Lake Havasu
AZ · CAA 45-mile reservoir on the Colorado River behind Parker Dam. Warm water most of the year, sandy coves, boat-in campsites and the London Bridge in town.
Photo: CWanamaker · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Heads up: Off-season trips are quieter. Many owners still rent on calm, sunny weekends.
Quick facts
- Surface area
- About 19,300 acres
- Length
- About 45 miles
- Elevation
- About 450 ft
- Formed by
- Parker Dam (1938)
- Motors
- No horsepower limit; no-wake zones in Bridgewater Channel
- Nearest town
- Lake Havasu City, AZ
- Best season
- March–May, Sept–Nov
- Licenses
- AZ or CA license; Colorado River stamp to fish both sides by boat
Get on the water
Ramps & rentals
Windsor Beach
Hand-checkedSite Six
Hand-checkedTake Off Point
Hand-checkedCattail Cove
Hand-checkedHavasu Landing
Hand-checkedBoat ramp
© OpenStreetMap contributorsMarina
© OpenStreetMap contributorsLake Havasu Marina
© OpenStreetMap contributorsRent a boat for Lake Havasu
Pontoons, ski boats and fishing boats from local owners, with or without a captain.
Affiliate linkWhere to stay
Camp near the water
Windsor Beach Campground
Hand-checkedCattail Cove State Park
Hand-checkedShoreline boat-in sites
Hand-checkedHavasu Landing Resort
Hand-checkedPrivate sites nearby
Ranch, desert and waterfront sites hosted by landowners.
Affiliate linkCabins and hotels near Lake Havasu
Lake houses, cabins and hotels close to the water, with free cancellation on many stays.
Affiliate linkWhat's biting
Fishing by month
| Species | Origin | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Striped bassReproduces in the lake. Boils on shad at dawn. | Wild | ||||||||||||
| Largemouth bassReproduces in the lake. Spawns on habitat structures in spring. | Wild | ||||||||||||
| Smallmouth bassReproduces in the lake. Rocky points and the island. | Wild | ||||||||||||
| Redear sunfishReproduces in the lake. Known for record-size redear. | Wild | ||||||||||||
| Channel catfishReproduces in the lake. Night fishing in summer. | Wild | ||||||||||||
| Flathead catfishReproduces in the river. Big fish on live bait. | Wild |
Lighter is slow, darker is peak. The outlined column is this month. "Reported" means only one verified catch record so far.
Book a fishing charter
Half-day and full-day trips with gear and local know-how.
Affiliate linksGear for these fish
Partner linksFishing rules · Arizona
Limits & regulations
Off the water
Nearby trails
Crack in the Mountain
Hand-checkedSARA Park Loop
Hand-checkedBill Williams River NWR
Hand-checkedTrailheads from OpenStreetMap and hand-checked notes. Open the trailhead in your hiking app for full route details.
Before you launch
Gas, bait & supplies nearby
Gas and fuel docks
- Shell0.6 mi
- Smith's Gas StationDiesel0.6 mi
- Marathon0.6 mi
- Maverik0.6 mi
Groceries and ice
RV dump and fresh water
- RV dump stationDump station12.3 mi
Hospitals and urgent care
- Havasu Regional Medical CenterEmergency 101 Civic Center Lane, Lake Havasu City · 24/70.9 miCall
- Parker Urgent Care 401 West Riverside Drive, Parker22.1 mi
- Parker Indian Health Center 12033 West Agency Avenue, Parker22.3 miCall
- La Paz Regional HospitalEmergency 1200 West Mohave Road, Parker · 24/723.2 miCall
Distances are straight-line from the water. Listings © OpenStreetMap contributors; hours change, so call ahead. In an emergency, call 911.
Trip planner
Build your weekend
National Weather Service forecast. Afternoon wind builds on big lakes; plan crossings for the morning.
Packing list
Don't forget
Photos
Lake Havasu in pictures
Good to know
Lake Havasu FAQ
Can you rent a boat on Lake Havasu?
Yes. Boat rentals for Lake Havasu can be searched on Boatsetter, where local owners list pontoons, ski boats and fishing boats, some with a captain. Availability changes by season, so book early for summer weekends. Public launches include Windsor Beach, Site Six, Take Off Point, Cattail Cove.
Where can I launch a boat on Lake Havasu?
Boat ramps and marinas listed for this water: Windsor Beach, Site Six, Take Off Point, Cattail Cove, Havasu Landing, Boat ramp. Fees and hours change by season, so check with the managing agency before you tow.
Where can I camp near Lake Havasu?
Campgrounds near the water include Windsor Beach Campground, Cattail Cove State Park, Shoreline boat-in sites, Havasu Landing Resort. When public sites are full, private sites nearby are listed on Hipcamp.
What fish are in Lake Havasu?
Lake Havasu has Striped bass, Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Redear sunfish, Channel catfish, Flathead catfish.
What is the water level of Lake Havasu today?
On 2026-10-19, Lake Havasu was at 448.19 feet, 1.8 feet below full pool. That's down 0.55 feet from a week earlier. Source: Bureau of Reclamation, updated daily.
Is there gas near Lake Havasu?
The closest listed fuel is Shell, about 0.6 miles from the water.
Do I need a fishing license at Lake Havasu?
Yes. In Arizona, anyone 10 or older needs a Arizona fishing license, and some waters need extra stamps or validations. Check the state wildlife agency for current rules before you fish.
Keep exploring
Nearby water
Sources: USGS 3DHP, Recreation.gov RIDB, OpenStreetMap contributors, CDFW and AZGFD, GBIF, NWS. Photo credits are listed on the photo credits page. All outbound links are affiliate links.