Fishing Lake Havasu

by Bobbi Holmes

           When we were kids my dad would hang a lantern over our boat dock at Havasu Palms, to attract the schools of crappie. In those days we could catch dozens and dozens, at one sitting.  A fish fry was a special event, a gathering of the local residents, whom we considered family and friends.
           We used to hear scary stories about giant catfish, who’d made their watery homes at the base of Parker Dam. Those cats, so the stories went, could match any human diver in size.  Were those tales true? I have no idea.  Yet, I do know these days we hear more stories about the stripper bass, who seem to have become Lake Havasu’s favorite catch.
           In our family, there has been an ongoing disagreement as to why Havasu’s crappie are no longer as abundant as in the sixties. One popular opinion in our family, is that the introduction of the strippers disrupted the crappie population. Yet, another opinion  is that the  irregular water levels of Lake Havasu, which occurred years ago, and caused flooding along the river, disrupted the crappie habitat. Either way, I miss those crappie fries.
           Lake Havasu is still a great place for fishing. Yet, the fishing licensing can be a little confusing. A portion of the California side of the lake is part of the Chemehuevi Indian Reservation, and the Tribe often requires a Tribal license of fishermen who fish from their shores.
           California residents can use their California fishing license when fishing from the California shore, and providing they have the appropriate stamps.  They may need an additional stamp if fishing from a boat. 
           Fishermen from Arizona, California or other states, need to check with a local licensing agency, to see what are the appropriate license or stamps necessary for fishing from the California shore, the Arizona shore, the reservation shore or from a boat. Many of the local sporting good stores offer fishing licenses and stamps for sale.
       The Bureau of Interior Office, located on the south side of town, has fishing regulation brochures for those needing additional information.

Havasu Fishing Piers

Havasu Springs
Hwy. 95, 10 miles south of
Lake Havasu City,
Arizona, 86403

Mesquite Bay
London Bridge Road, North of Industrial Blvd.
Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Site 6
On the Island, Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Take Off Point
Parker Dam, off Hwy 95