Lake Mohave/ Willow Beach

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 deepwater releases. The remainder of the reservoir is warmer and more open. 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 in the 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 imitating trout or shad are best. Largemouth Bass are generally found among root wads, cattails, and other vegetation and cover. Smallmouth bass can commonly be found along rocky reefs and points. March through June is generally best for black bass using rubber worms, night crawlers, spinner baits, or crankbaits. During colder months, use slow fishing techniques like jigs and drop shots. Fish structures have been added to Box, Bass, Solicitor (immediately north of Cottonwood Cove), Carp (on the Arizona side two miles southeast of Cottonwood Cove), Princess, Prospect, Shoshone (on the south end of the Arizona side approximately 5-miles north of Katherine’s Landing), and Arrowhead coves (about 1-mile south of the Princess Cove launch ramp). These structures occur in less than 35 feet and are visible from the surface. There are marinas with launch ramps at Willow Beach and Katherine’s Landing (CA) and in Cottonwood Cove (NV). 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