Lake Mohave
Map of Lake Mohave
View Nevada Fishing Map in a larger map
History
Lake Mohave was created in 1951 following the construction of Davis Dam on the Colorado River southeast of Las Vegas. It is located within the Lake Mead Recreational Area and is administered by the National Park Service.
Pertinent Information
The
64-mile long reservoir covers approximately 30,000 surface acres, with a
maximum depth of 120 feet. It is subject
to fluctuating water levels, usually about 15 to 20 feet. The upper 20 miles of the reservoir lies
within Black Canyon and is cold all year from Hoover Dam’s deep-water
releases. The remainder of the reservoir
is seasonally warm and more open with the widest section of four miles in
Cottonwood Basin. Game fish include
striped bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, rainbow trout, bluegill, and
channel catfish. The best time of year
to fish for striped bass is April through November. Try fishing during early morning, evening, or
at night using live shad, frozen anchovies, or lures. Trolling or still fishing from 40 to 100 feet
deep with bait or lures that imitate trout or shad are productive. March through June is generally best for
largemouth bass using rubber worms, night crawlers, or crankbaits. There are marinas with launch ramps in
Arizona (Willow Beach and Katherine’s Landing) and in Nevada (Cottonwood
Cove). There is also a launch ramp at
Princess Cove near Katherine’s Landing. Developed
camping is available at Cottonwood Cove and Katherine’s Landing. Shoreline camping is permitted and campers
should carry out their trash and provide for adequate sanitation. Bring plenty of drinking water since temperatures
can exceed 110°F.
Stocking
Regulations
Boating Regulations
Watch for restricted or prohibited areas around marinas, Davis Dam, and in the Black Canyon above Willow Beach.
Access
Travel east out of Las Vegas for approximately 20 miles on Highway 515, 93, or 95 towards Boulder City, turning south on 95 to Searchlight. You will reach Searchlight in 40 miles. From here, turn east and travel approximately 13 miles to Cottonwood Cove at Lake Mohave. To reach Willow Beach, stay on Highway 93 from Las Vegas through Boulder City. Crossover into Arizona via the Hover Dam Bypass and in another 12 miles, you will reach the turnoff to Willow Beach.
Additional Information
NDOW is working cooperatively with the National Park Service to enhance habitat for sport fish in Lake Mohave which is typically limited in underwater habitat and structure. Almost 500 habitat modules have been placed in the lake since 2006.
