Lake Mead, NV

Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the United States. It is located on the Colorado River about 30 miles (48 km) southeast of Las Vegas, Nevada, in the states of Nevada and Arizona.  Formed by water impounded by the Hoover Dam, it extends 112 miles (180 km) behind the dam, holding approximately 28.5 million acre feet (or 9.28 trillion gallons) of water.  There are nine main access points to the lake.  On the west are 3 roads from the Las Vegas metropolitan area.  Access from the northwest from Interstate 15 is through Valley of Fire State Park and the Moapa River Indian Reservation to the Overton arm of the lake.

The lake is divided into several bodies.  The large body closest to the Hoover Dam is Boulder Basin.  The narrow channel, which was once known as Boulder Canyon and is now known as The Narrows, connects Boulder Basin to Virgin Basin to the east.  The Virgin River and Muddy River empty into the Overton Arm, which is connected to the northern part of the Virgin Basin.  The next basin to the east is Temple Basin, and following that is Gregg Basin, which is connected to the Temple Basin by the Virgin Canyon.  When the lake levels are high enough, a section of the lake farther upstream from the Gregg Basin is flooded, which includes Grand Wash Bay and the Pearce Ferry Bay and launch ramp.  In addition, there are two tiny basins, the Muddy River Inlet and the Virgin River Basin, that are flooded when the lake is high enough where these two rivers flow into the lake.   As of now, however, these basins remain dry.

To fish within the states of Nevada or Arizona, you must carry with you a valid fishing license. If your license is for Arizona, and you plan to fish from a boat or other craft on lakes Mead and/or Mohave, or on the shoreline of Nevada, then you must have a "use stamp" from Nevada (and vice-versa).