Gong boating in Nevada? Most of Nevada is covered by desert landscapes. However, this semi-arid state is so well known for its lonely highways, red rocks, and expansive stretches of sand.
It also offers beautiful National Parks and State Parks, the Grand Canyon, and some spectacular waterways. You’ll find world-famous Lake Tahoe here, where you can launch a boat, get a little wet, and enjoy a day on the water.
When in the state, visit the glittering Las Vegas strip or a city like Reno. You can also visit a small, cozy town like Virginia City or Elko, known for being on the doorstep of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. We also recommend checking out the Ruby Mountains.
Regardless, Nevada has a place and a water venue for everybody. So get out to some of our favorite spots and take it all in!
Best Boating Lakes in Nevada
Where to hit the water in Nevada really depends on what area of this state you plan on visiting. But to get you started, we thought we’d name just a few of our favorite places to hit the water.
Our list of Nevada’s best boating lakes includes these. Lake Mead, Lake Tahoe, Marlette Lake (paddlers only!), Lake Mohave, and the Lahontan Reservoir.
Lake Mead
Boat, hike, cycle, camp, and fish at America’s most diverse national recreation area. Lake Mead offers striking landscapes and brilliant blue waters. This year-round playground spreads across 1.5 million acres of mountains, canyons, valleys, and two vast lakes.
See the Hoover Dam from the waters of Lake Mead or Lake Mohave. Find solitude in one of the park’s nine wilderness areas.
Boating on Lakes Mead and Mohave is one of the more popular activities here. With more than 290 square miles of waterway to navigate, boaters can enjoy the thrill of open water. Alternatively, you can relax in a private cove.
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is considered one of the oldest lakes in the world. It attracts over 2.7 million visitors per year. It offers an array of outdoor adventures and sports like hiking, biking, boating, fishing, golfing, skiing, river rafting, and more.
Its popularity is due to the beautiful scenery, including views of the 7,000+ foot mountain and stunning lake featuring postcard-perfect shorelines. Visitors to Lake Tahoe say that the water is bluer than the sky and rave about the stunning surrounding hills and forests.
Lake Tahoe has a marina where boat rentals are available. Take in the scenery and experience from the lake itself, whether out for a cruise, paddle, or go on boat tours to Emerald Bay. Crystal-clear water and vistas abound!
Marlette Lake
Marlette Lake was constructed in 1873 when a small earthen dam was erected at the outlet of a broad glaciated basin. This basin naturally drained into Lake Tahoe. Marlette Lake covers 381 surface acres and has a maximum depth of 45 feet.
The State of Nevada purchased this lake and the surrounding land in 1963. The goal was to maintain backcountry recreation. Fishing was then allowed in 2006.
The lake is used as a brood lake for rainbow and cutthroat trout. Spawning operations occur annually, and offspring are used to stock waterbodies around the state. Rainbow trout range between 12 and 18 inches. Cutthroat trout range between 12 and 20 inches, and brook trout range between 10 and 18 inches.
Note That Marlette Lake is closed to vehicles. Anglers must walk, mountain bike, or ride horseback about 5 miles (from Spooner Lake, the most popular route) to reach the lake. Nevada State Parks allows backcountry camping at nearby Marlette Peak. It has water, a restroom, tables, fire rings, and bear-resistant storage boxes.
Lake Mohave
Lake Mohave is a reservoir on the Colorado River created in 1951. It was formed following the completion of Davis Dam near present-day Laughlin, Nevada, and Bullhead City, Arizona. The reservoir was named after the Mohave Indians who had previously inhabited this region of the Colorado River valley.
The lake extends approximately 67 miles along the valley from Hoover Dam to Davis Dam. It straddles the southern Nevada and northwestern Arizona border, which follows the original river channel.
Lake Mohave provides a variety of recreational opportunities. Boating, fishing, and scuba diving are all popular pastimes here. Three marinas with launch ramps are located on Lake Mohave. Two are in Arizona (Willow Beach and Katherine Landing), and one is in Nevada (Cottonwood Cove).
An additional launch ramp is located at Princess Cove on the Arizona side near Katherine Landing. Lake Mohave provides aquatic and riparian habitats for native fish and a variety of introduced game fish, desert wildlife, and plants.
Lahontan Reservoir
Willows and cottonwoods scattered along 69 miles of shoreline along the Lahontan Reservoir. It is one of the most popular places in Nevada to boat, fish, water-ski, horseback ride, camp, and enjoy the outdoors year-round.
Canoeing from Fort Churchill to the lake can make for a great day trip. Wild horses, bobcats, foxes, and deer share the park. Along with a variety of birds, including migratory waterfowl, pelicans, herons, egrets, and hawks. Lahontan is also a nesting site for bald eagles.
Nevada’s National and State Parks
Nevada’s National and State Parks offer outdoor enthusiasts great places to go exploring in both the Northern and Southern Regions of the state. You can go sightseeing, hiking, boating, climbing.
Some of Nevada’s most popular parks include Death Valley National Park and its dauntingly parched landscape. Additionally, Cathedral Gorge State Park has amazing canyons, and, of course, Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park with its awesome boating and beaches.
Visit the Nevada State Parks website for more information about boating opportunities or restrictions.
Fishing in Nevada
With over 600 rivers and streams and over 200 lakes and reservoirs, there’s no risk of running out of sport fishing locations in Nevada. So grab your gear, put some fuel in the boat, and hit the water.
Nevada’s sport fishing lakes are home to red band trout, mountain whitefish, Bonneville cutthroat, bull trout, and striped bass, among other fish species that can be found in the state.
Before you go fishing in Nevada, find out everything you need to know about the state fishing regulations and fishing license requirements. Also, be aware of Nevada’s boating license requirements. Visit the Nevada Department of Wildlife website for more information.
Stay Safe When Boating in Nevada This Season
We don’t know about you, but we’re excited to go boating in Nevada after reading about these lakes and waterways! However, before you head out on the water, make sure you know how to protect yourself and others on the water.
BOATsmart! is here to help. Our online boater education course for Nevada is a fun and informative way to learn boating safety essentials required by the state for all boat operators born on or after January 1, 1983. After completing the course, take the online exam and get your boater education card, and then you’re ready to boat legally in Nevada!
Published in November 2018. Content most recently reviewed and updated for relevancy and accuracy October 9, 2024.
