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Thread: LakeMohave, where to sray?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    hi desert
    Posts
    80

    Default LakeMohave, where to stay?

    What's up guys was thinking about planning a trip to Lake Mohave sometime in October. Was wondering if you can camp on the shore or if you have to rent a camp ground. I will be taking my boat so if I have to rent a space I want to keep the boat in the water in a slip. I heard you can rent condos or something somewhere and if that is affordable I might just do that since I like my showers. Was wondering what I need to fish the lake also, licensing and whatever else for me my boat and kids. Wouldn't mind some help on gear and a few hot spots. I will mostly be going for the striper, heard and seen some whoppers come out of there. Any info would be appreciated thanks guys.
    Last edited by phelanfisher; 09-06-2017 at 03:00 PM.

  2. #2

    Default

    We had a great time staying in Laughlin at one of the casino hotels and launching our boat at Katherine's Landing. Many options in Laughlin / Bullhead City within striking distance to southern lake Mohave.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Orange
    Posts
    1,204

    Default

    I've always stayed in laughlin and launched at Katherine's.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Palm Springs, CA
    Posts
    95

    Default

    Check out Katherine's Landing. They offer camping and rooms very affordable. Watch the forecast for heavy winds. And good luck!

    ---Mike

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Apple Valley,CA.
    Posts
    760

    Default

    Check cottonwood cove out of searchlight I have not been there in quite a few years but they did have a campground and a motel right by the marina. Plus if you have kid with you way better than running from Katherines landing in the wind cause it gets bad at times.

  6. #6

    Default

    Greta timing on your post. I too plan on going to Mohave in late October early November. I plan on targeting bass. What area is the best place to stay to target bass? I prefer to camp.

  7. #7

    Default

    I usually hit Mohave in Oct/Nov as well. Highly recommend Cottonwood Cove. This is all part of the Lake Mead Recreation Area so it's governed by the Feds and even if you shore camp you have to pay to enter it. Good marina, rental slips with electric, hotel as well as rental mobile homes (but since we are entering the "off season" availability on the mobile homes is "iffy"). They also have a complete campground if you want to rent a site for a tent, trailer, or mobile home. There won't be a whole lot of people outside of fishermen (they have a pretty sizeable houseboat fleet, but they are pretty much done for the season - I've never seen one out this time of year - you pretty much will have the lakes and coves to yourself. On the NV side there are dirt roads that access some of the coves and canyons (Aztec Wash, Nelson's, etc) where you might see shore fisherman, but on the AZ side really the only easy access is by boat. And plenty of opportunities to shore camp. Depending on your boat and your preferences; plenty of good coves to camp or to get into out of the wind in the afternoons coming up from the south. And usually the wind will come up in the afternoon, blowing up from the south. They also have a pretty good store in the marina and the prices aren't that out of control (except on alcohol) considering how far from anywhere you are. OK selection of emergency everything from boat stuff to food stuff.
    If you are coming in from SoCal, I usually tow the boat empty, then fill up the tanks in Searchlight (it is all downhill from there; they have gas in the marina as well but obviously cheaper to buy it in Searchlight than to pay the weight penalty of towing it or buying at the marina). Side note: scrupulously follow ALL motor vehicle laws to the letter in and around Searchlight, the Nevada State Patrol uses it as a "revenue generation center" (Ha!).
    As far as permits, etc, the Nevada Department of Wildlife is a FAR CRY from what you are used to here in Cali - they are really good - go to their website and get your temporary permits online. I usually go with a 4 day permit, a CO River enhancement, and a second rod stamp (in 2016 was $52). Easier to buy them here than at the Marina; all they are going to do is have you go online there so you might as well do it here. Also need to mention that while there is internet and cell service in the Cottonwood area (it's spotty) once you leave the immediate marina area communications are iffy, at best. You should also pony up $20 for the Nevada Quagga sticker. Also, you will get a letter from Nevada DOW at the end of the year asking you for feedback and suggestions - when was the last time that happened here?
    Fishing...I like to do a lot of lead line trolling for big stripers (hence the Second Rod Stamp) and also at night or while shore camping to have a couple of catfish lines out with bait (anchovies or mackerel with dips) to keep my son entertained (it's low effort while making camp/relaxing and it only takes one good cat to blow a kids mind!). For the striper trolling I have an arsenal of Needlefish, other spoons, and some spinners, think in rainbow, or brass color patterns. "Fly Coring" with large white streamers can also be productive. For doing the "bass thing" I will say I am not a specialist, but I keep an arsenal of swimbaits, particular rainbow trout plastics. When the trout hatchery in Willow Beach was in full production they were the "go to" lure; I have caught largemouth, smallmouth, and of course striper on them.
    Other rig you will find on my boat is an ultralight with assorted gear, get into some structure with Green Sunfish and Bluegill and the kids (even us big ones) can have a blast. Important to note that they are a food source for the big predators, so getting into some of the smaller coves I have had my "crew" having a blast on the panfish with worms/grubs etc. but while they are doing that I also make it a point to throw some swimbaits at the same time - never know what is hanging around! The other lure that you will see just about everywhere (and has racked up an impressive array of BIG striper scores) is the AC Plug. I don't have one, but my fishing buddy does, and I have yet to see him outfish me with it - think basically a VERY expen$ive section of broomstick crudely painted to look like a rainbow trout. I have Marlin trollers that don't cost that much...
    On the "besides fishing" front there are areas up around Marker 26 on the AZ side where in the sandstone cliffs you can find minor fossils of simple sea creatures. The further up the lake you go the rockier and more "canyon like" the lake becomes - Willow Beach is a pretty long trek but the scenery is spectacular. Note (and this is seriously a LONG DAY and mega range) you can go beyond Willow Beach up into the canyon below Hoover Dam for scenery - BUT there are horsepower restrictions, and frankly it can be a great place to knock a prop off - you are going to be doing more boat driving than fishing once you are above Willow. But they have an good marina there if you find yourself that far up the canyon and need a "Shore break".
    One other very important note if you have not done this before - be absolutely sure to pull your plug, completely drain your boat, and drop your outdrive/motor before you leave the marina. If you can easily get into the bilge area in the back I would strongly suggest drying it out with towels before leaving. The issue is not NV, but (Welcome to People's Republic of California!) you will be pulled off to the side at the Agricultural Checkpoint outside of Yermo/Barstow and depending on their mood/the day/if the inspector had a bad date last night they will either give you a quick once over and wave you on or will give you a "10 point inspection" in the event that you are transporting radioactive quagga mussels without citizenship papers into California. I will not go into the whole quagga debate here, but the truth is you are in totally infested waters and if you get a jerk inspector (or forget to pull your plug, or have 4 inches of water in your bilge) they say they can seize and quarantine your boat and you have to come back out into the middle of nowhere after 7 days have passed to retrieve it.
    Okay, long post but I love my fall trips to Cottonwood, hope you find this helpful and enjoy your trip as much as we enjoy ours. Good luck whatever you decide (hey, that's why it is called fishing, not catching) and please, please post a follow up report so we can hear about the good time! - Brewcrafter

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Tustin
    Posts
    141

    Default

    Outstanding advice Brewcrafter, we just left Laughlin this morning, didn't fish.
    $3.99 off the exit in California, 15 minutes away Arizona side, $2.38 the gas buddy app saved me some cash. Below Davis dam. Early am very slow flow. Otherwise afternoon and evening were really fast. Boats drifting were moving fast. Didn't see anyone with fish. Saw dink Striper in front of the casino docks early

  9. #9

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Brewcrafter View Post
    I usually hit Mohave in Oct/Nov as well. Highly recommend Cottonwood Cove. This is all part of the Lake Mead Recreation Area so it's governed by the Feds and even if you shore camp you have to pay to enter it. Good marina, rental slips with electric, hotel as well as rental mobile homes (but since we are entering the "off season" availability on the mobile homes is "iffy"). They also have a complete campground if you want to rent a site for a tent, trailer, or mobile home. There won't be a whole lot of people outside of fishermen (they have a pretty sizeable houseboat fleet, but they are pretty much done for the season - I've never seen one out this time of year - you pretty much will have the lakes and coves to yourself. On the NV side there are dirt roads that access some of the coves and canyons (Aztec Wash, Nelson's, etc) where you might see shore fisherman, but on the AZ side really the only easy access is by boat. And plenty of opportunities to shore camp. Depending on your boat and your preferences; plenty of good coves to camp or to get into out of the wind in the afternoons coming up from the south. And usually the wind will come up in the afternoon, blowing up from the south. They also have a pretty good store in the marina and the prices aren't that out of control (except on alcohol) considering how far from anywhere you are. OK selection of emergency everything from boat stuff to food stuff.
    If you are coming in from SoCal, I usually tow the boat empty, then fill up the tanks in Searchlight (it is all downhill from there; they have gas in the marina as well but obviously cheaper to buy it in Searchlight than to pay the weight penalty of towing it or buying at the marina). Side note: scrupulously follow ALL motor vehicle laws to the letter in and around Searchlight, the Nevada State Patrol uses it as a "revenue generation center" (Ha!).
    As far as permits, etc, the Nevada Department of Wildlife is a FAR CRY from what you are used to here in Cali - they are really good - go to their website and get your temporary permits online. I usually go with a 4 day permit, a CO River enhancement, and a second rod stamp (in 2016 was $52). Easier to buy them here than at the Marina; all they are going to do is have you go online there so you might as well do it here. Also need to mention that while there is internet and cell service in the Cottonwood area (it's spotty) once you leave the immediate marina area communications are iffy, at best. You should also pony up $20 for the Nevada Quagga sticker. Also, you will get a letter from Nevada DOW at the end of the year asking you for feedback and suggestions - when was the last time that happened here?
    Fishing...I like to do a lot of lead line trolling for big stripers (hence the Second Rod Stamp) and also at night or while shore camping to have a couple of catfish lines out with bait (anchovies or mackerel with dips) to keep my son entertained (it's low effort while making camp/relaxing and it only takes one good cat to blow a kids mind!). For the striper trolling I have an arsenal of Needlefish, other spoons, and some spinners, think in rainbow, or brass color patterns. "Fly Coring" with large white streamers can also be productive. For doing the "bass thing" I will say I am not a specialist, but I keep an arsenal of swimbaits, particular rainbow trout plastics. When the trout hatchery in Willow Beach was in full production they were the "go to" lure; I have caught largemouth, smallmouth, and of course striper on them.
    Other rig you will find on my boat is an ultralight with assorted gear, get into some structure with Green Sunfish and Bluegill and the kids (even us big ones) can have a blast. Important to note that they are a food source for the big predators, so getting into some of the smaller coves I have had my "crew" having a blast on the panfish with worms/grubs etc. but while they are doing that I also make it a point to throw some swimbaits at the same time - never know what is hanging around! The other lure that you will see just about everywhere (and has racked up an impressive array of BIG striper scores) is the AC Plug. I don't have one, but my fishing buddy does, and I have yet to see him outfish me with it - think basically a VERY expen$ive section of broomstick crudely painted to look like a rainbow trout. I have Marlin trollers that don't cost that much...
    On the "besides fishing" front there are areas up around Marker 26 on the AZ side where in the sandstone cliffs you can find minor fossils of simple sea creatures. The further up the lake you go the rockier and more "canyon like" the lake becomes - Willow Beach is a pretty long trek but the scenery is spectacular. Note (and this is seriously a LONG DAY and mega range) you can go beyond Willow Beach up into the canyon below Hoover Dam for scenery - BUT there are horsepower restrictions, and frankly it can be a great place to knock a prop off - you are going to be doing more boat driving than fishing once you are above Willow. But they have an good marina there if you find yourself that far up the canyon and need a "Shore break".
    One other very important note if you have not done this before - be absolutely sure to pull your plug, completely drain your boat, and drop your outdrive/motor before you leave the marina. If you can easily get into the bilge area in the back I would strongly suggest drying it out with towels before leaving. The issue is not NV, but (Welcome to People's Republic of California!) you will be pulled off to the side at the Agricultural Checkpoint outside of Yermo/Barstow and depending on their mood/the day/if the inspector had a bad date last night they will either give you a quick once over and wave you on or will give you a "10 point inspection" in the event that you are transporting radioactive quagga mussels without citizenship papers into California. I will not go into the whole quagga debate here, but the truth is you are in totally infested waters and if you get a jerk inspector (or forget to pull your plug, or have 4 inches of water in your bilge) they say they can seize and quarantine your boat and you have to come back out into the middle of nowhere after 7 days have passed to retrieve it.
    Okay, long post but I love my fall trips to Cottonwood, hope you find this helpful and enjoy your trip as much as we enjoy ours. Good luck whatever you decide (hey, that's why it is called fishing, not catching) and please, please post a follow up report so we can hear about the good time! - Brewcrafter
    Thanks so much for taking the time to make such an informative post. This will be my first time so I appreciate all the info. Especially the quagga info.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Posts
    15

    Default

    This may be late but do this...Check in with Katherine's Landing store and put your boat in a slip. The price is very reasonable. Then stay at the aquarius. They just redid the rooms and they have a brand new pool. Simple as that. Have a GREAT time.

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