What fish are at Lake Mead?

Striped Bass (NPS says Lake Mead is famous for striped bass, with an occasional catch over 40 pounds), Largemouth Bass (NDOW lists largemouth bass among the primary game fish), Smallmouth Bass (NDOW lists smallmouth bass among the primary game fish. First found here in 1999), and Channel Catfish (NDOW lists channel catfish among the primary game fish), plus 4 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

Lake Mead fishing

Fishing at Lake Mead is on a reservoir. Fish recorded here include Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Bluegill, Crappie, and 2 more. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass, and Smallmouth Bass, dusk and night for Channel Catfish, and dawn, day, and dusk for Bluegill.

Last stocked

Not in these reports

Plants on record

Species recorded

Surface acres

150,000

Elevation

1,229 ft

Common questions

What fish are at Lake Mead?: Striped Bass (NPS says Lake Mead is famous for striped bass, with an occasional catch over 40 pounds), Largemouth Bass (NDOW lists largemouth bass among the primary game fish), Smallmouth Bass (NDOW lists smallmouth bass among the primary game fish. First found here in 1999), and Channel Catfish (NDOW lists channel catfish among the primary game fish), plus 4 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
How do you get on Lake Mead?: Shore fishing is available. The nearest town is Boulder City, NV. Facilities include restrooms, camping, and cleaning station. NDOW lists this Hoover Dam reservoir at 150,000 acres and 110 miles long when full, with a maximum depth of 465 feet. The last plant was in 2011, when the Lake Mead Hatchery closed. Shore fishing is allowed. Cleaning stations are at Hemenway Harbor, Callville Bay, and Echo Bay.

Access and facts

Water type: reservoir
Nearest town: Boulder City, NV
Shore access: Yes
Facilities: restrooms, camping, cleaning station

NDOW lists this Hoover Dam reservoir at 150,000 acres and 110 miles long when full, with a maximum depth of 465 feet. The last plant was in 2011, when the Lake Mead Hatchery closed. Shore fishing is allowed. Cleaning stations are at Hemenway Harbor, Callville Bay, and Echo Bay.

Sources: ndow.org, accessed September 23, 2026 , en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 23, 2026 , nps.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , ndow.org, accessed September 23, 2026 , nps.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , nps.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , ndow.org, accessed September 23, 2026 , nps.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , nps.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , ndow.org, accessed September 23, 2026

View larger map · Open on Google Maps

What to watch for

NPS says razorback sucker and bonytail may be in the lake and should be returned. NDOW notes quagga mussels, summer heat up to 115 F, and wind that can make the water rough.

Stocking history

No stocking events in the current reports for Lake Mead.

Species found here

Confirmed present independent of the stocking records above, not from a stocking event.

Striped Bass : NPS says Lake Mead is famous for striped bass, with an occasional catch over 40 pounds. (nps.gov, accessed September 23, 2026)
Largemouth Bass : NDOW lists largemouth bass among the primary game fish. (ndow.org, accessed September 23, 2026)
Smallmouth Bass : NDOW lists smallmouth bass among the primary game fish. First found here in 1999. (ndow.org, accessed September 23, 2026)
Channel Catfish : NDOW lists channel catfish among the primary game fish. (ndow.org, accessed September 23, 2026)
Bluegill : NDOW lists bluegill among the primary game fish. (ndow.org, accessed September 23, 2026)
Black Crappie : NDOW lists black crappie among the primary game fish. (ndow.org, accessed September 23, 2026)
Green Sunfish : NDOW lists green sunfish among the primary game fish. (ndow.org, accessed September 23, 2026)
Tilapia : NDOW says tilapia are caught in the Overton Arm and Boulder Basin. (ndow.org, accessed September 23, 2026)

Species stocked here

No species recorded here yet.