With a slight reprieve from the heat going into the weekend, now is a good time to get out on the water. Anglers are finding the best odds of netting shad early in the morning, and that leads to good fishing for striped bass. Coves around Government Wash have been producing quality fish, including largemouth, smallmouth and striped bass. In addition to live shad, various lures and reaction baits have been tempting fish to strike. With the current water levels at the lake, it is recommended that boaters check the Park Service website (nps.gov/lakemead) for launch ramp updates and alerts within the National Recreation Area.