{"id":9862,"date":"2023-07-12T10:59:05","date_gmt":"2023-07-12T17:59:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.azgfd.com\/?page_id=9862"},"modified":"2025-06-12T13:27:43","modified_gmt":"2025-06-12T20:27:43","slug":"lake-fishing-in-arizona","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.azgfd.com\/fishing-2\/where-to-fish\/lake-fishing-in-arizona\/","title":{"rendered":"Lake Fishing in Arizona"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Arizona’s Most Popular Lakes to Fish<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is committed to offering recreational fishing experiences to the public while conserving and protecting native aquatic species throughout the state. Through AZGFD’s program, more than 100 lakes, rivers, streams, reservoirs and ponds are stocked with sportfish. These efforts include stocking sport fish species at various locations and ensuring diverse recreational opportunities for anglers statewide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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central Arizona<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Bartlett Lake<\/h4>\n\n \n

This 2,815-acre reservoir on the Tonto National Forest provides consistent fishing opportunities for largemouth bass.<\/p>\n\n \n

See Boat & Fish Map<\/a> for extended details.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n

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Canyon Lake<\/h4>\n\n \n

Towering rock walls and lunker largemouth bass create a unique fishing experience at this 950-acre reservoir on the Tonto National Forest.<\/p>\n\n \n

See Boat & Fish Map<\/a> for extended details.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n

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Lake Pleasant<\/h4>\n\n \n

Located in Phoenix\u2019s Northwest Valley, anglers fish for largemouth bass and flathead catfish. Fishing for striped bass is also popular.<\/p>\n\n \n

See Boat & Fish Map<\/a> for extended details.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n

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Roosevelt Lake<\/h4>\n\n \n

This 20,300-acre reservoir on the Tonto National Forest generally has excellent fishing opportunities for largemouth bass and crappie.<\/p>\n\n \n

See Boat & Fish Map<\/a> for extended details.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n

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Saguaro Lake<\/h4>\n\n \n

This lake on the Tonto National Forest can be a bass angler\u2019s paradise and features 2,200 fish habitat structures to enhance fishing.<\/p>\n\n \n

See Boat & Fish Map<\/a> for extended details.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n

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Salt River<\/h4>\n\n \n

Flowing out of Saguaro Lake, the lower Salt River provides angling opportunities for smallmouth and largemouth bass as well as catfish.<\/p>\n\n \n

See Boat & Fish Map<\/a> for extended details.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Colorado river northwest<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Mohave Lake<\/h4>\n\n \n

Striped bass are the most sought-after sportfish species in Lake Mohave, which is located in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.<\/p>\n\n \n

See Boat & Fish Map<\/a> for extended details.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Colorado river southwest<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Alamo Lake<\/h4>\n\n \n

Located on the Bill Williams River, this 3,683-acre lake\u2019s sportfish include largemouth bass, channel catfish and black crappie.<\/p>\n\n \n

See Boat & Fish Map<\/a> for extended details.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n

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Colorado River<\/h4>\n\n \n

Spanning the length of the state, fishing on the Colorado River is full of opportunities to catch trout, bass, sunfish and crappie.<\/p>\n\n \n

See Boat & Fish Map<\/a> for extended details.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n

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Lake Havasu<\/h4>\n\n \n

One of the best fishing lakes in Arizona, angling at Lake Havasu is popular year-round. Bass over 5 lbs. and 20+ lb. carp aren’t uncommon.<\/p>\n\n \n

See Boat & Fish Map<\/a> for extended details.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

mogollon rim<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Willow Springs<\/h4>\n\n \n

One of the largest and most popular lakes on the Mogollon Rim, the lake\u2019s sportfish species include rainbow and tiger trout.<\/p>\n\n \n

See Boat & Fish Map<\/a> for extended details.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n

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Woods Canyon<\/h4>\n\n \n

Scenic and popular with families, this 55-acre lake provides fishing opportunities for brown, rainbow and tiger trout.<\/p>\n\n \n

See Boat & Fish Map<\/a> for extended details.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

southeast Arizona<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Patagonia Lake<\/h4>\n\n \n

Located in Patagonia Lake State Park, the lake is managed as a high-quality largemouth bass and flathead catfish water.<\/p>\n\n \n

See Boat & Fish Map<\/a> for extended details.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

white mountains<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Big Lake<\/h4>\n\n \n

Considered one of the White Mountains\u2019 best fishing lakes, sportfish species include brook, cutthroat and rainbow trout.<\/p>\n\n \n

See Boat & Fish Map<\/a> for extended details.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The statewide stocking schedule includes all waters receiving catchable-sized trout from Arizona Game and Fish hatcheries. Fish stockings can take place any day throughout the stocking week.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Fish stocked at some of the lakes statewide<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Channel catfish 13-18 inches
Stocked in the spring and fall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Bluegill 5-7 inches
Stocked once in the spring<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Rainbow trout 10-13 inches
Stocked in the winter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Want to Go Fishing around the State?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Find ways to experience fishing all over the state, including community waters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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buy your fishing license<\/h3>\n \n
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If you need a fishing license, a combo hunt & fish license, or a short-term license, read about them here.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n buy now\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n \n \n \n \n <\/clipPath>\n \n \n <\/clipPath>\n <\/defs>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n <\/g>\n <\/g>\n \n \n \n \n <\/g>\n <\/g>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n <\/g>\n<\/svg> \n
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find a community lake to fish<\/h3>\n \n
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There are 50+ community lakes in Arizona. Make a memory fishing with the family!<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n lake locations\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Arizona’s Most Popular Lakes to Fish The Arizona Game and Fish Department is committed to offering recreational fishing experiences to the public while conserving and protecting native aquatic species throughout … Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":0,"parent":3085,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-9862","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nLake Fishing in Arizona - Arizona Game & Fish Department<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Enjoy angling at Arizona's popular fishing lakes. 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