Arizona Lake Fishing

Fishing Dead Horse Ranch State Park

Dead Horse Ranch State Park boasts of 423 acres of outdoor opportunities for fishing, hiking, camping and several other outdoor actives. The Verde River runs through the park and forms large lagoons which are called Dead Horse Lake by some. There are 80 miles of fish able water in the park and the lagoons are stocked regularly by the AZ game & fish.

Dead Horse Ranch is a great place for both spin anglers and fly fishing. Spinners focus on using spinners, worms and power bait.
Fly fishing is best along the Verde River between the River Front Park and Dead Horse State Park.
Dead Horse Ranch Fish

• Rainbow trout
• sunfish
• Channel Catfish
• Largemouth bass

Dead Horse Ranch Rules

• No Amplified Music and PA systems
• No Swimming in lagoons
• No Firewood gathering
• No Generators
• No Rowboats and float tubes are only permitted in lower lagoons

Small boats are permitted along with float tubes but restrictions do apply.

Dead Horse Ranch Amenities

These amenities are at Fain Lake.

• Handicap access is available including cabin rental with accessible showers and restrooms near camp site.
• Bathrooms & Showers (with hot water)
• Picnic area (covered Ramadas)
• BBQ grills
• Playground
• Camp Sites
• Hiking Trails
• Visitor Center (open 8 am to 5 pm)

Getting to Dead Horse Ranch State Park

The easiest way to get to Dead Horse Ranch is to take the I-17 towards Cottonwood. Then Exit on Highway 260 for Cottonwood. Stay on Main Street (Hwy 260) and follow the signs to Dead Horse Ranch State Park.

Map To Dead Horse Ranch State Park, AZ

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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.

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Fishing at Topock Marsh has slowed since the water levels continue to go down through out the winter. With the lower water levels use caution when launching your boats.

Crappie fishing has picked up even with the lower water levels.

A recent study by game and fish biologists has revealed a strong and healthy population of largemouth bass, channel cats are also at a healthy population. Crappie were present but only in small numbers.

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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

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Lake Havasu is an excellent bass lake for Arizona anglers. With the cooler weather the bite has slowed but this just means you need to work your lures a little slower and deeper than normal. Use plastics, cranks, spinners and jigs. The fish are deep this time of year so topwaters and other floating baits you can put away until spring.

Sizes are ranging from 13 inches and up for largemouth bass. The skilled angler could hall in a 4 pounder. Smallmouth bass are also abundant in Lake Havasu, as well as striped bass. Stripers are in the size range of about 12-18 inches with an occasional 8 pounder waiting to be caught.

Bass aren’t the only species to be caught in Lake Havasu, channel cats are also a popular catch among Arizona anglers. Cats are ranging in the sizes or 3 – 10 pounds and are biting on anchovies, spam and mackerel.

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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.

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Scotts Reservoir is nearly full and the fishing is fair. The boat ramp is accessible.

Anglers are catching rainbow trout on worms, Power Bait and salmon eggs.

Some nice sized (10-12 inches) largemouth bass are being caught on spinners, Super-Dupers and z-rays.

Channel catfish (20-25 inches) are biting on hot dogs and stink baits.

Scotts Reservoir is open to electric trolling motors only.

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Catfish anglers, you’ll love Lyman Lake. Channel catfish are biting on worms and stink baits. Fishing for catfish this summer is your best bet at catching anything on Lyman Lake.

However, a few anglers are reporting a some hits on largemouth bass. Try crankbaits, spinners and spoons.

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Fishing along the river is ok. It’s slowed since the last stocking in March.

Best spots:
For trout go to the Riverfront Park in Cottonwood. Use night crawlers and dry flies.
For largemouth bass try the area of Camp Verde. Use small plastic jigs or in-line spinners.
Channel catfish are beginning to bite. Try the Verde Valley and use night crawlers or chicken liver in the early evening.

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Lake elevation is 1,658 feet, which is 96-percent full.

Fishing is a little inactive compared to April, at least for largemouth bass.

Channel catfish seem to be biting mildly but the need a lot of coaxing. Try dead minnows, silver rattle traps, and night crawler.

600,000 walleye sac fry were stocked end of April.

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