There is also primitive camping anywhere along the shore. As far as hiking, there's a little park N.P. called Zion nearby, but closer there is Snow Canyon in St. George and the red sand dunes and sand stone surrounding the lake itself. There are tons of bluegill in Sand Hollow as well but they have not moved up yet. When the bluegill do come up you'll be suprised they are huge. The largest bass I've seen pics of from Sand Hollow was 8 lbs, but the lake is new and the fish are still growing. Most fish there average a little over 2 lbs. The bass were hitting white spinner baits, top water baits, dark colored zipper worms, Yamamoto Spider jigs color 208 and 196, drop-shotted oxblood red robo worms, watermelon red/purple fleck gitzits and large beaver tails. I found fish in all water depths and in all stages of the spawn. If there is a lot of fishermen on the lake slow down and fish tight to the brush and cover, also work the sand stone near the main ramp where boats are prohibited, I saw a few beds there after I got blown off the lake today.
Echo Canyon near Pioche is fun but the bass and crappie are little.
If you dont mind a spartan camping trip, check out Nesbit Lake it is 100 miles north of Vegas, just north of Alamo. It is part of Key Pitman Wildlife Refuge, I only fish it in the spring and late fall to avoid bugs and the heat, but it is a fun lake. It has bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. The lake fishes like a southern lake, lots of cover and grass. This time of year I throw a spinnerbait and a wacky wormed senko to get the bass, but as it gets warmer I switch to frogs.
I attached a few Sand Hollow pics, didn't catch anything over 3 lbs on this trip so didn't pull out the camera. If you fish for bluegill at Sand Hollow right now tho, you might be suprised by what other bigger panfish you will catch, that officially the rangers deny being in the lake.
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Echo Canyon near Pioche is fun but the bass and crappie are little.
If you dont mind a spartan camping trip, check out Nesbit Lake it is 100 miles north of Vegas, just north of Alamo. It is part of Key Pitman Wildlife Refuge, I only fish it in the spring and late fall to avoid bugs and the heat, but it is a fun lake. It has bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. The lake fishes like a southern lake, lots of cover and grass. This time of year I throw a spinnerbait and a wacky wormed senko to get the bass, but as it gets warmer I switch to frogs.
I attached a few Sand Hollow pics, didn't catch anything over 3 lbs on this trip so didn't pull out the camera. If you fish for bluegill at Sand Hollow right now tho, you might be suprised by what other bigger panfish you will catch, that officially the rangers deny being in the lake.
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