Lake Havasu

Lake Havasu is part of the Colorado River created by the Davis Dam and home to the history London Bridge. The border of California and Arizona goes right through the middle of the lake so be sure to get a Colorado River fishing stamp for your fishing license before heading out to Havasu.

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Fishing Lake Havasu is second to none in Arizona for many natives. The water is crystal clear. You can see the bottom of the lake at 20 feet. Like many lakes on the Colorado River it is also popular for spear fishing. Lake Havasu City is hot but the water in the lake is nice and cold. You will see early spawning bass around late March and the action for small mouth last past April.

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Spring break at Havasu is known across the west as a top destination party spot, so keep that in mind that spring break for high school will start late March and by mid April. The lake will be a floating city of boats filled with booze and topless girls. That is a big plus for me and a lot of our members of course, but if you’re on a family trip, you may want plan around it. There is a lot of “recreation” going on at Lake Havasu that time of the year.


There are plenty of bait shops and fishing tackle shops in the city so don’t feel like you have to go stock up on gear before heading out. The shops near the London Bridge have everything you need.

Lake Havasu Bass Fishing
Smallmouth Bass of Havasu
Lake Havasu has to be one of the best places in Arizona to fish for smallmouth bass, big smallmouth bass! Head out to this lake in April. You'll get a chance to catch some big spawning smallmouth and see some of the left over girls from spring break. These smallmouths will bite on anything hopped across their spawning beds or weed piles they border. I've caught a few just trolling crank baits too. Pick up some plastic Yamamoto creatures that look like crawfish and some jig heads with big sharp hooks. Don’t cheap out on the hooks. These smallmouth at Havasu with through them right back in your face if you don’t set them well as you watch them swim away in the clear water. “picture of creatures and craws” also gallery of smallmouth. Click on the hook to start the slide show.

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other fish of Havasu
Havasu also holds Largemouth bass, monster flathead catfish, crappie and channel catfish. There are some native fish to Havasu you see throughout the Colorado River Lakes including suckers.

Record striped bass
Stripers are one of the popular salt imports along with bullhead. Every other gas station around Lake Havasu has worms and anchovies if you’re looking to do some bait fishing for striped bass. Note you can also catch record striped bass trolling bigger rubber minnows.

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Lake Havasu Fishing Reports
If you’re going to be fishing from the city limits in Havasu be prepared to pay for a campsite as shore camping is limited. There are a few spots on the island the London Bridge will take you to. The spot is called Site Six. It’s located on the north end of the island. Most spots I would recommend a four wheel drive vehicle to get to since you will be driving in mostly sand along the shoreline.


You can ask around at the pro shops for a personal fishing report or checkout the Lake Havasu Fishing report from the game and fish site. I have been skunked there before, so get as many tactics lined up as you can. There is nothing worse that fishing in a spot you can clearly see there are no fish. Finding fish at Havasu is the first trick.


There are a lot of fishing guides for Lake Havasu that know their way around the lake.


The drive out to Lake Havasu is very scenic once you hit hwy 95 north off interstate 10 west. You’ll start seeing the river to your left as you enter the town of Parker then you’ll drive past the Bill Williams National Wildlife Refuge. It’s about a two and a half hour drive from central phoenix.

Restrictions/Season of Use:

Lake Havasu is open all year

Road Conditions:

Paved to the launching areas

Land Ownership:

The western shorline of Lake Havasu is California the east is Arizona. You will need a license from one of the two depending what side you are going to fish on. You can purchase a Colorado River stamp from the Game and Fish department to fish both.

Entrance Fees/Permits:

Not for the launch only for the campsites.

Elevation:

The elevation at Lake Havasu is 1500 feet

Max Surface Acres:

1200

River Lake Impounds:

Colorado River

Bag Limit:

As Posted

Boat/Engine Restrictions:

Any size motor.

Boats to Rent:

Yes there are boats for rent.

Swimming:

Yes

Camping:

Yes

Barrier free Access:

Yes but camping may be limited on these access points

Trailer Spaces:

Yes

Electricity:

Yes

Launching Area:

Yes

Water Skiing:

Yes

Cleaning Stations:

Yes there are a few at Site Six

Marinas:

Lake Havasu Marina is located right next to the Londo Bridge

Lake Havasu is off the 93 south of Kingman or north of Parker. Its about a two hour drive from Phoenix. Look at the map above or bring a navigator you can boss around to look at a map every 20 miles.