Located in Southern Nevada and Northern Arizona, Lake Mead, Nevada represents a meeting of three desert ecosystems: The Mojave Desert, The Great Basin Desert and The Sonoran Desert. Lake Mead Nevada is composed of five basins which are capable of storing close to two years of water flow from the Colorado River. If you're looking for things to do in Vegas that let you spend some time outdoors, this is a great option for a day trip from the city.

Lake Mead, Nevada gets its name from Elwood Mead, who was the commissioner of the United States Bureau of Reclamation during the construction of the famous Boulder Canyon Project, which would eventually be called the Hoover Dam. The history of the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead are intrinsically linked, since Lake Mead was the first of the four lakes that was built on the Colorado River when the Hoover Dam was constructed. Many tourists in this area visit the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead on the same trip. A great way to visit the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead is to take one of the Lake Mead cruises.

Lake Mead, Nevada is also a popular recreational area for boaters, swimmers, fishermen as well as sunbathers. Hikers and photographers enjoy the desert environment of the Lake Mead Nevada area. If you are interested in wildlife, Lake Mead Nevada has a diverse variety of plant and animal life. Over 240 different types of birds inhabit the area. There are also over 55 types of mammals that call the Lake Mead, Nevada region their home. However, since most of them only come out during the evening, you may not see them on your day time hikes.

Nevada Map

If you would like to go fishing on Lake Mead, you must carry a valid fishing license. If your fishing license is for Arizona, and you plan to fish from a boat or other craft on Lake Mead, you must have a "use stamp" from Nevada. A trout stamp is required in addition to any other use stamps if you wish to catch and keep trout when you are fishing on Lake Mead. When you are fishing on Lake Mead, you are likely to catch largemouth bass, striped bass, channel catfish, crappie, and bluegill. Lake Mead is also famous for its huge stripped and largemouth bass.

Different fish can be caught in different seasons. December though February are excellent for crappie, stripers and bass. In March through May, you will find stripers, bass and bluegill. In June through August, bass, catfish and bluegill fishing is at their best. However, there is still decent striper fishing at 30 feet. From September through November, stripers can be found in shallow water. Bass fishing in Lake Mead will be good until the end of October. Crappie fishing in Lake Mead usually picks up as the water cools.