What fish bite in spring in the West?

Trout, Catfish and Walleye. Good range. Near the surface and along shorelines.

Which lake is best for spring fishing in the West?

Picacho Reservoir in Arizona warms early; Ruedi Reservoir is a good second choice.

Spring fishing in the West: what bites and where

Spring is when lakes wake up: the shallow, dark-bottomed bays warm first and the fish follow the warmth. Here is how the fish of the West behave in spring, and 10 lakes that suit the season.

What the fish do in spring

Trout: Good range. Near the surface and along shorelines.
Catfish: Waking up. Channels and creek mouths, especially after rain.
Walleye: Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
Largemouth bass: Warming up. They move toward shallow flats on sunny afternoons.
Crappie: Schooled on deeper brush piles. Fish small jigs slowly.

1. Picacho Reservoir, Arizona

At about 900 acres, Picacho Reservoir is small enough to learn in a few trips. It lies near Eloy. Expect largemouth bass, crappie and catfish. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

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

2. Ruedi Reservoir, Colorado

Ruedi Reservoir spreads over some 1,000 acres. The lake is about 12 miles south of Aspen. The fish here are trout, lake trout and kokanee salmon. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. The water is known for being clear: lighter line and natural colours help.

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

3. Cochiti Lake, New Mexico

Cochiti Lake spreads over about 1,060 acres. You will find it within an easy drive of Santa Fe (about 20 miles). It holds smallmouth bass and northern pike. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

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

4. Panguitch Lake, Utah

Panguitch Lake covers 1,250 acres. You will find it about 12 miles northeast of Panguitch. Trout are the draw. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove: good places to start. Panguitch Lake started as a natural lake that was enlarged by a dam and is managed as a rainbow trout fishery.

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

5. Ennis Lake, Montana

At 1,920 acres of water, Ennis Lake is small enough to learn in a few trips. You will find it near Virginia City. It holds trout. At about 20 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a steep ledge worth a first look. Ennis Lake is a shallow Madison River impoundment created in 1905 by the Montana Power Company and is popular with trout anglers.

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

6. Heart Lake, Wyoming

Heart Lake spreads over about 2,090 acres. It lies about 40 miles northwest of West Yellowstone. The fish here are trout and lake trout. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look. Heart Lake, at the base of Mount Sheridan in Yellowstone's backcountry, holds Yellowstone cutthroat trout and lake trout.

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

7. Pineview Reservoir, Utah

Pineview Reservoir spreads over about 2,390 acres. The lake is near Wolf Creek. The fish here are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie and bluegill. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Pineview Reservoir is one of only a few lakes in Utah stocked with tiger muskie.

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

8. Spinney Mountain Reservoir, Colorado

Spinney Mountain Reservoir spreads over 2,440 acres. The lake is near Fairplay. The fish here are trout and northern pike. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

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

9. Eagle Nest Lake, New Mexico

Eagle Nest Lake is a reservoir of some 2,500 acres. The lake is about 67 miles southwest of Santa Fe. It is the Cimarron behind Eagle Nest Dam. It holds trout, kokanee salmon, yellow perch and northern pike. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Eagle Nest Lake was formed in 1918 when the Cimarron River was impounded by Eagle Nest Dam.

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

10. Apache Lake, Arizona

Apache Lake spreads over some 2,570 acres. It lies within an easy drive of San Tan Valley (about 29 miles). 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 today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Reading the water

Before a spring trip, look at three numbers on the lake page: the water temperature, the wind and the bite windows. Together they say where the fish are and when they feed.