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.

Ya, I get that you probably think of carp as dirty bottom feeders, that aren’t worthy of your fly rod. But put aside those thoughts for a moment and you will be in for a pleasant surprise.

Carp are one of the most exciting fish to catch especially on a fly rod. Often called “freshwater bonefish,” carp are most often found cruising the shallows or sipping at the surface. This allows anglers to sight fish them but are forced to make precise and delicate presentations if they plan on landing one. This fish will truly test your ability as a fly angler and your gear.

Arizona is home to several species of carp, including, common carp, grass carp, big mouth buffalo and several other varieties of goldfish and koi. Depending on the season, it’s best to get in a boat and head to the big water of Lake Pleasant or head out on foot around some of smaller ponds around Phoenix.

Lake Pleasant (about 30 miles north of Phoenix) is one the of the best lakes to fish in Arizona especially catching carp on the fly.

I understand that there are purists out there that make fly fishing into a semi-religion and fishing for any warm bodied fish be it carp, bass, or any fish other than trout is not worthy of your fly rod. They are knee deep in Lees Ferry every spring and summer. There are also those of use who love fly fishing but don’t have the access to the world renowned Lees Ferry and find ourselves expanding our horizons. And that leads us to fly fishing for carp in a bass boat at Lake Pleasant.

If you’re willing to try something new, you won’t regret it. Carp can be found in just about any body of water in Arizona from a golf course pond, and urban lake or the city canal.

It’s all about the presentation
Carp are as spooky as any bonefish cruising the flats and as selective as any small stream trout. It will take some practice and finesse to present your fly without them scurrying for cover. Even an unwanted false cast or light slaps on the water will results in a quick departure.

Selecting the right fly
There are flies out there designed just for carp. But if your lucky enough to get one to strike, tomorrow they most likely won’t go for the same one. So keep several flies around and see what they like. My most successful fly has been one that imitated a piece of the algae they like so much.

The thrill of sight casting
There are few words to describe the feeling of seeing the giant hanging in the water, carefully placing your fly in the exact location and watching as he takes it in and off you go - the best fight you will have! Hang on and enjoy the ride. He will turn and smack the water with his tail and it’s on! You’re in for a long and steady buzzing on your drag as he pulls the line out of your real and a good strong fight to get him into the boat. That’s if you’re lucky enough to land him. It takes the grace, power and patience it takes to land a fish like that without braking your line.

Apache Lake is around 90% full, the fishing is good and more anglers are getting out there.

Channel cats are hanging in the marina, Hackberry Cove and Goat Ledge. Try hot dogs, chicken liver and stink bait.

Yellow bass are where the substrate levels off. Use silver. Silver spinners, cranks, what have you.

Small mouth and largemouth bass are biting on plastic worms like Robo Worms. Put them on a drop shot around overhanging vegetation, boulders or ridges.

Carp are biting on yellow canned corn.

Catfish are an exciting catch and this year they are quite large in local desert lakes.

Catfish and carp are under-utilized resources which means that not many people fish for them, yet they are abundant.

The best part about fishing for carp and catfish, you don’t need all that expensive tackle. All you need are some hooks, slip sinkers, and maybe some hot dogs, corn, chicken liver or prepared stink baits.

The urban lakes are also stocked with catfish.

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.

Bass fishing at Tempe Town Lake is starting to pick up.

Use crank baits and plastic baits around the ledges and docks during early morning or right before dark.

You can also catch channel catfish with stink baits, hot dogs, and shrimp. They are ranging from 1 to 2 pounds.

Carp fishing is particularly good using corn and dough balls.

*Reminder for boats - no gas motors and you must have a boating permit that can be purchased at the Town Lake operations center.

doughball – A ball of bait made from bread or specially prepared dough used for bait-fishing. Commonly used for carp.

dorsal fin – A median fin located along the back of a fish. It is usually supported by rays, which sometimes gives the fin a fan- or sail-like appearance. There may be two or more dorsal fins.

buffalofish – A heavy bodied carp-like fish that can weigh up to 39 pounds that are found in some of the Salt River chain of lakes.

bottom feeder or bottom-fish – A bottom-feeding fish, such as a catfish or carp. Refers to a fish that feeds predominantly on the bottom, not just one that is sometimes caught on the bottom, such as a largemouth bass or trout.