Lake Mohave, AZ

About Lake Mohave

Lake Mohave is a long, narrow Colorado River reservoir straddling the Arizona-Nevada border, impounded behind Davis Dam near Laughlin/Bullhead City and reaching upstream toward Hoover Dam. It is part of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and is best understood as two very different fisheries in one: a cold, clear, swift river-like stretch in the upper canyon below Hoover Dam (including Willow Beach), and a broader, warmer reservoir basin in the lower end near Cottonwood Cove and Katherine Landing. That split personality is exactly what makes Mohave such a versatile destination.

Anglers know Mohave for its striped bass and its trout. The frigid, oxygen-rich tailwater coming out of Hoover Dam historically supported a strong rainbow trout fishery in the upper river, while the rest of the lake produces striped bass, largemouth and smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and panfish. The scenery is dramatic desert canyon country, the water is famously clear, and the lake fishes year-round thanks to the mild Mohave Desert climate.

Fish Species

Lake Mohave holds a genuinely diverse mix of cold- and warm-water species:

• Striped bass — a marquee species lake-wide; fish range from schooling "schoolie" stripers to occasional larger loners. They roam open water chasing shad.
• Rainbow trout — concentrated in the cold upper river and the Willow Beach area, supported by the chilly water released from Hoover Dam.
• Largemouth bass — found around coves, rock, and structure in the warmer lower basin.
• Smallmouth bass — thrive in the clear, rocky canyon water and are a favorite among bass anglers here.
• Channel catfish — common throughout, especially in the warmer reaches and backwaters.
• Black crappie, bluegill, and other panfish — present around brush and cover, good for families and light tackle.

The standouts that put Mohave on the map are striped bass and rainbow trout, with quality smallmouth fishing in the clear rocky stretches as a strong third.

Best Seasons & Times

Spring is prime time. As water warms, largemouth and smallmouth move shallow to spawn around rock and gravel, and they bite aggressively. Stripers become more active and begin chasing shad. Trout fishing in the upper river stays steady.

Summer brings intense desert heat, so fishing windows shift to early morning and late evening. Stripers and bass go deeper or relate to shade and current during the day; topwater and surface "boils" of stripers feeding on shad can happen at first and last light. The cold upper river near Willow Beach stays comfortable for trout and is a heat refuge.

Fall is excellent as cooling water triggers feeding. Stripers chase bait heavily, smallmouth fatten up on the rocks, and surface action returns. Many regulars consider fall the best all-around fishing of the year.

Winter remains very fishable in the mild climate. Trout fishing in the upper, colder water is often at its best, and bass and stripers can still be caught with slower, deeper presentations. Midday is usually the most productive window in winter.

Techniques & Baits

Match your approach to the species and the part of the lake:

• Striped bass: Watch for surface boils and birds, then throw shad-imitating swimbaits, topwater walkers, and spoons. When fish are deep, troll or vertically jig spoons and swimbaits. Live or cut anchovies and shad are classic striper baits in this system.
• Rainbow trout (upper river/Willow Beach): Drift or anchor and fish PowerBait, nightcrawlers, or salmon eggs near the bottom; cast small inline spinners and spoons; or troll small minnow plugs and spoons in the cold current. Light line and a natural drift are key in the clear water.
• Smallmouth bass: Work the rocks and bluff edges with tubes, drop-shot rigs, Ned rigs, small jigs, and crawfish- or shad-colored crankbaits. The clarity rewards finesse and natural colors.
• Largemouth bass: Target coves and structure with soft plastics (worms, creature baits), jigs, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits, fishing early and late in summer.
• Channel catfish: Soak cut bait, shad, nightcrawlers, or prepared stinkbaits on the bottom in backwaters and flats, best after dark.

Because Mohave is so clear, lighter fluorocarbon leaders, natural shad and crawfish colors, and a stealthy approach consistently outproduce heavy gear.

Access & Launches

Lake Mohave sits within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, so a park entrance/use fee typically applies in addition to your fishing license. The main developed access areas are at the lower (south) end near the Bullhead City/Laughlin area and at the mid-lake and upper river areas, with public boat launches, marinas, fuel, and rental options at the established recreation sites. The cold upper river near Willow Beach is the traditional trout-fishing access point and a popular put-in for the canyon stretch toward Hoover Dam.

Bank and wade access exists around developed beaches and the upper river, but a boat greatly expands your options on this long, narrow lake. Conditions can be windy and water-level fluctuations are common on a Colorado River reservoir, so check current launch status before you go. Always confirm up-to-date park fees, hours, and any boating or quagga-mussel decontamination requirements with the National Park Service before launching.

Regulations & Licenses

A valid fishing license is required. Because Lake Mohave is a shared Arizona-Nevada border water, license reciprocity and stamp requirements can be nuanced — many anglers fish under a license with the appropriate boundary-water provisions, but you should verify exactly what your situation requires before fishing. Trout anglers may need an additional trout stamp/permit depending on the state.

Slot, size, and bag limits apply and vary by species (stripers, bass, trout, and catfish are managed differently), and regulations change from year to year. Always check the current Arizona Game and Fish Department and Nevada Department of Wildlife rules for the specific limits, any boundary-water agreements, and seasonal restrictions before keeping fish.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best fish to catch in Lake Mohave?
Striped bass and rainbow trout are the headline species. Stripers are caught lake-wide chasing shad, while the cold upper river near Willow Beach is the go-to trout water. Smallmouth bass in the clear rocky stretches round out the top targets.

When is the best time of year to fish Lake Mohave?
Spring and fall are the standout seasons. Spring brings shallow, aggressive bass on the spawn and active stripers, while fall's cooling water triggers heavy feeding and surface boils. Trout fishing in the cold upper river is often best in winter.

Do I need an Arizona or Nevada fishing license for Lake Mohave?
Lake Mohave is a shared Arizona-Nevada border water, so license and boundary-water requirements can be nuanced. A valid fishing license is required, trout anglers may need an added stamp, and you should confirm current state rules and any reciprocity provisions before fishing.

Where can you fish from shore on Lake Mohave?
Bank and wade fishing is possible around the developed beaches in the recreation area and along the cold upper river, which is the traditional trout spot. A boat opens up far more of this long, narrow lake, but shore anglers still catch trout, catfish, and panfish.