Lake Havasu Fishing

Originally written by Tony Subia

Updated by AZ Leisure Staff Writers on August 19, 2026

Lake Havasu is one of Arizona's premier warm-water fishing destinations, offering productive year-round angling for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, redear sunfish, bluegill and catfish. Rocky points, submerged vegetation, artificial fish habitat, coves and open-water baitfish schools create opportunities for both boat and shore anglers. The lake is especially well known for quality bass fishing and exceptionally large redear sunfish, while striped bass provide another popular target throughout much of the year.

• Fish Species In Lake Havasu
• Bass Fishing
• Striped Bass Fishing
• Redear Sunfish
• Catfish & Panfish
• Best Fishing By Season
• Best Areas To Fish
• Shore Fishing & Public Docks
• Fish Habitat
• Lake Havasu Fishing Guides
• Fishing License & Regulations
• Lake Havasu Fishing FAQ

Popular Fish Species In Lake Havasu

• Largemouth Bass: A primary Lake Havasu sport fish found around vegetation, coves, submerged habitat and shoreline structure
• Smallmouth Bass: Common around rocky points, shorelines, drop-offs and canyon structure
• Striped Bass: Open-water predator frequently associated with shad and other baitfish schools
• Redear Sunfish: Featured Lake Havasu fishery famous for producing exceptionally large fish
• Bluegill: Abundant panfish found around shoreline habitat and vegetation
• Channel Catfish: Available around deeper water, coves and bottom structure
• Flathead Catfish: Large predatory catfish found in suitable structure throughout the lake
• Crappie: Present in Lake Havasu and occasionally targeted around suitable cover and structure

Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Fishing techniques change with water temperature and season. Topwater lures can be effective during low-light periods, while crankbaits, swimbaits, jigs, creature baits and soft-plastic presentations allow anglers to work deeper structure as fish move away from the shoreline.

Lake Havasu also supports a substantial bass-tournament scene, reflecting the quality and popularity of the fishery.

Striped Bass Fishing At Lake Havasu

Striped bass provide a very different fishing experience from Lake Havasu's black bass. Stripers often follow schools of baitfish in open water, making electronics, surface activity and bird activity useful clues when locating fish.

Early morning and late afternoon can be productive periods. During warm weather, anglers often watch for baitfish and feeding activity near the surface, while cooler conditions may move fish deeper and favor slower bait presentations.

• Topwater lures during active surface feeding
• Swimbaits and shad-pattern lures
• Anchovies and other appropriate cut bait
• Vertical presentations over deeper schools
• Trolling when fish are scattered through open water

Lake Havasu Redear Sunfish Fishing

Lake Havasu has become nationally known for unusually large redear sunfish, commonly called shellcrackers. The lake has produced record-class redear and remains one of its most distinctive fisheries.

Redear commonly feed near the bottom on snails, mussels and other aquatic organisms. Anglers frequently use worms, nightcrawlers and other small natural baits around vegetation, shoreline habitat and productive bottom structure.

Arizona Game and Fish continues to recognize Lake Havasu as a record-producing redear fishery, including a new 16-inch catch-and-release state record entered from the lake in 2025.

Catfish & Panfish At Lake Havasu

Lake Havasu offers more than bass fishing. Channel catfish and flathead catfish can be locally abundant, while bluegill and other sunfish provide additional opportunities for anglers interested in panfish.

• Channel Catfish: Try deeper coves, shoreline breaks and bottom structure with bait
• Flathead Catfish: Target larger structure and areas holding prey fish
• Bluegill: Fish vegetation, docks and shoreline habitat with small baits and lures
• Redear Sunfish: Concentrate on bottom-oriented presentations around productive habitat
• Crappie: Look for fish around submerged cover and structural transitions when conditions are favorable

Best Lake Havasu Fishing By Season

Spring

Spring is one of the most productive periods for Lake Havasu bass fishing as warming water draws largemouth and smallmouth bass toward shallower spawning areas. Redear and other panfish also become increasingly active as water temperatures rise.

Summer

Summer fishing is often best during early morning, evening and nighttime because of extreme daytime heat. Bass frequently use deeper structure during the day, while striped bass can school around open-water baitfish.

Fall

Cooling water can trigger increased feeding activity as bass and stripers follow baitfish. Fall can provide an excellent combination of active fish, warm water and gradually improving air temperatures.

Winter

Lake Havasu remains fishable throughout winter. Fishing generally becomes slower and more depth-oriented, but mild desert weather can make winter especially comfortable for anglers compared with summer.

Best Areas To Fish At Lake Havasu

• Rocky Points & Shorelines: Prime smallmouth bass habitat throughout the lake
• Submerged Vegetation: Productive largemouth bass and panfish cover
• Coves & Backwaters: Good areas for largemouth bass, sunfish and catfish
• Artificial Fish Habitat: Submerged structures installed to improve fish-holding cover
• Open-Water Baitfish Schools: Important areas for striped bass
• Bridgewater Channel Area: Accessible fishing around developed shoreline structure where permitted
• Lower Lake Near Parker Dam: Productive fishing water with somewhat lighter pressure in some areas
• Topock Gorge & Upper Lake: Colorado River habitat offering bass, catfish and other fishing opportunities

Shore Fishing & Public Fishing Docks

A boat is not required to fish Lake Havasu. Public shoreline areas and fishing docks provide convenient access for visitors without a boat. Current Lake Havasu visitor information identifies several free fishing docks that are open 24 hours.

• Mesquite Bay North and South
• Site Six on the Island
• Take Off Point south of Lake Havasu City
• Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge
• Catfish Paradise at Havasu National Wildlife Refuge

Conditions, closures and access rules can change, so verify the current status of a dock or shoreline area before making a special trip.

Lake Havasu Fish Habitat

Fish habitat enhancement has played an important role in the Lake Havasu fishery. Artificial habitat structures provide additional cover and feeding areas for bass, panfish and other species in sections of the reservoir where natural cover may be limited.

Arizona Game and Fish provides downloadable Lake Havasu fish-habitat location data for anglers who want to incorporate these structures into their fishing plans.

View Arizona Game & Fish reservoir habitat locations.

Lake Havasu Fishing Guides

Professional fishing guides can help visitors learn Lake Havasu more quickly, particularly when targeting bass, striped bass, panfish or catfish. Guide services commonly provide local fishing knowledge, tackle recommendations, instruction and access to productive areas based on current lake and weather conditions.

The official Lake Havasu tourism directory maintains a current list of local fishing guides, including services specializing in largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass and catfish.

View current Lake Havasu fishing guides.

Lake Havasu Fishing License & Regulations

A valid Arizona fishing license is required for Arizona resident and non-resident anglers age 10 or older who fish publicly accessible Arizona waters. Arizona fishing licenses are currently valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.

Lake Havasu lies along the Arizona-California border, so anglers should review current Colorado River fishing regulations and licensing requirements before fishing across state-jurisdiction boundaries. Daily bag limits, protected species rules and special regulations can change.

• Carry the required fishing license while fishing
• Review current Arizona Game and Fish regulations before your trip
• Observe posted closures and protected habitat areas
• Know the identification of protected native fish
• Verify current limits rather than relying on older printed information

Current Arizona fishing licenses and regulations.

Protected Fish At Lake Havasu

Lake Havasu and the lower Colorado River also support protected native fish associated with conservation and recovery programs. If an unfamiliar native fish is caught, handle it carefully, release it alive and follow current Arizona Game and Fish guidance rather than keeping it.

Lake Havasu Fishing FAQ

Is Lake Havasu good for fishing?

Yes. Arizona Game and Fish considers Lake Havasu one of Arizona's best fishing lakes, and fishing is popular throughout the year.

What fish are in Lake Havasu?

Popular sport fish include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, redear sunfish, bluegill, channel catfish, flathead catfish and crappie.

What is Lake Havasu best known for fishing?

Lake Havasu is especially well known for largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing, striped bass and exceptionally large redear sunfish.

When is the best time to fish Lake Havasu?

Lake Havasu can be fished year-round. Spring is particularly productive for bass, fall brings active baitfish-oriented fishing, and winter offers mild weather for anglers.

Where can I catch smallmouth bass at Lake Havasu?

Smallmouth bass commonly relate to rocky points, shorelines, canyon areas and harder-bottom structure.

Where can I catch largemouth bass at Lake Havasu?

Largemouth bass frequently use submerged vegetation, coves, artificial fish habitat and other shoreline cover.

Are striped bass in Lake Havasu?

Yes. Striped bass are an important Lake Havasu sport fish and are often associated with open-water baitfish schools.

Why is Lake Havasu famous for redear sunfish?

Lake Havasu has produced exceptionally large redear sunfish, including state and record-class fish, making it one of the lake's most distinctive fisheries.

Can you fish Lake Havasu without a boat?

Yes. Shoreline access and several public fishing docks provide opportunities for anglers without boats.

Are there public fishing docks at Lake Havasu?

Yes. Public fishing docks include Mesquite Bay, Site Six, Take Off Point and locations within nearby wildlife refuges.

Do I need an Arizona fishing license at Lake Havasu?

Arizona residents and non-residents age 10 or older generally need a valid Arizona fishing license when fishing publicly accessible Arizona waters. Check current Colorado River regulations before fishing across jurisdictional boundaries.

Are fishing guides available at Lake Havasu?

Yes. Multiple professional guides currently operate on Lake Havasu and offer trips for bass, striped bass, panfish and catfish.

Are there artificial fish habitats in Lake Havasu?

Yes. Arizona Game and Fish maintains and publishes location information for artificial reservoir fish-habitat structures in Lake Havasu.

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