Arizona Lake Fishing

Carp are quickly becoming a popular sport fish in Phoenix. Fly fishing for carp in particular has become a hot topic in the valley. There are several popular fly fishing locations in Arizona to catch carp. Some are in the Phoenix metropolitan area and some you may need to take a little drive to get to but all are great carp fishing bodies of water.

A reader of Arizona Lake Fishing, Johnny, from Mesa, emailed in with a question:

“Where can I go to fly fish carp in the Phoenix area?”

Well, Johnny, thanks for writing in to Arizona Lake Fishing and if any of you have questions on fishing in Arizona’s freshwater lakes, ponds and other bodies of water gives us a shout at arizonalakefishing {at} gmail dot com we’ll be happy to answer.

So, Johnny, to get to your question, we put our guys out into the local fishing community and have come up with a few top fishing holes for fishing carp around the Phoenix area.

Carp in the Valley

• Salt River Canal – The lower stretch is the most popular fly fishing hole in the valley. But the canals, owned and maintained by the Salt River Project, SRP has introduced a few hybrid carp called White Amur or Grass Carp into their system to help with vegetation over growth. SRP maintains a strict catch-and-release policy for all fish caught in the their canals. Rumors abound of 50 pound carp swimming in these canals but the biggest carp caught has only been in the 20 to 30 pound range with the norm around 4 to 12 pounds. A “bread fly” seems to be working the best.
• Tempe Town Lake – Your best option is on the south side of the lake. Try a “bread fly” here as well.
• Canyon Lake – If a trip to the Superstition Wilderness isn’t too far for you, Canyon Lake is a great lake for fly fishing. Most fly fishing at Canyon Lake is during the winter when fly anglers are going for the nice sized winter trout. But in the spring and summer months it’s great for carp as well as small mouth bass.

Carp in Arizona

If taking a little trip to fly fish for carp is on your list, here are a few popular lakes for catching carp.

• Alamo Lake – The carp population is growing in numbers at Alamo Lake and are expected to be good fishing this season.
• Apache Lake – This is a good lake for carp. Look for them in the murky waters in the coves around the marina.
• Roosevelt Lake – An annual Carp Camp is held at Roosevelt Lake every May and is one of the best lakes in Arizona for fishing carp.
• Silverbell Lake – There are nice sized carp in this Arizona Lake some in the range of over 20 pounds.

Tempe Town Lake is the trout fishing hot spot this year. Regular stocking continues to improve the number of catches. Including a fresh new batch this week.

Rainbow trout: Power bait, worms and spinners are all working right now for the rainbows.

Carp: Carp are also in the lake. Go to the south side of the lake and try corn on a slip sinker. They are a decent size and put up a good fight.

Largemouth Bass: The bass are going for spinners like Rooster Tails. Try a green color.

Hot Spots for Rainbow Trout at Tempe Town Lake

• East of Rural Road on ASU side
• East side of the lake just east of Scottsdale Road
• East side of bridge

Fishing is relatively good at Alamo Lake. Anglers are reporting largemouth bass, channel catfish and carp are all being caught on – get this – WORMS! Who says you need to spend a small fortune on lures to catch fish these days?

The best fishing time is during the day, sun up to sun down between 7am and 5pm. Let the sun get up over the mountains and begin warming the air.

Channel cats are in high numbers this season, especially in the upper portion of the lake. Most tend to be on the small side around 2-3 pounds but there are some that can get up to 7 and 8 pounds.

Carp are also growing in numbers this season and are quickly becoming a favorite angling fish, requiring finesse and accuracy. There are several Arizona lakes for carp fishing and Alamo is one of the most popular.

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.