The eastern end of the lake is fabled for its fishing. Fish to be caught include striped bass which can reach monster sizes up to 60 pounds, large mouth bass, catfish and bluegill. In the coves or on the cliffs that line the lake, you could see the majestic desert bighorn sheep. The rams are a sturdy animals carrying massive curved horns and boasting large harems of ewes with their young. The wild burros, descendants of those left behind by discouraged prospectors, drink at the water's edge, as do cougars, bobcats and coyotes.
Few nights pass without a serenade from a family of coyotes.
Badgers, cottontails, and the wily black-eared jackrabbit, and even deer can be found within the park boundaries. Gambel's quail thrive in our area, sometimes numbering the hundreds as they search for seeds under the brush. In season, bird watchers can find over 250 species of birds ranging from 5 kinds of humming birds to the osprey, golden eagle, and even the bald eagle. There are 60 species of waterfowl including ducks, herons, brown pelicans, geese, coots, terns, and the small swan like billed grebe. Songbirds, owls, hawks, ravens and the turkey vulture are constant visitors to the area.