Fishing

Lake Havasu was ranked one of the top 100 places to fish in the U.S. by Game & Fish in 2021 for a reason. That’s a hook, line and sinker.

A Bassmaster Magazine 100 Best Bass Lake & One of the 100 Best Bass Lakes of the Decade.

Lake Havasu is a year-round fishing paradise where the fish are big and quick to bite. Anglers enjoy the lake’s scenic natural beauty as they haul in largemouth and smallmouth bass, striped bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish, crappies and flathead catfish.

Types of Fish

Catch Records

Reasons to Fish

Licenses

Game & Fish Magazine

West's Hottest Summer Fishing Destinations
May 20, 2020

“Lake Havasu offers outstanding smallmouth, largemouth and striped bass fishing, but there’s nowhere in the country with better redear sunfish action than this Colorado River impoundment.”

On May 4, 2021, Thomas Farchione caught a world-record setting redear sunfish in Lake Havasu, weighing in at 6.3 pounds and surpassing a previous 2014 world record for a 5.8 pound redear caught in the lake

Hook up with a fishing guide. Launch your boat from one of the many launch ramps and marinas. Cruise the coves for the ideal spot and explore 60 miles of lake shoreline for the ultimate catch. Or cast your line from one of several free public access fishing docks and piers.

Fishing dock on Lake Havasu, Arizona - Bill Williams National Wildlife Refuge

Thanks to one of the largest and most successful fish habitat improvement projects ever undertaken in the U.S., the remarkably healthy ecosystem thriving in the lake ensures its sustainability for plenty of healthy fish.

See for yourself what makes Lake Havasu a top fishing destination in the Southwest. And for plenty of pro angler action, Lake Havasu hosts premier bass tournaments throughout the year.

Fishing champion Dean Rojas

“I have been a resident of Lake Havasu City for nearly 18 years now, and not a day goes by that I don't feel like I'm still in paradise.”

Dean Rojas, Pro Bass Angler

Fish species in Lake Havasu

See the chart below for information on the best bait, lures and times to fish for fish species in Lake Havasu.

Species	Real Bait	Lures	Technique
Catfish (Yellow Bullhead, Flathead & Channel)	Anchovies Nightcrawlers Chicken livers Mackerel Stink bait Live bluegill	N/A	Night is the best time Plentiful March-October Fish shallow spots with structure and vegetation during early morning and springtime Try drop off points in the bed of the lake later in the day and season
Largemouth Bass	N/A	Early Morning Topwater Lures Buzzbaits Spinner baits Late Morning Jigs Crankbaits Swimbaits Midday Plastic worms Craws Creature baits	Early morning is the best time Plentiful March-May Fish near structures and near submerged vegetation They like to hide in areas with cooler water
Panfish (Bluegill, Redear & Green Sunfish)	Mealworms Nightcrawlers	Crappie jigs Small trout Spinning lures	Any time is good Plentiful November-March and May-June Panfish can be caught all over the lake
Smallmouth Bass	N/A	Morning Topwater Lures Lipless crankbaits White crappie jigs Midday Crankbaits Plastics Creature baits Late Afternoon Topwater lures Lipless crankbaits White crappie jigs	Early morning hours and late afternoon are the best times Plentiful February-April Look for rocky points, shorelines, and canyon areas
Striped Bass	Anchovies Mackerel Squid Shad Bluegill	Morning Topwater lures Late afternoon Shad imitations Swimbaits	Early morning and late afternoon are the best times Plentiful August-October In the summer, look for small gatherings of birds on the surface In the colder months, use the "bait and wait" technique

Due to restoration efforts, there are three protected (endangered) fish species in Lake Havasu: razorback sucker, flannelmouth sucker, roundtail chub and bonytail chub. It is unlawful to possess any of these species. If you happen to catch any of these fish, please release them alive and, if possible, report the catch to a natural resource manager in the area.

Biggest fish in Arizona caught in Lake Havasu

Arizona State Records

Type of Fish	Weight	Length	Date	Record Holder
Redear Sunfish	6.3 lb	17 in	May 2021	Thomas Farchione
Smallmouth Bass	6.28 lb	21 in	Feb 2017	Sue Nowak
Redear Sunfish	5.80 lb	17 in	Feb 2014	Hector Brito
Green Sunfish	1.33 lb	11.5 in	July 1997	Jose Orozco
Black Crappie	2.75 lb	16 in	Mar 1996	Julia Grammer
Carp	42.0 lb	43 in	Mar 1979	Gary Ramsfield
Razorback Sucker	9.81 lb	29 in	Jan 1978	Freeman Summers

Fascinating facts about Arizona fishing records

Redear sunfish have grown to trophy size in Lake Havasu. On February 16, 2014, Hector Brito caught a world-record 5.8-pound redear sunfish in Lake Havasu, surpassing a previous record-setting redear catch on the lake by Robert Lawler in 2011.
In November 2013, a whopping 37-lb striper was also hauled out of the lake.
Also abundant in Lake Havasu are large carp; 20-25 pound carp are not uncommon.
The state record of a 42-pound carp was caught in Lake Havasu in 1979.
Smallmouth bass fishing has greatly improved in Lake Havasu in the last few years. Sue Nowak set a new Arizona state record when she caught a 6.28-pound smallmouth bass in February 2017.

For more fishing in Arizona records, check the AZ Game & Fish website.

Fishing is a great way for families to spend quality time together

Five reasons why Lake Havasu has the best bass fishing in Arizona

It's not uncommon for anglers to catch bass over 5 pounds and some even approaching 10 pounds. Here's why:

Lake Havasu is a reservoir approximately 25 miles long with a shoreline that boasts sixty-plus miles. Within its rock layers are pockets with areas perfect for catching bass near the shores.
Starting as precipitation high atop the central Rocky Mountains, the water in Lake Havasu is as fresh as it gets.
Bass thrive in warmer temperatures. The deserts surrounding this sparkling freshwater lake make it an ideal location for bass fishing.
With air temperatures ranging from 75-108 degrees most of the year, anglers can enjoy an unsurpassed bass lake resort experience throughout the year.
Forming the border between Arizona and California, Lake Havasu serves as the final reservoir spot for water to southern California and Arizona communities. This ensures a consistent water supply for recreational use.

Licenses and daily bag limits for fishing in Arizona lakes

All Arizona fishing lakes, Lake Havasu included, require an Arizona fishing license for any resident or non-resident angler 10 years of age or older (available at bait and tackle shops and online at the Arizona Game & Fish Department website). Licenses are valid for one year and are not transferable or refundable.

Licenses must be in the possession of the angler while fishing. Also, a license is required to take frogs, waterdogs, crayfish or softshell turtles. For a full listing of fishing regulations including daily bag limits, see the AZGFD's Fishing Regulations here. Be aware of posted signs on the water, however, as some coves are closed to fishing.

Plan Your Fishing Trip

Bait & Tackle Shops
Lake Havasu City has one specialty bait and tackle shop with experts who can tell you everything you need to know about fishing Lake Havasu, including lake conditions, species in…
Free Public Fishing Docks
Free fishing docks are plentiful all around the Lake Havasu area and all are open 24 hours a day. A downloadable map is found below.
Arizona Fishing Licenses
A valid Arizona fishing license is required for anglers 10 years of age or older. Youth under the age of 10 and blind residents are exempt.
Fishing Guides
Considering a day or half day of fishing at Lake Havasu? Lake Havasu City's fishing guides will take you to the top spots for bass, panfish and catfish.
Bass Tournaments
Lake Havasu has big bass, a lot of them. Big bass means big bass tournaments. Thousands of fans from Arizona and surrounding states are drawn to Lake Havasu's premier bass…