Best fishing lakes in Arizona: 12 lakes and what bites

The lakes at a glance

1. Roosevelt Lake

At some 21,500 acres, Roosevelt Lake is a big lake. The fish here are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie and catfish. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and a steep ledge to work.

Roosevelt Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Lake Havasu

At 19,300 acres of water, Lake Havasu is a big lake. The fish here are striped bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and bluegill. It goes down to about 90 ft. The lake bed gives you four steep ledges to work.

Lake Havasu today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. San Carlos Lake

San Carlos Lake is a reservoir of 19,500 acres. The lake is near Peridot. Coolidge Dam holds it on the Gila. Largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill are the draw. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. San Carlos Lake sits on the San Carlos Apache Reservation and is managed by the tribe's Recreation and Wildlife Department.

San Carlos Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Lake Pleasant

At 7,500 acres of water, Lake Pleasant is a good-sized lake. The lake is about 5.3 miles east of New River. It is the Agua Fria behind New Waddell Dam. The fish here are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish and striped bass. It goes down to about 170 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Lake Pleasant stores Central Arizona Project water and is one of the largest lakes in the Phoenix area.

Lake Pleasant today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Saguaro Lake

Saguaro Lake covers some 1,260 acres. It lies about 19 miles southwest of Mesa. It is the Salt behind Stewart Mountain Dam. Expect trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and crappie. It goes down to about 90 ft.

Saguaro Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Apache Lake

Apache Lake covers 2,570 acres of water. You will find it near Tonto Basin. Horse Mesa Dam holds it on the Salt. It holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie and walleye. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Apache Lake is one of a chain of reservoirs on the Salt River east of Phoenix.

Apache Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Bartlett Lake

Bartlett Lake covers 2,820 acres of water. The lake is about 6.9 miles south of Rio Verde. The fish here are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie and catfish. The deepest water is around 174 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Bartlett Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Alamo Lake

Alamo Lake covers about 2,760 acres. It lies near Bagdad. It is the Bill Williams behind Alamo Dam. The fish here are largemouth bass, crappie and catfish. It goes down to about 80 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start. Alamo Lake's surface area varies greatly with runoff, from a small conservation pool to thousands of acres after wet winters.

Alamo Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Picacho Reservoir

Picacho Reservoir spreads over about 900 acres. It lies within an easy drive of Casa Grande (about 16 miles). The fish here are largemouth bass, crappie and catfish. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

Picacho Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Goose Lake

Goose Lake spreads over about 2,200 acres. It lies near Golden Shores. The usual Arizona mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

Goose Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

11. Hay Lake

Hay Lake spreads over about 1,480 acres. The lake is within an easy drive of Flagstaff (about 39 miles). Like most lakes its size in Arizona, it should hold trout, yellow perch and smallmouth bass.

Hay Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

12. Many Farms Lake

Many Farms Lake spreads over about 850 acres. You will find it near Many Farms. Like most lakes its size in Arizona, it should hold trout, yellow perch and smallmouth bass. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove worth a first look.

Many Farms Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Pick by species

A lake appears under a fish when it holds it, by the record or by the type of lake.

• Bass: Roosevelt Lake, Lake Havasu, San Carlos Lake and Lake Pleasant
• Walleye: Saguaro Lake and Apache Lake
• Trout: San Carlos Lake, Saguaro Lake, Hay Lake and Many Farms Lake
• Crappie: Roosevelt Lake, San Carlos Lake, Lake Pleasant and Saguaro Lake
• Catfish: Roosevelt Lake, San Carlos Lake, Lake Pleasant and Saguaro Lake

The fishing year

• Spring: walleye are usually at their best. Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
• Summer: walleye are usually fair. Warm surface. They go deep in the day; try evenings.
• Fall: walleye are usually at their best. Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
• Winter: walleye are usually at their best. Good cool-water bite, best at dusk and after dark.

Before you go

A Arizona fishing licence covers every lake here; the state fish and wildlife agency publishes the limits and any special rules lake by lake. Each lake page on LakeScope shows today's water temperature, the wind, the best bite times and a 3-D view of the bed, so check it the morning you go.