The Best Fishing Lakes In Arizona

Guide to the top places to fish for bass, catfish, crappie and more in AZ.

The purpose of this page is to share basic information about the best fishing lakes in the state, and the species found in each lake. Alamo Lake, Apache Lake, Big Lake, Canyon Lake, Chevelon Canyon Lake, Lake Pleasant, Roosevelt Lake, Saguaro Lake and Woods Canyon Lake are some of the most popular places for fishing in Arizona. These fisheries offer anglers the chance to pursue a variety of fish species. Many of these lakes have marinas to serve the boating and fishing public. The Boat Rental Page lists options for fishing boat rentals at some of these lakes.

Bass Lakes
Catfish Lakes
Crappie Lakes
Sunfish & Perch Lakes
Walleye Lakes
Trout Lakes
Striped Bass Lakes

Arizona boasts a diverse array of fishing lakes, offering both warm water and cold water fishing opportunities to anglers. Warm water lakes in the state are known for their thriving populations of bass, catfish, sunfish, and other popular game fish. Lakes such as Lake Pleasant, Roosevelt Lake, and Apache Lake are renowned for their largemouth and smallmouth bass fisheries. These lakes provide ample cover, including submerged vegetation and rocky structures, creating prime habitat for bass to thrive. Anglers can also target catfish, including channel catfish and flathead catfish, in these warm water lakes, using a variety of bait and techniques.

In contrast, Arizona is also home to several cold water lakes, which provide excellent fishing for trout and other cold water species. Lakes such as Woods Canyon Lake, Willow Springs Lake, and Big Lake are popular destinations for trout fishing enthusiasts. These lakes are regularly stocked with rainbow trout, brown trout, and brook trout, offering anglers ample opportunities to reel in these prized fish. Fly fishing, spin casting, and bait fishing are all effective techniques for targeting trout in Arizona's cold water lakes.

Additionally, Arizona's fishing lakes are often home to various sunfish species, such as bluegill, redear sunfish, and crappie. These panfish provide excellent fishing opportunities for anglers of all ages and skill levels. Lakes like Lake Havasu, Alamo Lake, and Patagonia Lake are known for their abundant sunfish populations, where anglers can enjoy catching these panfish using small jigs, worms, or flies.

Whether you prefer warm water fishing for bass and catfish or cold water fishing for trout, Arizona's fishing lakes offer a wide range of species and experiences. The state's diverse fisheries and scenic landscapes provide ample opportunities for anglers to indulge in their favorite fishing pursuits and create lasting memories on the water.

Bass Lakes

Alamo Lake, Apache Lake, Bartlett Lake, Goldwater Lake, Lake Havasu, Lake Mead, Patagonia Lake, Roosevelt Lake, Saguaro Lake and Show Low Lake are considered the best options for largemouth and smallmouth bass. Review the top five bass lakes in the state. More...

Catfish Lakes

Alamo Lake, Bartlett Lake, Lake Mead, Lake Pleasant, Martinez Lake and Roosevelt Lake are favorite options for channel and flathead catfish. More...

Crappie Lakes

Alamo Lake, Canyon Lake, Lake Pleasant, Roosevelt lake, Saguaro Lake and San Carlos Lake are the most popular for black and white crappie. More...

Sunfish & Panfish Lakes

Alamo Lake, Bartlett Lake, Lake Pleasant, Roosevelt Lake, Saguaro Lake and Tempe Town Lake are popular spots to fish for bluegill, perch, white bass and other sunfish. More...

Walleye Lakes

Fool Hollow Lake, Show Low Lake and occasionally Apache Lake are considered the top locations for walleye fishing. More...

Trout Lakes

Big Lake, Blue Ridge Reservoir, Chevelon Canyon Lake, Lees Ferry, Reservation Lake, Show Low Lake, Willow Springs Lake and Woods Canyon Lake are the favorite options for rainbow, brook and brown trout. More...

Striped Bass Lakes

Lake Havasu, Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, Lake Pleasant and Lake Powell are the best options for striped bass and hybrid striped bass. More...

Locate the ideal boat launch ramps on popular fishing lakes in Arizona.

Visit the Arizona fishing page for links to information covering a wide variety of fish species and destinations in the state. Visit the Arizona map to identify your best route to these top fishing locations. Look to our sister site for additional information about boating in AZ at many of the most popular destinations in the state.