Arizona Lake Fishing

Carp are the number one sport fish in Europe and are quickly catching on here in the states as well, especially here in Arizona. If you have fished for carp, you’ll know why they have become so popular - they fight like crazy! They also get huge and you can fish them all day.

1. Roosevelt Lake - Is one of the best lakes for fishing carp in Arizona. In fact they hold their annual Camp Carp at the end of May which has been running now for 18 years.
2. Apache Lake - This is a good lake for fishing carp. Dough bait and corn on treble hooks work best here. Look for carp in the murky coves around the marina.
3. Alamo Lake - You can expect to fin carp around 4-6 pounds in this Arizona lake. The traditional worm-on-a-hook works best here.
4. Silverbell Lake - You’ll find the big ones at Silverbell lake with some in the range of over 20 pounds. Chicken liver and a slip sinker work well here.

Arizona has a lot to offer in terms of freshwater fishing lakes. Here’s a run down a few of the most popular lakes in AZ and the most popular fish to be caught there.

Top Picks for Fall Fishing in Arizona

1. Alamo Lake - largemouth bass and channel catfish
2. Lake Havasu - striped bass and smallmouth bass
3. Martinez Lake - largemouth bass
4. Imperial Division - largemouth bass
5. Walter’s Camp - largemouth bass
6. Colorado river - largemouth bass - Palo Verde Diversion Dam

Is it winter yet? Whether it is or not the mild weather is always great fishing for largemouth bass and catfish. Alamo Lake is a great bass, crappie and catfish lake.

AZ game and fish did their fall fish survey and have found near record populations of largemouth bass in Alamo Lake. The majority of the bass are slot size or larger.

There is a new species in Alamo Lake that is becoming more popular to fish, redear sunfish. These fish can get up to 2 pounds and 1 pounders are in Alamo Lake now.

Another species anglers are eager to learn about are the channel catfish that inhabit Alamo Lake. if you’re interested in catching a channel cat try the upper end of the lake where some of them are hitting the 7-8 pound weight.

Catfish are a great way to introduce young anglers to the sport as the cats in Alamo Lake are ready biters. Try hot dogs and stink baits for these fish.

Alamo Lake fishing is good this summer. The evening bite is picking up and the morning bite is going to about 10am. Plastics are working the best and being at about 20 feet of water and work your way into the shore.

Topwater lures seem to be working both in the mornings and evenings for largemouth bass. Try the jitter bug topwater.

For best results: Plastics, particularly, plastic lizards are what the largemouth bass want to bite. They seem to be most active in the evenings but the bite does end right at dark. Get out around 5pm.

The new moon starts tonight, making this an excellent time for night fishing.

In the valley, summers can get into the 100s before 10am making fishing quite uncomfortable during the day. A fun alternative is night fishing. Not only will you catch fish but also the remarkable Arizona nighttime sky.

Top picks:

At 9,000 feet, Big Lake in the White Mountains is a great opportunity for night fishing and star gazing. At that elevation the sky seems to be right in front of you and larger than life. The cool mountain air sure beats the heat of the valley.

Lake Powell is a beautiful red sandstone canyon. Because of Powell’s limited shore fishing opportunities, fishing at Lake Powell is best done with a boat.

Alamo Lake is closer to home for the valley people and sits in a bowl preventing any light pollution from the sprawling city lights. The bite is pretty good around here especially by the dam.

If you intend to stay in the valley, Tempe Town Lake is a decent opportunity for night fishing. Stroll over near the Mill Avenue Bridge and witness planes take off from Sky Harbor.

Don’t forget your submersible lights for catching striped bass, largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and trout.

West of Wickenburg, Alamo Lake is like a giant bowl. It’s easy to navigate at night and the only source of night sky light pollution is from camp lanterns along the hillside. Alamo Lake is perfect for the night angler and also the family star gazer.

Top water bass are busy at last light and first light.

This is also a great lake for bottom fishing for catfish and carp.

But night fishing for Crappie, this is the time to do it. June 3rd begins the dark side of the moon and perfect for some nocturnal fishing.

Largemouth bass, crappie, and channel catfish are all looking good for fall fishing at Alamo Lake.

Largemouth bass are present in all sizes and fishing is expected to be excelent. Try using plastics in deeper water.

Crappie fishing is expected to be good to fair throughtout the fall and winer. Baits of all types should work right now.

Channel catfish fishing should continue to look good. Try any prepared catfish baits as well as chicken livers.

Both boat ramps are open for use. However, the store as the lake has closed for the winter. So you will need to vring everything with you.