Arizona Lake Fishing

Big Lake is one of the most exciting trout fishing lakes in Arizona. The trout caught at Big Lake are the closest to wild as it gets in Arizona. The lake is stocked in the fall with a couple thousand fingerling trout. Big Lake also has the most divers trout population in the sate.

The fishing this summer is fair to good with anglers reporting catches around 12-15 inches.

Shore anglers have been catching rainbows and brookies on worms, yellow Power Bait, and salmon eggs.

Boat anglers are trolling cowbells with a worm.

Spin anglers are using spinners like Rooster Tails and Mepps, z-rays and spoons.

Fly anglers are using peacock ladies, wooly worms, semi-seal leeches, and prince nymphs.

For best results: Get out early and go to the coves. There you’ll find this time of year that the damselflies (dragon fly) are hatching in the coves. Use a damselfly pattern lure or fly. For example, if you see blue dragon flies flying around, use a blue lure. Same works for Power Bait and the shore angler.

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Big Lake has been a great fishing hole all summer. The fish are biting and anglers are going home happy.

Trolling with a cowbell with a worm is working for most anglers. You can expect to catch some nice sized trout.

Weather can be off and on so go prepaired for good and bad weather.

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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.

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Access: Take State Highway 261 from Eager. State Highway 273 will be closed throughout the year for road construction.

Boat ramps are low but still accessible. Big Lake is only open to electric trolling motors and 10 hp gas motors.

Fishing is good with 10 – 12 inch trout to 3.5 pound rainbow trout.

Rainbow, cutthroat and brook are all available for catch. Try worms, meal worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs and lures; spinners, Super Dupers and Rapalas. For flies try, wooly worms, peacock ladies, and zug bugs.

For best results try any color Power bait at 2 feet off the bottom about 100 feet from shore using a boat.

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