Fishing Lake Havasu In Southern CA

Popular Fish Species
Lake Havasu Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Local Fishing Guides
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
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Lake Havasu, CA

Popular Fish Species Lake Havasu, CA

Lake Havasu Popular Fish - Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Smallmouth bass are the most sought-after species at Lake Havasu, with fish over 3 pounds very common. Largemouth bass also reside here in good numbers. Smallmouth bass fishing is particularly good when they move to shallow water. Use shallow spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, crankbaits, tube baits and jerkbaits around any sort of rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. Other times, focus your time on deeper structure with drop-shot rigs, small worms, jigs and spoons. Rock piles and points are prime areas for smallmouth as these areas are also home to crawfish.

Striped Bass Fishing

Due to their large size, striped bass are a favorite of many locals and fishing guides at Lake Havasu. They are plentiful, run in schools and can grow to bragging size. In Spring and Fall work the upper end of the lake where water is flowing into the lake. Look for deeper water in the river channel, as a holding place for stripers. In Summer and Winter, stripers hang out in deeper water during the day. Morning often draws the stripers to much shallower water, look for them from the surface down to around the 20-foot range as they feed on shallow-running schools of bait. The lake is filled with plenty of baitfish and sunfish to to keep the fishery thriving. Being successful at fishing for stripers is a matter of locating schools of bait, and the wolf packs of stripers which are likely to be nearby. Fish finders, and forward facing sonar, are a big help in locating these roaming schools. Live bait is very effective here, and stripers can be caught year round.

Lake Havasu Popular Fish - Redear Sunfish

Redear Sunfish Fishing

Fishing for redear sunfish, also known as shellcrackers, is popular here at Lake Havasu. Like most bream, they are a popular species with young and old, as well as beginners and seasoned anglers alike. This year, much like recent years, the redear sunfish population is healthy and always looking for something edible. Redear sunfish fishing is about as simple as fishing gets. Any lighter fishing pole, reasonably light line, small hooks baited with anything eatable, creates a great setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to position. Redear prefer clear, warmer water and hang around brush, rocks, vegetation, docks or any cover available.

Lake Havasu Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, bluegill, redear sunfish and striped bass at Lake Havasu in California.

This 19,300 acre lake is located on the California/Arizona border in Southern CA, and surrounded by desert landscape. Long known as a striped bass fishery, the lake has recently achieved acclaim for excellent smallmouth bass fishing as well. The lake also supports catfish, sunfish and an occasional rainbow trout from upstream waters.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Havasu.

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Havasu Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: AZ side
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: NO
Bait & Tackle: NO
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Black Meadow Landing Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, off Black Meadow Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Havasu Landing Marina Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, on the west side of the lake, off Havasu Lake Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and plenty of paved parking.

Table Bluff Lighthouse Replica Boat Launch
Located mid lake, on the west side of the lake, off Havasu Lake Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.