Fishing on Lake Mohave and the Colorado River near Laughlin, Nevada

Fisherman can fish the Colorado River and Lake Mohave all around. Fish include largemouth bass; catfish; crappie; rainbow trout and striped bass. The Nevada record for striped bass, 52 pounds 2 ounces, and was caught in the Colorado River near Laughlin.

The Colorado River and Lake Mohave area is a paradise for swimmers and scuba divers. There are more than 150 miles of shore around the lake, there are many secluded coves that can be enjoyed for all kinds of water activities. Additionally, there are three swimming beaches in the Laughlin/Bullhead City area. Harrah's Laughlin has a sandy, ocean-style beach on the river; Davis Camp north of Laughlin also has a beach and there is another at Katherine's Landing above Davis Dam.

Some of the best trout fishing on the "River" is just below Davis Dam. I am told that the Davis Camp side has a few nice "holes" accessible from the shore. Of course the best opportunities are from within a boat. Bright Bait, marshmallows and cheese seem to work the best during early morning and late evening hours.

Lake Mohave has some of the best Bass fishing in the country. Stripers are all over the lake, especially near the Dam. Large and small mouth Bass can be found off the points and in the brushy shallows. Best Largemouth Bass fishing: Summer/early Fall. Trout is best from Nov to Feb. Strippers are best in Spring/early Summer.

Nevada License only

Harrah's Chevron
2900 South Casino Dr.
Laughlin, NV

Both AZ and NV license

Smitty's Bait & Tackle
1184 Highway 95
Bullhead City, AZ
(Old Bullhead)

K-Mart
2250 Highway 95
Bullhead City, AZ
(SE corner of Hancock & 95)

Rod's Gun Store
2180 Highway 95
Bullhead City, AZ

Arizona License only

Wal-Mart
Bullhead City, AZ
(10 mi so. of Laughlin Bridge)

Tips for fishing:
1) Striped Bass: bait; anchovies, shad, and lures at different depths (seasonal). Deep water
2) Bluegill: bait; minnows, worms, insects, crayfish, flies (wet or dry), and popping bugs. Fish canyon walls for the big ones.
3) Largemouth Bass: bait; night crawlers, minnows and lures. Largemouth Bass are more active at dusk and dawn and prefer weedy areas and shoreline.
4) Rainbow trout: bait; cheese and marshmallows (bright colors). Fish deep, trout like cold water. The big Trout are caught near the Willow Beach area of Lake Mohave.
5) Black Crappie: bait; minnows, worms and crickets. Fish the canyon walls; Crappie like clear water.
6) Channel Catfish: bait; natural or prepared stink baits. Fish day or night. Bottom fishing is best.
7) Razorback Sucker: Endangered fish, throw back if caught and report to ranger.
8) Bonytail Chub: Endangered fish, throw back if caught and report to ranger.

Area Guides

Captain Doyle's Funfishing Guide Service 866.284.3262
Fish Topock Gorge or Lake Havasu for Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass, Trout, Crappie and Flathead Catfish. Ticket sales and boarding area is located at the Topock Gorge Marina, 30 miles south of Laughlin, NV on the Arizona side.

Chet's Fishing Guide Service 928.758.6232
Fishing along the Colorado River.

Jerry's Fishing Guide Service 928.754.3449
Fish on the Colorado River for Striped Bass and Trout along Laughlin's Casino Row.

Michael Stone's Fishing Guide Service 928.768.4700
Fishing guide for the Colorado River.

Southwest Desert Magic 928.680.4713
Fishing tours of Lake Havasu and Topock Gorge.

Western Arizona Fishing Guide Service 928.754.3160
Fishing tours and guided trips to great fishing spots.

News
**Hunting and fishing licenses for more than 100,000 Nevadans are going to be increased starting next year to keep the state Division of Wildlife from going into the hole.

And the division is going to start charging American Indians and disabled veterans for their licenses, which had been issued free of charge.

Division Director Terry Crawforth told a Senate-Assembly budget committee Thursday this would be the first across-the-board increase since 1996.

The report presented to the committee shows the number of hunting licenses issued to Nevadans decreasing but nonresident licenses rising.

The proposal calls for charging resident Indians and disabled veterans $9 next fiscal year for either a hunting or a fishing license. That would rise to $11 by fiscal 2009.

Last fiscal year, 329 licenses were issued to Indians and 159 to disabled veterans.

The division's plan would increase the resident hunting license from $24 to $29 next fiscal year and then by steps up to $34 by 2009.

Resident fishing licenses would go from the present $21 to $25 next fiscal year and eventually to $30 in 2009.

The division plans to increase nonresident hunting licenses from $111 to $138 next fiscal year and up to $158 by 2009. Nonresident fishing licenses would rise from $51 to $63 next fiscal year and eventually to $73 in 2009.