Arizona’s Most Popular Lakes to Fish
The Arizona Game and Fish Department provides recreational angling opportunities for the public while also carefully conserving and protecting native aquatic species that occupy natural stream and river habitats around the state. AZGFD’s program can stock sportfish in 186 individual sites in selected rivers, streams, lakes, reservoirs, ponds and stock tanks in the state. Eighteen species of game fish will be stocked at different sites, in different combinations, to provide recreational opportunities for anglers.
central Arizona
Bartlett Lake
This 2,815-acre reservoir on the Tonto National Forest provides consistent fishing opportunities for largemouth bass.
See Boat & Fish Map for extended details.
Canyon Lake
Towering rock walls and lunker largemouth bass create a unique fishing experience at this 950-acre reservoir on the Tonto National Forest.
See Boat & Fish Map for extended details.
Lake Pleasant
Located in Phoenix’s Northwest Valley, anglers fish for largemouth bass and flathead catfish. Fishing for striped bass is also popular.
See Boat & Fish Map for extended details.
Roosevelt Lake
This 20,300-acre reservoir on the Tonto National Forest generally has excellent fishing opportunities for largemouth bass and crappie.
See Boat & Fish Map for extended details.
Saguaro Lake
This lake on the Tonto National Forest can be a bass angler’s paradise and features 2,200 fish habitat structures to enhance fishing.
See Boat & Fish Map for extended details.
Salt River
Flowing out of Saguaro Lake, the lower Salt River provides angling opportunities for smallmouth and largemouth bass as well as catfish.
See Boat & Fish Map for extended details.
Colorado river northwest
Mohave Lake
Striped bass are the most sought-after sportfish species in Lake Mohave, which is located in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
See Boat & Fish Map for extended details.
Colorado river southwest
Alamo Lake
Located on the Bill Williams River, this 3,683-acre lake’s sportfish include largemouth bass, channel catfish and black crappie.
See Boat & Fish Map for extended details.
Colorado River
Spanning the length of the state, fishing on the Colorado River is full of opportunities to catch trout, bass, sunfish and crappie.
See Boat & Fish Map for extended details.
Lake Havasu
One of the best fishing lakes in Arizona, angling at Lake Havasu is popular year-round. Bass over 5 lbs. and 20+ lb. carp aren’t uncommon.
See Boat & Fish Map for extended details.
mogollon rim
Willow Springs
One of the largest and most popular lakes on the Mogollon Rim, the lake’s sportfish species include rainbow and tiger trout.
See Boat & Fish Map for extended details.
Woods Canyon
Scenic and popular with families, this 55-acre lake provides fishing opportunities for brown, rainbow and tiger trout.
See Boat & Fish Map for extended details.
southeast Arizona
Patagonia Lake
Located in Patagonia Lake State Park, the lake is managed as a high-quality largemouth bass and flathead catfish water.
See Boat & Fish Map for extended details.
white mountains
Big Lake
Considered one of the White Mountains’ best fishing lakes, sportfish species include brook, cutthroat and rainbow trout.
See Boat & Fish Map for extended details.
The statewide stocking schedule includes all waters receiving catchable-sized trout from Arizona Game and Fish hatcheries. Fish stockings can take place any day throughout the stocking week.
Fish stocked at some of the lakes statewide
Stocked in the spring and fall
Stocked once in the spring
Stocked in the winter
Want to Go Fishing around the State?
Find ways to experience fishing all over the state, including community waters.
buy your fishing license
If you need a fishing license, a combo hunt & fish license, or a short-term license, read about them here.
find a community lake to fish
There are 50+ community lakes in Arizona. Make a memory fishing with the family!