Deepest lakes in Arizona: 5 lakes ranked by depth

Deepest first

1. Bartlett Lake

Bartlett Lake is a reservoir of 2,820 acres of water. The lake is about 6.9 miles south of Rio Verde. It is the Verde behind Bartlett Dam. The fish here are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie and catfish. At about 174 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer.

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

2. Lake Pleasant

At some 7,500 acres, Lake Pleasant is a good-sized lake. The lake is within an easy drive of Deer Valley (about 13 miles). New Waddell Dam holds it on the Agua Fria. It holds 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

3. 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. At about 90 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has four steep ledges: good places to start.

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

4. Saguaro Lake

At 1,260 acres of water, Saguaro Lake is small enough to learn in a few trips. The lake is near Apache Junction. It is the Salt behind Stewart Mountain Dam. Trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and crappie are the draw. The deepest water is around 90 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

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

5. Alamo Lake

Alamo Lake spreads over about 2,760 acres. You will find it within an easy drive of Lake Havasu City (about 45 miles). It is the Bill Williams behind Alamo Dam. Largemouth bass, crappie and catfish are the draw. The deepest water is around 80 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and an upper arm to work.

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

Fishing deep water

Deep lakes reward slow, vertical fishing: drop a jig or a spoon to the depth where fish show on the sonar and work it right there. In spring and fall the fish come shallow and any method works.