Lake Havasu, AZ Fishing Report

The largemouth and smallmouth bass bite has been excellent. The fish are pretty much out of the spawn, but a lot of fish still shallow guarding beds, but many fish dropping out into 18 to 30 feet of water. The redear are just starting to move up for their spawn, but there has been good action in six to 20 feet. The stripers are spotty overall. The fish being caught are mostly better quality fish and they have been showing off Windsor Beach, in front of the casino on the California side, and the Standard Wash area and all the way up lake to the mouth of the river in Topoc. The bite has been on trolled Pointer 128s or Rat-L-Traps or deeply fished baits. Few reports on catfish, but more and more channels are moving up into the coves. Information: Bass Tackle Master at 928-854-2277.

The largemouth and smallmouth bass bite has been excellent. The fish are pretty much out of the spawn, but a lot of fish still shallow guarding beds, but many fish dropping out into 18 to 30 feet of water. The redear are just starting to move up for their spawn, but there has been good action in six to 20 feet. The stripers are spotty overall. The fish being caught are mostly better quality fish and they have been showing off Windsor Beach, in front of the casino on the California side, and the Standard Wash area. The bite has been on trolled Pointer 128s or Rat-L-Traps or deeply fished baits. Some smaller stripers are also showing in the upper end of the lake and up into the river. Few reports on catfish, but more and more channels are moving up into the coves. Information: Bass Tackle Master at 928-854-2277.

The largemouth and smallmouth bass bite has been excellent. The fish are entering the tail end of the spawn with a lot of fish still shallow guarding beds, but many fish dropping out into 18 to 30 feet of water. The redear are just starting to move up for their spawn, but there has been good action in six to 20 feet. The stripers are spotty overall. The fish being caught are mostly better quality fish and they have been showing off Windsor Beach, in front of the casino on the California side, and the Standard Wash area. The bite has been on trolled Pointer 128s or Rat-L-Traps or deeply fished baits. Some smaller stripers are also showing in the upper end of the lake and up into the river. Few reports on catfish, but more and more channels are moving up into the coves. Information: Bass Tackle Master at 928-854-2277.

The largemouth and smallmouth bass bite has been excellent with fish stacked up in the shallows and on beds. Some fish are already dropping out of the shallows in some post-spawn movement and showing in 18 to 30 feet of water. The redear haven’t moved up yet, but there has been good action in 20 feet on fish staging to spawn. The stripers are spotty overall. The fish being caught are mostly better quality fish and they have been showing off Windsor Beach, in front of the casino on the California side, and the Standard Wash area. The bite has been on trolled Pointer 128s or Rat-L-Traps or deeply fished baits. A 27-pounder was caught over the past week on a bait. Some smaller stripers are also showing in the upper end of the lake and up into the river. Few reports on catfish, but more and more channels are moving up into the coves. Information: Bass Tackle Master at 928-854-2277.

It’s spawn time. The smallmouth bass are in moving well into the spawn and this bite has been good on jigs and plastics. The largemouth bass are also in shallow water and fanning out beds and few fish are deeper than 12 or 15 feet now. The striper activity is starting to improve and more and more fish are moving out of the south end of the lake. The best bite is still toward the dam and Bill Williams on cut anchovies in deeper water, but there have been some fish as far up lake as London Bridge in the past week. Site 6 and Havasu Springs are still the top spots. The redear are fair, but still mostly in deeper water with more and more each warm day showing on half a nightcrawler around structure. Few anglers are targeting redear right now. Information: Bass Tackle Master at 928-854-2277.

The stripers activity is starting to improve and more and more fish are moving out of the south end of the lake. The best bite is still toward the dam and Bill Williams on cut anchovies in deeper water, but there have been some fish as far up lake as London Bridge in the past week. Site 6 and Havasu Springs are still the top spots. The smallmouth bass are in moving well into the spawn and this bite has been good on jigs and plastics. The largemouth bass are also starting to shallow and fanning out beds but some fish are still in 12 to 20 feet. The redear are fair, but still mostly in deeper water with more and more each warm day showing on half a nightcrawler around structure. Few anglers are targeting redear right now. Information: Bass Tackle Master at 928-854-2277.

The stripers activity is starting to improve and more and more fish are moving out of the south end of the lake. The best bite is still toward the dam and Bill Williams on cut anchovies in deeper water, but there have been some fish as far up lake as London Bridge in the past week. Site 6 and Havasu Springs are still the top spots. More and more smallmouth bass are heading into the spawn and this bite has been pretty decent on jigs and plastics. This action is still just starting. The largemouth bass are also starting to move up a little and back to shoreline structure, but the bite is still in 20 to 30 feet of water on plastics and jigs. The redear are also slow and in even deeper water with very few showing on half a nightcrawler around structure, but few anglers are targeting redear right now. Information: Bass Tackle Master at 928-854-2277.

The stripers activity is starting to improve and more and more fish are moving out of the south end of the lake. The best bite is still toward the dam and Bill Williams on cut anchovies in deeper water, but there have been some fish as far up lake as London Bridge in the past week. Site 6 and Havasu Springs are still the top spots. More and more smallmouth bass are heading into the spawn and this bite has been pretty decent on jigs and plastics. This action is still just starting. The largemouth bass are also starting to move up a little and back to shoreline structure, but the bite is still in 20 to 30 feet of water on plastics and jigs. The redear are also slow and in even deeper water with very few showing on half a nightcrawler around structure, but few anglers are targeting redear right now. Information: Bass Tackle Master at 928-854-2277.

Lake Level is 88.87 percent full with average temperature of 56 degrees. Lake Havasu is a 19,300-acre impoundment on the Colorado River, formed by Parker Dam. It is located along the Arizona-California border and is approximately twenty-five miles long, with a shoreline that extends more than one hundred miles. Lake Havasu is best known for its striped bass, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass fishing. It also has good fishing for channel catfish, flathead catfish, and sunfish, including some monster redear sunfish. There are also abundant carp and limited numbers of crappie.

Striper fishing has been challenging in recent years, with easy limits of small fish no longer the rule, as was the case five or six years ago. However, the average size of the striped bass caught has increased. Using live shad for bait is a good bet any time of the year. During the cooler months, stripers are usually found in deeper water, and fishing on the bottom or trolling with live shad or cut anchovies are good bets. During the warmer months, fishing topwater lures that resemble shad near "boils" or where birds are actively feeding is your best bet for some exciting action.

The largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing has been steadily improving over the last several years. Tournament anglers are regularly weighing in bags of 5 fish that weigh over 20 pounds, and it is not uncommon to catch bass over 5 pounds and some even approaching 10 pounds. There are many different techniques used for largemouth bass. As a general rule, most people will use topwater lures such as buzzbaits or spinnerbaits in the early morning and then switch to jigs, crankbaits, or swimbaits as the day progresses. Using plastic baits that resemble worms, crawdads, frogs, or lizards often work well. It is generally best to fish around structure such as weedbeds, emergent vegetation, boat docks, or artificial habitat. Fishing picks up as the water temperatures warm up in the spring and summer but bucketmouths can be had any time of the year.

Smallmouth bass fishing has really improved in Lake Havasu the last few years, with a new Arizona state record for the Colorado River caught in late 2011 (5.63 pounds). For smallmouth bass it is usually best to fish rocky points, ridges, shorelines, or canyons. Most people use topwater lures, lipless crankbaits or jigs in the mornings and evenings. During the day try crankbaits, plastic worms or "creature" baits such as fake crawdads.

Redear sunfish have grown to trophy size in Lake Havasu, with a new state and world record being caught in 2011 (5.55 pounds). Redear sunfish in the 2-pound range and larger are regularly caught. Bluegill and redear can be caught around structure such as docks, vegetation, or artificial structure using mealworms, night crawlers, or small crappie jigs.

Channel catfish are widespread in the lake and can be caught using night crawlers, anchovies, chicken liver, stinkbait or about anything that "stinks". For flathead catfish it is best to use live bait such as bluegill or small carp. Flathead catfish are relatively uncommon in the upper part of the lake, but much more abundant in the lower half, especially in the vicinity of the Bill Williams River arm of the reservoir. Catfish can be caught any time of the year but your best bet is at night during the summer.

Large carp are abundant in the lake and can provide some exciting fishing. Twenty to twenty-five pound carp are not uncommon. Most people use canned corn or dough balls.

The few striper being caught are mostly showing at late afternoon or evening in the south end of the lake on frozen anchovies. Site 6 and Havasu Springs have been the top areas in this slow bite. More and more smallmouth bass are starting to move up shallow and fanning out beds already, and they are being caught on jigs and plastics. But this action is just starting. The largemouth bass are still suspended out in 20 to 30 feet or moving up onto points in those same depths and just starting to show on plastics and jigs. The redear are also slow and in even deeper water with very few showing on half a nightcrawler around structure. Information: Bass Tackle Master at 928-854-2277.

The few striper being caught are mostly showing at late afternoon or evening in the south end of the lake on frozen anchovies. Site 6 and Havasu Springs have been the top areas in this slow bite. More and more smallmouth bass are starting to move up shallow and fanning out beds already, and they are being caught on jigs and plastics. But this action is just starting. The largemouth bass are still suspended out in 20 to 30 feet with little action. The redear are also slow and in even deeper water with very few showing on half a nightcrawler around structure. Information: Bass Tackle Master at 928-854-2277.

Lake Level is 88.87 percent full with average temperature of 56 degrees. Lake Havasu is a 19,300-acre impoundment on the Colorado River, formed by Parker Dam. It is located along the Arizona-California border and is approximately twenty-five miles long, with a shoreline that extends more than one hundred miles. Lake Havasu is best known for its striped bass, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass fishing. It also has good fishing for channel catfish, flathead catfish, and sunfish, including some monster redear sunfish. There are also abundant carp and limited numbers of crappie.

Striper fishing has been challenging in recent years, with easy limits of small fish no longer the rule, as was the case five or six years ago. However, the average size of the striped bass caught has increased. Using live shad for bait is a good bet any time of the year. During the cooler months, stripers are usually found in deeper water, and fishing on the bottom or trolling with live shad or cut anchovies is a good bet. During the warmer months, fishing topwater lures that resemble shad near “boils” or where birds are actively feeding is your best bet for some exciting action.

The largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing has been steadily improving over the last several years. Tournament anglers are regularly weighing in bags of 5 fish that weigh over 20 pounds, and it is not uncommon to catch bass over 5 pounds and some even approaching 10 pounds. There are many different techniques used for largemouth bass. As a general rule, most people will use topwater lures such as buzzbaits or spinnerbaits in the early morning and then switch to jigs, crankbaits, or swimbaits as the day progresses. Using plastic baits that resemble worms, crawdads, frogs, or lizards often work well. It is generally best to fish around structure such as weedbeds, emergent vegetation, boat docks, or artificial habitat. Fishing picks up as the water temperatures warm up in the spring and summer but bucketmouths can be had any time of the year.

Smallmouth bass fishing has really improved in Lake Havasu the last few years, with a new Arizona state record for the Colorado River caught in late 2011 (5.63 pounds). For smallmouth bass it is usually best to fish rocky points, ridges, shorelines, or canyons. Most people use topwater lures, lipless crankbaits or jigs in the mornings and evenings. During the day try crankbaits, plastic worms or “creature” baits such as fake crawdads.

Redear sunfish have grown to trophy size in Lake Havasu, with a new state and world record being caught in 2011 (5.55 pounds). Redear sunfish in the 2-pound range and larger are regularly caught. Bluegill and redear can be caught around structure such as docks, vegetation, or artificial structure using mealworms, night crawlers, or small crappie jigs.

Channel catfish are widespread in the lake and can be caught using night crawlers, anchovies, chicken liver, stinkbait or about anything that “stinks”. For flathead catfish it is best to use live bait such as bluegill or small carp. Flathead catfish are relatively uncommon in the upper part of the lake, but much more abundant in the lower half, especially in the vicinity of the Bill Williams River arm of the reservoir. Catfish can be caught any time of the year but your best bet is at night during the summer.

Large carp are abundant in the lake and can provide some exciting fishing. Twenty to twenty-five pound carp are not uncommon. Most people use canned corn or dough balls.

Still tough action overall, but the few striper being caught are mostly showing at night or very early in the morning in the south end of the lake on frozen anchovies. Site 6 and Havasu Springs have been the top areas in this slow bite. A few smallmouth bass are starting to move up shallow and fanning out beds already, and they are being caught on jigs and plastics. But this action is just starting. The largemouth bass are still suspended out in 20 to 30 feet with little action. The redear are also slow and in even deeper water with very few showing on half a nightcrawler around structure. Information: Bass Tackle Master at 928-854-2277.

Not much change here over the past week. The striper bite remains very slow. Only a few fish showing from south end of the lake on baits or deeply-fished lures. The largemouth action is slow to fair on deeper-water structure on jigs and plastics, while the smallmouth are best on gravel flats and outcroppings on jigs or deep-running, slow-fished cranks. The panfish bite is pretty slow with only an occasional redear showing from deeper water on nightcrawlers fished around structure. Information: Bass Tackle Master at 928-854-2277.

Lake Level is 88.87 percent full with average temperature of 56 degrees. Lake Havasu is a 19,300-acre impoundment on the Colorado River, formed by Parker Dam. It is located along the Arizona-California border and is approximately twenty-five miles long, with a shoreline that extends more than one hundred miles. Lake Havasu is best known for its striped bass, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass fishing. It also has good fishing for channel catfish, flathead catfish, and sunfish, including some monster redear sunfish. There are also abundant carp and limited numbers of crappie.

Striper fishing has been challenging in recent years, with easy limits of small fish no longer the rule, as was the case five or six years ago. However, the average size of the striped bass caught has increased. Using live shad for bait is a good bet any time of the year. During the cooler months, stripers are usually found in deeper water, and fishing on the bottom or trolling with live shad or cut anchovies is a good bet. During the warmer months, fishing topwater lures that resemble shad near “boils” or where birds are actively feeding is your best bet for some exciting action.

The largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing has been steadily improving over the last several years. Tournament anglers are regularly weighing in bags of 5 fish that weigh over 20 pounds, and it is not uncommon to catch bass over 5 pounds and some even approaching 10 pounds. There are many different techniques used for largemouth bass. As a general rule, most people will use topwater lures such as buzzbaits or spinnerbaits in the early morning and then switch to jigs, crankbaits, or swimbaits as the day progresses. Using plastic baits that resemble worms, crawdads, frogs, or lizards often work well. It is generally best to fish around structure such as weedbeds, emergent vegetation, boat docks, or artificial habitat. Fishing picks up as the water temperatures warm up in the spring and summer but bucketmouths can be had any time of the year.

Smallmouth bass fishing has really improved in Lake Havasu the last few years, with a new Arizona state record for the Colorado River caught in late 2011 (5.63 pounds). For smallmouth bass it is usually best to fish rocky points, ridges, shorelines, or canyons. Most people use topwater lures, lipless crankbaits or jigs in the mornings and evenings. During the day try crankbaits, plastic worms or “creature” baits such as fake crawdads.

Redear sunfish have grown to trophy size in Lake Havasu, with a new state and world record being caught in 2011 (5.55 pounds). Redear sunfish in the 2-pound range and larger are regularly caught. Bluegill and redear can be caught around structure such as docks, vegetation, or artificial structure using mealworms, night crawlers, or small crappie jigs.

Channel catfish are widespread in the lake and can be caught using night crawlers, anchovies, chicken liver, stinkbait or about anything that “stinks”. For flathead catfish it is best to use live bait such as bluegill or small carp. Flathead catfish are relatively uncommon in the upper part of the lake, but much more abundant in the lower half, especially in the vicinity of the Bill Williams River arm of the reservoir. Catfish can be caught any time of the year but your best bet is at night during the summer.

Large carp are abundant in the lake and can provide some exciting fishing. Twenty to twenty-five pound carp are not uncommon. Most people use canned corn or dough balls.

Not much change here over the past week. The striper bite remains very slow. Only a few fish showing from south end of the lake on baits or deeply-fished lures. The largemouth action is slow to fair on deeper-water structure on jigs and plastics, while the smallmouth are best on gravel flats and outcroppings on jigs or deep-running, slow-fished cranks. The panfish bite is pretty slow with only an occasional redear showing from deeper water on nightcrawlers fished around structure. Information: Bass Tackle Master at 928-854-2277.

Lake Level is 88.87 percent full with average temperature of 56 degrees. Lake Havasu is a 19,300-acre impoundment on the Colorado River, formed by Parker Dam. It is located along the Arizona-California border and is approximately twenty-five miles long, with a shoreline that extends more than one hundred miles. Lake Havasu is best known for its striped bass, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass fishing. It also has good fishing for channel catfish, flathead catfish, and sunfish, including some monster redear sunfish. There are also abundant carp and limited numbers of crappie.
 
Striper fishing has been challenging in recent years, with easy limits of small fish no longer the rule, as was the case five or six years ago. However, the average size of the striped bass caught has increased. Using live shad for bait is a good bet any time of the year. During the cooler months, stripers are usually found in deeper water, and fishing on the bottom or trolling with live shad or cut anchovies is a good bet. During the warmer months, fishing topwater lures that resemble shad near “boils” or where birds are actively feeding is your best bet for some exciting action.
 
The largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing has been steadily improving over the last several years. Tournament anglers are regularly weighing in bags of 5 fish that weigh over 20 pounds, and it is not uncommon to catch bass over 5 pounds and some even approaching 10 pounds. There are many different techniques used for largemouth bass. As a general rule, most people will use topwater lures such as buzzbaits or spinnerbaits in the early morning and then switch to jigs, crankbaits, or swimbaits as the day progresses. Using plastic baits that resemble worms, crawdads, frogs, or lizards often work well. It is generally best to fish around structure such as weedbeds, emergent vegetation, boat docks, or artificial habitat. Fishing picks up as the water temperatures warm up in the spring and summer but bucketmouths can be had any time of the year.
 
Smallmouth bass fishing has really improved in Lake Havasu the last few years, with a new Arizona state record for the Colorado River caught in late 2011 (5.63 pounds). For smallmouth bass it is usually best to fish rocky points, ridges, shorelines, or canyons. Most people use topwater lures, lipless crankbaits or jigs in the mornings and evenings. During the day try crankbaits, plastic worms or “creature” baits such as fake crawdads.
 
Redear sunfish have grown to trophy size in Lake Havasu, with a new state and world record being caught in 2011 (5.55 pounds). Redear sunfish in the 2-pound range and larger are regularly caught. Bluegill and redear can be caught around structure such as docks, vegetation, or artificial structure using mealworms, night crawlers, or small crappie jigs.
Channel catfish are widespread in the lake and can be caught using night crawlers, anchovies, chicken liver, stinkbait or about anything that “stinks”. For flathead catfish it is best to use live bait such as bluegill or small carp. Flathead catfish are relatively uncommon in the upper part of the lake, but much more abundant in the lower half, especially in the vicinity of the Bill Williams River arm of the reservoir. Catfish can be caught any time of the year but your best bet is at night during the summer.
 
Large carp are abundant in the lake and can provide some exciting fishing. Twenty to twenty-five pound carp are not uncommon. Most people use canned corn or dough balls.
 

The striper bite remains very slow. Only a few fish showing from south end of the lake on baits or deeply-fished lures. The largemouth action is slow to fair on deeper-water structure on jigs and plastics, while the smallmouth are best on gravel flats and outcroppings on jigs or deep-running, slow-fished cranks. The panfish bite is pretty slow with only an occasional redear showing from deeper water on nightcrawlers fished around structure. Information: Bass Tackle Master at 928-854-2277.

Cold again this past week. The striper bite is mostly slow with only intermittent action at the south end of the lake on baits or deeply-fished lures. The largemouth action is slow to fair on deeper-water structure on jigs and plastics, while the smallmouth are best on gravel flats and outcroppings on jigs or deep-running, slow-fished cranks. The channel catfish bite is spotty on cut baits in the mouths of most bays and coves, and the odd flathead is still showing up on live bluegill. The panfish bite is pretty slow with only an occasional redear showing from deeper water on nightcrawlers fished around structure. Information: Bass Tackle Master at 928-854-2277.

The striper bite has slowed with only intermittent action at the south end of the lake on baits or deeply-fished lures. The largemouth action is slow to fair on deeper-water structure on jigs and plastics, while the smallmouth are best on gravel flats and outcroppings on jigs or deep-running cranks. The channel catfish bite is spotty on cut baits in the mouths of most bays and coves, and the odd flathead is still showing up on live bluegill. The panfish bite is pretty slow with only an occasional redear showing from deeper water on nightcrawlers fished around structure. Information: Bass Tackle Master at 928-854-2277.