Consider renting boat before buying

Lake Mead and Lake Mohave offer excellent fishing opportunities for a variety of species, ranging from largemouth bass to striped bass and from catfish to bluegill. Throw in the fast-growing population of smallmouth bass, and this equates to a great opportunity for new and experienced anglers.

These lakes also offer excellent opportunities for the nonangler who simply enjoys exploring remote country or taking a pleasure cruise. And no matter one's recreational interests, who can resist stopping to view the desert bighorn sheep often seen in the backs of isolated coves or along steep canyon walls.

While some of these recreational opportunities can be found in the few shoreline areas open to vehicular access, most are available only to those who have a boat at their disposal. But before you run out and buy a boat, take some time to consider when, where and how often you will actually use that investment. Why make the monthly payments if you're going to use the boat only a couple of times each year?

Another thing to consider, especially in these tough economic times, is whether you can afford those monthly payments, not to mention all the associated maintenance costs that come along with owning a boat. Also, do you have a place to store it or will you need to rent one? With today's small home lots coupled with homeowner associations just looking for the chance to levy a fine or file a lien against your property, storage can be an issue.

An affordable alternative to purchasing a boat is renting one. The process is not too different from renting a car, and rental arrangements can be made at each of the marinas on Lake Mead and Lake Mohave. Depending on your choice of boat, the cost of a rental can be about the same as taking a family of four to a movie. Renting is also a good way to learn whether boating is as enjoyable for you as it is for someone else.

The largest marina concessionaire within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area is Forever Resorts, which operates the facilities at Echo Bay, Temple Bar and Callville Bay on Lake Mead and at Willow Beach and Cottonwood Cove on Lake Mohave. Seven Crown Resorts operates the Lake Mohave Resort at Katherine Landing, and the Gripentog family operates the Las Vegas Boat Harbor/Lake Mead Marina complex on Lake Mead just down the hill from Boulder City.

The selection of rental boats is pretty standard across the marinas, and the rental fees are similar, though you will find some variation depending on the location and vendor. Most rentals require a two-hour minimum.

V-hull fishing boats are available in 16- and 17-foot configurations with an hourly rental rate of $25 to $50. This is a great choice if you plan on fishing close to the marina only, but if you want to cover some water this isn't going to do it. With the small outboard motors you will spend more time traveling than fishing.

The 26-foot deck cruiser offers a larger fishing platform with a flat deck to work from, but it also comes with a 220-horsepower motor and seats up to 10 people. This boat can be used for pleasure cruising and other water sports as well as fishing. Divided equally among four anglers, the $325 daily rental fee would be only about $80 per person.

For more information, contact the individual marinas. Keep in mind that anyone born on Jan. 1, 1983, or later must complete a boating education course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators before operating a vessel with a motor larger than 15 horsepower on Nevada's interstate waters.

Freelance writer Doug Nielsen is a conservation educator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife. His "In the Outdoors" column, published Thursday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NDOW. Any opinions he states in his column are his own. He can be reached at intheoutdoorslv@gmail.com.