The Best Lakes in Arizona
Whether you are an experienced or first time boater, there are many different lakes in Arizona to choose from. Some of the most popular include the Big Lake, Saguaro Lake, Bartlett Lake, Lake Havasu and Woods Canyon Lake.
Saguaro Lake
Located in the Tonto National Forest, Saguaro Lake is a beautiful and versatile reservoir that’s perfect for water sports and fishing. It’s about 40 miles east of downtown Phoenix.
The best time to visit Saguaro Lake is during the summer. The lake gets busy during the weekends, but there are plenty of opportunities to catch a fish. The lake is home to a variety of fish, including crappie, bluegill, and smallmouth bass. The lake is popular for fishing, but it can also be a good place to sail. Saguaro Lake is also surrounded by scenic canyon walls and rocky crags.
If you want to fish Saguaro Lake, you need to purchase a Tonto National Forest Pass. The pass can be purchased online or at a store in town. It costs $8 per day or $80 for a year. The pass allows you to fish and enjoy other activities in the national park.
Saguaro Lake is considered to be one of the best lakes in Arizona. It’s a good choice for water skiing, wakeboarding, and kayaking. You can also rent pontoon boats and kayaks at the marina. The marina also offers a restaurant.
Saguaro Lake is also a good place to camp. It doesn’t have any designated camping areas, but you can camp on the lake by boat. There are a few options, including the Boat House RV Park, the Saguaro Del Norte Recreation Site, and the Butcher Jones Recreation Site.
Bartlett Lake
Located in the Tonto National Forest, Bartlett Lake is the second largest lake in the Valley of the Sun. Known for great fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing, it is a popular destination for Arizona residents and visitors.
Located just north of Phoenix, Bartlett Lake is one of the largest lakes in the area. It is also known for its unique location, surrounded by the Sonoran Desert. The Verde River supplies water to the lake, which is also used by desert wildlife.
The lake is a popular fishing destination, especially for flathead catfish. The lake is also popular for boating and shoreline camping. It is stocked with largemouth bass, channel catfish, and bluegill.
Another great lake in Arizona is Lynx Lake. The lake is also a popular fishing and camping location, and offers a chance to view bald eagles. Located in central Arizona, Lynx Lake offers a variety of activities for all ages, including fishing, boating, camping, and hiking.
Another great lake is Canyon Lake, which is located within the Superstition Wilderness. Located just 50 miles northwest of Phoenix, Canyon Lake has a variety of activities to do. It is also home to towering cliffs, which makes it a great destination for adventure seekers. The lake also has cozy coves on the east side, and a small resort.
The lake is also known for its wildflower viewing. It is home to some of the best flower viewing in the state. During the winter, the lake is not as crowded, and it is a great place to take a break from the Arizona heat.
Woods Canyon Lake
Located in northern Arizona on the Mogollon Rim, Woods Canyon Lake is one of the most accessible Rim Lakes. It’s located just 30 miles east of Payson. This lake offers lots of fishing opportunities for both trout and brown trout.
Although it is one of the smaller Rim Lakes, Woods Canyon Lake has plenty of deep water to catch fish. The average depth is about 25 feet, with a maximum of 40 feet. The lake is known for producing trophy size Brown Trout.
It is best to fish in deep water in the summer. You can throw nymphs or leech patterns. The lake also has a variety of lures for anglers to use. Anglers should also have a valid Arizona fishing license.
This lake is a popular destination for locals. It is also popular with college students on spring break. In the winter, it draws snowbirds from around the state. In the summer, it’s a popular day trip destination.
The shoreline of the lake offers picnic tables and restrooms. It’s also home to a variety of fish, including yellow bass, channel catfish, and tilapia. You can also catch largemouth bass and rainbow trout.
During the summer, the water temperature is usually in the mid-80s Fahrenheit. It’s not too hot for swimming, but it’s too warm for water skiing.
In the winter, the water is a little colder. You’ll find more ice and groceries at the store, along with fishing licenses and tackle. There’s also a marina for boaters and wakeboarders.
Big Lake
Located in the White Mountains of Arizona, Big Lake is an incredible body of water. It is also one of the best lakes for fishing in the state. It has two boat ramps, restrooms and showers. It’s also a great place to go for wildlife viewing.
Big Lake is also an excellent destination for paddle boarders. The lake is surrounded by stunning countryside scenery. It is a great spot for a day trip from Phoenix.
Big Lake also boasts one of the best hiking trails in the state. It is located in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. It also has a small store in the boat ramps area. There are also 200 camping sites on the lake.
Unlike many Arizona lakes, Big Lake does not have a beach. However, there are plenty of things to do on the lake. It’s also a great place for water sports like jet skiing and wakeboarding. There are also several outfitters that rent watercrafts.
Theodore Roosevelt Lake is another of Arizona’s lakes that is not to be missed. It’s known for its great fishing and camping. The lake has a surface area of over 8,600 hectares. It has six camping areas and is a great base for multi-day fishing trips. The marina at the lake has an RV park and a boat rental facility.
Theodore Roosevelt Lake is a popular destination for boaters and anglers. The lake also has several RV parks along the southern shoreline. The marina also offers a store and concierge service.
Lake Havasu
Located on the western edge of the Sonoran Desert, Lake Havasu is a quaint desert oasis that’s a popular spot for boating, fishing and camping. The water is surprisingly mild year-round, making it the perfect place to get out and play. It also boasts some of the best beaches in Arizona.
Lake Havasu is one of the best lakes in Arizona for its water sports and beachfront camping. You can rent jet skis or tow tubers to do some wake boarding. You can also rent a boat at the marina. If you’re looking to do some serious fishing, you’ll find a lot of striped bass, rainbow trout and Apache trout.
The lake is also home to the B-29 Superfortress bomber, which has been submerged in the lake. You can also take a hike to see the falls. You’ll need a permit.
The Blue Ridge Reservoir is a beautiful reservoir in Arizona. It has an elevation of over 2,000 meters. It is also known as one of the best lakes in Arizona for fishing.
The lake also features a nice museum. This lake was a popular fishing destination during the Civil War. You can also find some great hiking and boating opportunities.
You’ll find some interesting places to visit on the north shore of the lake. One of them is Bachelor Cove. There are also lots of birds in the area.
The best thing about this lake is the number of options available. There are camping sites, marinas, marinas, and even houseboats. It’s also home to an 18-hole disc golf course.
Apache Lake
Located near Apache Lake, Apache Lake is a reservoir along the Salt River. This lake is a great destination for boating, fishing, and other water activities. There are campsites and a resort at the marina. It’s also a good place for families to spend a weekend.
Apache Lake is one of the larger lakes in the Salt River. Its shoreline has a marina, gas station, and motel. You can also rent boats and jet skis.
Apache Lake is the second largest reservoir in Arizona. It’s also one of the four lakes that make up the Salt River. It’s a scenic lake with beautiful canyon walls on either side of the lake. The lake is also home to many trout.
There’s a campground at the northern end of the lake. The southern end has a hiking trail that you can take. This path is a quarter of a mile long and there is plenty of shade. It’s a good place for people who want to get away from the heat of the desert.
Apache Lake is located 65 miles northeast of Phoenix. The lake is surrounded by the Three Bar Wildlife Area. This lake is stocked with brown throat, rainbow, and cutthroat trout. It’s also home to yellow bass, largemouth bass, and crappie.
The marina offers a gas station, a store, and a coffee ship. The marina also has twelve trailer park units. You can also rent boats, jet skis, or wakeboards.
