Where to fish for striped bass at Lake Mohave

Finding those elusive striped bass in a massive body of water like Lake Mohave can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, leaving many anglers frustrated and wondering where to even start. It’s tough when you know the fish are there, but you’re just not connecting with them. This comprehensive guide will peel back the layers on Lake Mohave’s striper hotbeds, giving you the specific locations and insights you need to significantly improve your chances of a successful outing.

Understanding Striped Bass Movements on Lake Mohave

Before we dive into the exact spots, it’s crucial to understand why striped bass hang out where they do on Lake Mohave. These fish are predators, driven by their need to feed, and their movements are almost entirely dictated by the availability of their primary food source: threadfin shad. Lake Mohave, much like its downstream neighbor, Lake Havasu, holds a robust population of these baitfish, and learning to "read" the lake for signs of shad is paramount to finding stripers.

The Striped Bass Diet: Following the Shad

Striped bass in Lake Mohave are true opportunists, but their main meal is undoubtedly the threadfin shad. These small, silvery baitfish congregate in large schools, often near structure, temperature breaks, or in open water. Stripers will relentlessly pursue these schools, often herding them against canyon walls or into coves before launching an attack. This predatory behavior leads to what anglers call "boils" – violent surface feeding frenzies where stripers literally churn the water as they smash into schools of shad.

Understanding this dynamic means you should always be on the lookout for signs of baitfish. A good fish finder can be invaluable here, helping you locate dense schools of shad in the water column. If you find the bait, the stripers are usually not far behind, either actively feeding or waiting in ambush. Pay attention to areas where shallow coves transition into deeper channels, as these are natural ambush points for hungry stripers.

Seasonal Patterns and Water Temperature

Just like us, striped bass react to changes in the weather and, more importantly, water temperature. Their movements and preferred depths will shift throughout the year, impacting where you should concentrate your efforts.

• Spring (March-May): As water temperatures rise, stripers become more active and start moving into shallower coves and creek arms where shad begin to spawn. This is an excellent time for topwater action, especially during dawn and dusk. The fish are often more spread out but actively feeding.
• Summer (June-August): When the desert heat really kicks in and surface water temperatures soar, stripers will often go deeper to seek cooler, more oxygenated water. They’ll still come up to feed during early morning and late evening boils, but during the day, they'll typically be found in 30-80 feet of water, often suspended over deep channels or around submerged humps. This is when deep jigging or trolling becomes highly effective. For those who enjoy the cooler temperatures and unique challenges, Lake Mohave Rainbow Trout Water also offers diverse fishing, but for stripers, the heat usually means going deep.
• Fall (September-November): This is arguably the prime time for striped bass fishing on Lake Mohave. As temperatures cool, the stripers become incredibly aggressive, trying to fatten up for winter. Massive schools of shad are often pushed to the surface, leading to spectacular boils that can last for hours. The fish will be found throughout the water column, from surface-feeding frenzies to deeper, more consistent schools.
• Winter (December-February): While fishing can slow down, it doesn't stop. Stripers will move into deeper, more stable water, often congregating in large schools near major drop-offs, canyon walls, or around the deepest parts of the lake. They'll be less active, but a slow, methodical approach with jigs or cut bait can still yield big results. Knowing the general Nevada Fishing Seasons by Month can really help tailor your approach.

Prime Striped Bass Fishing Locations on Lake Mohave

Lake Mohave is a long, narrow reservoir, stretching for 67 miles between Davis Dam and Hoover Dam. Its diverse geography, from the river-like northern section to the wider, more open southern basin, offers varied habitats for striped bass. Identifying key areas within these different zones is crucial.

The Northern Riverine Section: Willow Beach to Cottonwood Cove

This stretch of Lake Mohave, particularly from Willow Beach down to Cottonwood Cove, is legendary for its clear, cold water and big striped bass. The steady flow from Davis Dam keeps the water well-oxygenated and provides consistent habitat.

• Willow Beach: Right below Davis Dam, Willow Beach is famous for its massive rainbow trout stocking program by the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). While this attracts trout anglers, it also acts as a magnet for trophy-sized striped bass. These big stripers often prey on the stocked trout. Look for them lurking around current breaks, eddies, and deeper holes near the marina or further downstream. Fishing with larger swimbaits or trout-imitating lures can be very effective here. Many anglers who book trips through platforms like FishingBooker specifically target this area for its potential to land a giant.
• Current Seams and Deep Channels: As you move downstream from Willow Beach, the channel remains prominent. Stripers will hold in the deeper sections, especially where current seams create natural feeding lanes. These spots are often best targeted with vertically jigged spoons or heavy baits dropped directly into the deeper water.
• Small Coves and Points: Interspersed along this riverine section are numerous small coves and rocky points. While the main channel holds fish, these protected areas can be great for ambush predators, especially during times of active shad presence. Keep an eye out for submerged rocks or ledges that provide structure.

The Southern Basin: Cottonwood Cove to Laughlin/Bullhead City

Below Cottonwood Cove, the lake widens considerably, becoming more typical of a large desert reservoir. This area offers vast expanses of open water, large coves, and submerged islands, all of which can hold significant numbers of striped bass.

• Cottonwood Cove Area: This popular recreation area isn't just a launch point; the surrounding coves and points, particularly the larger ones that create natural funnel points, are excellent for striped bass. Look for areas with a quick transition from shallow shelves to deeper water. During cooler months, fish can be found shallower, while in summer, they retreat to the depths.
• Kingman Wash and Princess Cove: These larger coves, further south, offer extensive shoreline and deeper water access. They often hold vast schools of shad, attracting large numbers of stripers. Trolling in the open water between points or casting to shorelines where baitfish are schooling can be productive. If you're looking for an expansive area with diverse fishing opportunities, these coves are a great bet.
• Black Canyon and South Towards Laughlin: The southernmost reaches of Lake Mohave, before it narrows into the Colorado River as it approaches Laughlin and Bullhead City, feature wide open spaces and deep main channels. This is where you'll often find large schools of stripers chasing open-water shad. Watching for bird activity (gulls diving on baitfish) can be a dead giveaway for schooling stripers here. This area is also popular for boaters, so knowing the Nevada Boater Education Card Requirement is key before heading out.

Key Structures and Features to Target

Beyond specific geographic locations, understanding the types of underwater structures that attract stripers is vital.

• Drop-offs and Ledges: These are classic striper haunts. Fish will often stage along a ledge, waiting for baitfish to swim by. Look for abrupt depth changes on your fish finder, especially where a flat shelf drops into deeper water.
• Submerged Humps and Islands: Offshore structure that doesn't reach the surface can be goldmines for striped bass. These underwater islands or humps provide cover for baitfish and ambush points for stripers. They often act as congregation points for larger schools, especially when fish are suspended.
• Canyon Walls and Bluffs: Lake Mohave's steep canyon walls provide vertical structure that stripers will often relate to. They can be found cruising these walls at various depths, particularly when shad are pushed against them. Vertical jigging or casting parallel to the walls can be very effective.

Techniques for Locating and Catching Striped Bass

Knowing where to go is only half the battle; knowing how to find and entice those stripers once you're there makes all the difference. Combining the right techniques with knowledge of prime locations will significantly boost your success rate.

Reading the Water and Using Electronics

Developing your ability to "read" the water and effectively use your boat's electronics are two of the most critical skills for striped bass fishing on Lake Mohave.

• Look for Boils: This is the most exciting and obvious sign of actively feeding stripers. A boil is a chaotic surface event where stripers are smashing into schools of shad. If you see birds diving, that’s another clue. When you spot a boil, approach cautiously to avoid spooking the fish, and cast quickly into the commotion. Topwater lures, swimbaits, or even simple Kastmasters can be incredibly effective during these times.
• Bird Activity: Gulls and other seabirds are your friends. If they're diving, circling, or hovering over a particular area, it's a strong indicator that baitfish are being driven to the surface, likely by hungry stripers.
• Fish Finder/Sonar: This is your underwater eye. Learn to interpret what your fish finder is telling you. Look for dense schools of baitfish, often appearing as "clouds" or "balls" on the screen. Below or within these bait schools, you'll often see larger, arched marks – those are your stripers. Pay attention to the depth at which these schools are holding, as it will inform your lure and bait presentation. Sometimes, you'll see large individual arches suspended mid-water over deep channels; these are often larger, solitary stripers. Many anglers consider a quality fish finder to be part of the Nevada Fishing Gear Essentials.

Best Times and Conditions

While stripers can be caught all day, certain times and conditions tend to be more productive.

• Dawn and Dusk: These low-light periods are almost universally the best times for active striper feeding, especially for surface activity. The cooler air and water temperatures encourage baitfish to move shallower, and stripers follow suit.
• Overcast Days: Cloud cover can extend the prime fishing window, as it reduces light penetration and keeps water temperatures more stable, making stripers feel more comfortable in shallower water for longer periods.
• Windy Conditions: A choppy surface can be a blessing in disguise. The wind breaks up the water, making it harder for baitfish to coordinate and for stripers to be seen. It also pushes baitfish against shorelines and points, concentrating them. Focus on the windblown side of points and coves.
• Moon Phases: Many experienced striper anglers swear by moon phases, especially the new and full moons, which can influence tidal movements and fish activity even in landlocked reservoirs.

Guided Trips and Local Expertise

For those new to Lake Mohave or wanting to maximize their chances, especially for targeting trophy striped bass, hiring a local guide can be an invaluable investment. Guides spend countless hours on the water, tracking fish movements, and understanding the nuances of the lake. They can put you on fish much faster than you might find them on your own. Platforms like FishingBooker connect anglers with experienced local guides who know Lake Mohave's secrets intimately. A trip with an expert can teach you specific Jigging Techniques for Lake Mead Stripers (many of which apply to Mohave) or how to effectively use live bait in certain situations.

Location/Feature	Primary Appeal	Best Times to Fish	Key Techniques
Willow Beach (below Davis Dam)	Trophy stripers preying on stocked trout	Year-round, especially spring/fall; early morning/late evening	Large swimbaits, trout imitation lures, deep jigging
Current Seams & Deep Channels (Northern Mohave)	Stripers holding in current breaks, ambush points	Year-round, especially summer (deeper)	Vertical jigging, heavy spoons, drop-shot, live shad
Cottonwood Cove Area	Extensive coves, points, quick depth transitions	Spring (shallow), Summer (deep), Fall (all depths)	Trolling, casting to points, topwater during boils
Kingman Wash & Princess Cove	Large open coves, consistent baitfish schools	Fall (boils), Summer (deeper trolling)	Trolling umbrella rigs, swimbaits, looking for bird activity
Submerged Humps & Drop-offs	Offshore structure, congregation points for bait and stripers	Year-round, especially when fish are suspended	Deep jigging, downrigging, trolling with electronics
Canyon Walls & Bluffs	Vertical structure, good for ambush predators	Year-round, especially early morning/late evening	Casting parallel to walls, vertical jigs, live bait

Remember that part of the joy of fishing is the hunt, the exploration, and the learning process. Lake Mohave is a truly special place for fishing, offering some incredible opportunities for striped bass. Always make sure you understand the current Nevada Fishing Regulations Explained before you head out, and secure your Nevada Fishing License Guide. Good luck out there, and tight lines!

Disclaimer

Please be aware that fishing conditions and regulations can change. Always consult the latest Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) regulations before any fishing trip to ensure compliance. The information provided in this guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.