Location
and Overview Just
off U.S. 95 on the northwest edge of Las Vegas sits Floyd Lamb Park, a small green oasis in the middle of southern Nevada's arid desert
(check out the map). Floyd Lamb
Park is home to four separate ponds, and is a perfect opportunity to
get some fishing in while visiting the area, or for locals to wet a
line without having to drive very far from home. Originally known as
Tule Springs, the park area has a long history dating from its role
as an ancient watering hole up through its current use as a recreation
area for picnickers and fishermen. Formerly a state park, it was acquired by the City of Las Vegas in 2007, and is now officially known as Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs.
Fishin'
Floyd Lamb Park
The
largest of the four ponds within the park is Tule Springs Lake, which
is stocked with rainbow trout during the winter months and channel catfish
during the summer when the water temperatures rise too high to support
trout. A native largemouth bass population also lives in all four lakes,
along with bluegill and redear and green sunfish. The catch rate for
largemouth bass is low, but this doesn't stop local anglers from trying their luck. Better results can be had with the catfish and rainbows
during their respective seasons. Try Power Bait, salmon eggs, or small
lures for trout, and dough bait for catfish.
The
park is a day use only facility (see hours below), and
has numerous picnic tables and clean, well-maintained public restrooms.
Admission costs $6 per vehicle per day, or an annual use pass can be
purchased for $45. Abundant parking is located along Tule Springs Road,
which skirts the western and northern edges of the park.
Bait
and tackle are not sold within the park, but are available at any sporting
goods store or bait shop in town. Las Vegas also boasts a Bass
Pro Shops store, which carries just about everything you'll ever
need for fishing.
Weather
While nearly everyone is familiar with how hot Las Vegas can get in
the summertime, it may surprise some folks to know that winters can
get downright cold. High temperatures during the winter months can be
as low as the 40's, with the occasional early morning snow flurry, but
highs in the 50's and 60's are more common. Summer highs can reach
115 degrees or higher, with high temperatures averaging between 100
and 107. Under these kind of conditions, a hat and sun protection are
a must. Rember that no matter what the season, southern Nevada is typically
very dry, so take along a lot of water to avoid dehydration.
Click
here to see current weather conditions and forecasts for the city
of Las Vegas.
Lodging
and Camping
No camping is permitted within Floyd Lamb Park, but with more hotels
in town than you can shake a stick at, lodging is rarely a problem in
Las Vegas. Just remember that room rates and availability can vary depending
on the time of year and the day of the week, so make sure to check on
rates and make a reservation before going. Some of the large hotels
feature RV parking with hookups, and there are a few independent RV
parks in town as well. The Las Vegas Leisure Guide website features
a list
of RV parks in and around the Las Vegas Area.
Licensing
and Regulations
Anglers fishing in Floyd Lamb Park must have a valid Nevada fishing
license, and a three-fish possession limit applies. Fishing is only
allowed during the park's normal hours of operation, which are from 8 am to 8 pm May through August and from 9 am to 5 pm September through April.
Remember that you must have a trout stamp if fishing for trout, and
that only one pole may be used unless you purchase a second pole stamp.
