Havasu Lake Fishing
San Bernardino County, CDFW Inland Deserts Region, 19,300 acres.
- 14launches
- 19,300acres
- 482 ftelevation
Photo: Dorian Wallender from Lake Havasu City, Arizona, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Havasu Lake from an angler’s seat
The lake called Havasu Lake lies in San Bernardino County and falls in the CDFW Inland Deserts Region. At 19,300 acres, that is the size CDFW publishes. Its elevation is roughly 482 feet. About 33 miles separate it from Needles, the nearest town. Storage capacity behind Parker Dam Dam (Colorado River) is 648,000 acre-feet.
CDFW notes black bass, catfish, sunfish and crappie and striped bass here. Launch records list 14 mapped launches for the lake, 4 of them named.
Where boats go in on Havasu Lake
- Black Meadow Landing5 lanes, 50 trailer spaces, restrooms
- Havasu Landing Resort and Casino6 lanes, restrooms
- Havasu Palms – Palms Marina (status unknown)boat launch, restrooms
- Site 6boat launch
- Boat launch, Havash Lakeboat launch
- Boat launch, Havash Lakeboat launch
- Boat launch, Havash Lakeboat launch
- Boat launch, Havash Lakeboat launch
- Boat launch, Havash Lakeboat launch
- Boat launch, Havash Lakeboat launch
- Boat launch, Havash Lakeboat launch
- Boat launch, Havash Lakeboat launch
- Boat launch, Havash Lakeboat launch
- Boat launch, Havash Lakeboat launch
Where to put in near Havasu Lake
- Echo Lodge ResortColorado River, 14 miles southeast
- River Lodge ResortColorado River, 14 miles southeast
- Sunshine ResortColorado River, 14 miles southeast
- Rock House Launch RampColorado River, 15 miles south
- Rio Del ColoradoColorado River, 15 miles south
DBW Boating Facilities, USFS recreation sites and OpenStreetMap slipways, checked October 2026.
Storage and elevation at Havasu Lake
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Havasu Near Parker Dam, Az-ca | 49.44 ft gage height | Oct 10 8:30 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 10, 2026 8:43 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Havasu Lake species list
Havasu Lake is on the CDFW quagga and zebra mussel list.
CDFW Fishing Guide species flags; CDFW publishes no fuller species list for most waters.
What you may keep at Havasu Lake
Havasu Lake follows the default lake rules shown here.
| Species | Daily bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black bass | 6 a day | 13 in minimum | All year |
| Trout | 5 a day | none | All year |
| Striped bass | 10 a day | none | All year |
| Sunfish and crappie | 25 a day | none | All year, except closures under district or special regulations |
| Catfish | 10 a day | none | All year |
| Kokanee and inland salmon | 5 a day | none | All year |
CDFW places Havasu Lake in the Colorado River District.
CDFW 2026 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026. All California limits.
Tournaments at Havasu Lake
The tournament page for Havasu Lake has dates and results.
Neighbor lakes compared with Havasu Lake
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Elevation (ft) | Launches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Havasu Lake | 19,300 | 482 | 14 | |
| Ferguson Lake | 100 miles south | 1 | ||
| Squaw Lake, Imperial County | 105 miles south | 1 | ||
| Salton Sea | 114 miles southwest | 11 | ||
| Ramer Lake | 116 miles southwest | 1 | ||
| Cahuilla Park Lake | 126 miles southwest | 135 | 50 | 0 |
The ground around Havasu Lake
More still water near Havasu Lake
- Ferguson Lake100 miles south
- Squaw Lake, Imperial County105 miles south
- Salton Sea114 miles southwest
- Ramer Lake116 miles southwest
- Cahuilla Park Lake126 miles southwest
Towns ringing Havasu Lake
- Needles33 miles
Counties holding Havasu Lake
- San Bernardino Countyseat: San Bernardino
Things to know before Havasu Lake
Where does Havasu Lake lie in California?
In San Bernardino County, about 33 miles from Needles.
How large is Havasu Lake on the CDFW entry?
The published figure is 19,300 acres.
Is Havasu Lake open to trailered boats?
14 launches are mapped, starting with Havasu Landing Resort and Casino.
What can I catch at Havasu Lake?
Expect black bass, catfish, sunfish and crappie and striped bass.
Are fish planted in Havasu Lake?
No current plants are on record.
Do statewide limits apply at Havasu Lake?
The default lake limits cover it.
Is Havasu Lake open to anglers with no California license?
A California sport fishing license from age 16; resident annual is $64.54.
What is the water level at Havasu Lake?
Check the USGS reading on this page.
Is bait sold near Havasu Lake?
No listed shop within 25 miles; stock up before you leave town.
Head up to Havasu Lake
The license page lists every California limit.