When I first moved to Arizona I was surprised at the number of boats I saw being towed around Phoenix. I had sold my bass boat before moving from Florida thinking that I would not need it in the Desert. Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! "There are lakes in that there Desert." The number of lakes as well as the quality of fishing and wide verity of fish species present was incredible. It is possible to catch Walleye, Trout, Small Mouth and Large Mouth Bass in the same day. You can even fish for the exotic Artic Grayling up on the Mogollon Rim or Arizona’s native Apache Trout in the White Mountains. Through in White Bass, Striped Bass and Northern Pike and you got yourself a regular smorgasbord for the fresh water angler. Well now that you got a basic idea about what’s in our Arizona waters let’s talk about where to go. Pleasant, Bartlett, Saguaro, Canyon, Apache and Roosevelt Lakes come to mind first because of their proximity to Phoenix, but there are a whole slew of fishing holes scattered across the state. Lets not forget the Colorado River, which feeds the big lakes like Mead, Powell and Mohave. All these bodies of water provide excellent fishing opportunities, but are best fished from a boat. Those of you who are not fortunate enough to own a boat do not despair. Arizona has great bank fishing on small lakes, streams and rivers, not only in the White Mountains and along the Mogollon Rim but right here in Phoenix. Yep! There are Municipal lakes and the Salt River has a darn good trout fishery. If you decide to fish the Salt River you will find the best fishing close to the Stewart Mountain Dam. Due to the bottom release of water from Saguaro Lake this spot holds trout year round. Trout survive best in water temperatures below 68 degrees. So if you are new to Arizona or just new to fishing go out there and give it a try, especially if you have children. There’s something about taking a child fishing that both of you will remember for the rest of your lives. For more information on fishing Arizona contact the Arizona Game and Fish at 602-942-3000 or visit fishing Website at http://www.gf.state.az.us/frames/fishwild/idx_fish.htm

Arctic Grayling: Lee Valley Reservoir.

Bluegill (sunfish): Apache Lake, Roper Lake, Saguaro Lake, Lake Pleasant, Arivaca Lake, and Lake Powell.

Carp: Lake Havasu, Lake Mohave, Lake Mead, Lake Powell, Roosevelt Lake, San Carlos Lake, Bartlett Lake, Lake Pleasant, Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake, and Apache Lake.

Crappie: Roosevelt Lake, Bartlett Lake, Lake Pleasant, and San Carlos Lake.

Flathead Catfish: Colorado River at Yuma, Roosevelt Lake, Bartlett Lake, the Verde River at Camp Verde and below Horseshoe Lake, San Carlos Lake, and the Gila River at Safford.

Largemouth Bass: Alamo Lake, Bartlett Lake, Roosevelt Lake, Apache Lake, Canyon Lake, Saguaro Lake, San Carlos Lake, Lake Havasu, Lake Mead, Lake Powell, and Mittry Lake.

Northern Pike: Stoneman Lake and Long Lake.

Smallmouth Bass: Lake Powell, Roosevelt Lake, Apache Lake, and Black River.

Striped Bass: Lake Havasu, Lake Mohave, Lake Mead, and Lake Powell.

 

 

Trout Streams: Lee's Ferry and the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, Oak Creek near Sedona, West Clear Creek near Camp Verde, Canyon and Tonto Creeks near Payson, Little Colorado River near Greer, West and East Fork of the Black River, Salt River in Phoenix, and the Verde River at Camp Verde.

Trout Lakes: Lake Mohave, Long Lake, Lynx Lake, J.D. Lake, Bear Canyon, Woods Canyon, Willow Springs, Black Canyon, Show Low Lake, Big Lake, Apache Lake, Blue Ridge Reservoir, Ashurst Lake, Nelson Lake, Knoll Lake, Chevelon Canyon Lake, and Crescent Lake, River Reservoir, Becker Lake, White Horse Lake, Parker Canyon Lake.

Walleye: Canyon Lake, Apache Lake, Show Low Lake, Lake Mary, and Saguaro Lake.

White Bass: Lake Pleasant.

Yellow Bass: Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake, and Apache Lake.