Biggest lakes in Arizona: the top 10 by size

The list

Sizes are the published surface area where one exists; the others are our own measure of the water's outline and read "about". Reservoirs shrink and grow with their level, so a dry year shows less water.

1. Roosevelt Lake

Roosevelt Lake spreads over 21,500 acres. The fish here are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie and catfish. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a steep ledge: good places to start.

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

2. San Carlos Lake

San Carlos Lake spreads over 19,500 acres of water. The lake is about 7.1 miles north of Peridot. It is the Gila behind Coolidge Dam. It holds largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. 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

3. Lake Havasu

Lake Havasu spreads over 19,300 acres of water. It holds striped bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and bluegill. The deepest water is around 90 ft. Its bed shows four steep ledges worth a first look.

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

4. Lake Pleasant

Lake Pleasant is a reservoir of 7,500 acres of water. The lake is about 13 miles southeast of Deer Valley. It is the Agua Fria behind New Waddell Dam. Expect largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish and striped bass. The deepest water is around 170 ft. 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. Bartlett Lake

Bartlett Lake covers 2,820 acres of water. It lies near Rio Verde. It is the Verde behind Bartlett Dam. Expect largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie and catfish. At about 174 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

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

6. Alamo Lake

Alamo Lake is a reservoir of about 2,760 acres. It lies about 28 miles northeast of Bagdad. Alamo Dam holds it on the Bill Williams. Expect largemouth bass, crappie and catfish. The deepest water is around 80 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and an upper arm to work. 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

7. Apache Lake

Apache Lake covers some 2,570 acres. The lake is within an easy drive of San Tan Valley (about 29 miles). Horse Mesa Dam holds it on the Salt. The fish here are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie and walleye.

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

8. Goose Lake

Goose Lake covers about 2,200 acres. It lies near Golden Shores. The usual Arizona mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

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

9. Hay Lake

Hay Lake covers about 1,480 acres. You will find it about 39 miles northwest of Flagstaff. 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

10. Saguaro Lake

At 1,260 acres of water, Saguaro Lake is small enough to learn in a few trips. The lake is about 10 miles south of Apache Junction. Stewart Mountain Dam holds it on the Salt. Trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and crappie are the draw. At about 90 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

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

Big water, big days

Large lakes make their own weather: a breeze that is nothing on a pond builds real waves over miles of open water. Check the wind on the lake page before you launch and keep to the lee shore when it picks up.