Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Restrictions lifted on fishing from boats in Boulder Harbor

Boulder Harbor4

Heather Cory

Roland Galera throws a net into the water at the Boulder Harbor dock. It is expected that the harbor will be available for boaters to fish in 2009.

Updated Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008 | 2:51 p.m.

Fishing ban repealed at Boulder Harbor

Trish Hayes checks her days catch at the Boulder Harbor dock in this file photo from December. Natural causes have made it difficult for the Nevada Department of Wildlife to keep the lake stocked with fish in 2009. Launch slideshow »

Lake Mead's Boulder Harbor will reopen to boating anglers by early 2009, pending a filing by Secretary of State Ross Miller.

The Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners voted during its Nov. 22 meeting to lift a ban on boat fishing in the area, which was home to Lake Mead Marina before it moved nearly a year ago. The harbor is located between the Pyramid Island causeway and the water treatment plant off Lakeshore Drive.

The regulation was enacted in the harbor in the 1990s to lessen traffic around the old marina, Lt. Game Warden David Pfiffner said.

"Now with the lake levels going down and with the Lake Mead Marina moved, the area has become another viable fishing option," Pfiffner said. "Our goal is to have as many fishing options as possible, not to close things."

The secretary of state's filing process, which is generally a formality, should put the new regulation in effect by early January, Pfiffner said.

Lake Mead Marina moved to its current location at Hemenway Launch ramp last February due to the declining water levels. Repealing the law was slowed by the commission's meeting schedule.

"I think our anglers will enjoy it," Pfiffner said. "I'm sure the area will be used heavily by fishermen."

The harbor has been popular for land anglers since the marina vacated, but the regulation prohibited all fishing in the harbor. With a lack of boating tourists and congested docking, the regulation was rarely enforced.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area, the agency which maintains the area, constructed a fishing pier at the harbor shortly after the marina moved.

"We realized that when we put the pier at the harbor that we were in conflict, so we wanted to get the ball rolling as soon as possible," said Andrew Munoz, spokesman for the recreation area.

Munoz said he expects the waters to be popular with boating anglers looking for a new fishing spot.

The ramp at the boat launch ramp and the park service deck will still be off limits.

"It's really an ideal place for a fishing pier," Munoz said. "The harbor is surrounded on three sides so it's protected. Even on a windy day it's not bad and the water isn't too choppy."

Sean Ammerman can be reached at 990-2661 or [email protected].

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