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The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (point drop-off) is open for everyone; the other 6 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen

Lake Pleasant

Yavapai County, Arizona · 7,500 acres (11.7 sq mi)

70°F water, calm this morning.

Water70°F
Level—no gauge
Wind today10 mphS
Best bite3:45 pmto 5:00 pm

About Lake Pleasant

Lake Pleasant is a reservoir in Yavapai County, Arizona, covering 7,500 acres. New Waddell Dam holds it back on the Agua Fria. Lake Pleasant stores Central Arizona Project water and is one of the largest lakes in the Phoenix area.

From end to end it runs about 7.5 miles and its shoreline adds up to about 50 miles. At about 1,690 ft above sea level, it follows the seasons of the region. The deepest water is about 170 ft. The nearest town, New River, is about 5.3 miles east. Deer Valley, the nearest city, is about 13 miles southeast.

Size
7,500 acres (11.7 sq mi)
Deepest
About 170 ft
Shoreline
About 50 miles
End to end
About 7.5 miles
Elevation
About 1,690 ft
Type
Reservoir
Dam
New Waddell Dam, Agua Fria
County
Yavapai County

The lake from above

1 2 miles N
Spot 1 is open for everyone; grey dots are the PRO spots.

Best fishing times

Friday Good

  • 6:15 am – 8:30 amsunrise · wind 5 mph
  • 3:45 pm – 5:00 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 10 mph

Saturday Good

  • 6:30 am – 8:45 amsunrise · wind 5 mph
  • 3:45 pm – 6:00 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 5 mph

Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.

Fish in Lake Pleasant

The fish here: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, striped bass, bluegill and sunfish and crappie. At 70°F on the surface right now, here is how each one should behave.

  • Good
    Largemouth bass

    Active early and late. Head to shade, docks and grass in midday.

  • Good
    Smallmouth bass

    Prime range. Rocky points, humps and drop-offs.

  • Good
    Catfish

    Active. Evenings and nights are best.

  • Fair
    Striped bass

    Warming. Early-morning topwater, then they go deep.

  • Good
    Bluegill and sunfish

    Active around docks and weeds.

From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.

Fishing spots

  1. 1
    Point drop-off

    The bottom falls away fast off this point; fish rest deep and move up the slope to feed.

  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7

6 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.

Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.

Water temperature

70°F

At the surface, seen .

Water level

No daily level reading for this lake.

Weather and wind

Friday 73° / 65° 10 mph S Rain Showers Likely · 58% rain
Saturday 68° / 58° 5 mph WSW Chance Rain Showers · 52% rain
Sunday 71° / 55° 5 mph Sunny

Sunrise 6:59 am · sunset 5:26 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).

Towns and places to stay near Lake Pleasant

  • New Riverabout 5.3 mi east
  • Anthemabout 7.9 mi east
  • Black Canyon Cityabout 9.2 mi northeast
  • Sun City Westabout 13 mi south
  • Deer Valleynearest city, about 13 mi southeast

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Questions about Lake Pleasant

What fish are in Lake Pleasant?

Lake Pleasant holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, striped bass, bluegill and sunfish and crappie. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.

How deep is Lake Pleasant?

About 170 ft at the deepest point. The 3-D view shows where the deep water is.

How big is Lake Pleasant?

7,500 acres, with about 50 miles of shoreline.

What town is near Lake Pleasant?

New River is about 5.3 miles east; Anthem is about 7.9 miles east.

What is the water temperature at Lake Pleasant today?

The surface was about 70°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.

Lake Pleasant on your phone

The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.

Get it on Google Play

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