Arizona’s Deserts Hide Some Surprisingly Great Fishing

Quick Take

• One of these lakes quietly harbors Arizona's newest trout species, though most anglers fishing it have no idea. Discover Patagonia's trout →
• The region's biggest striped bass congregate in one spot year-round, but landing them depends on a technique most anglers overlook. Find the striped bass technique →
• A lake near Phoenix lets you catch trout in the desert almost year-round, but only if you know when and where to show up. Explore desert trout fishing →
• One of these spots has earned the title of hidden treasure, and its catch record makes that title hard to argue with. See Bartlett's catch record →

Arizona may be a landlocked state, but there are many great fishing spots among the deserts for dedicated anglers. As long as you know where to look and what bait to use, you can always have a successful day of fishing. Along with largemouth, smallmouth, and striped bass, you’ll also find panfish, catfish, and sunfish, among others. So, where can you find all of these fish species? Read on to discover some of the best fishing spots in Arizona. 

1. Martinez Lake

First, we have Martinez Lake on our list of the best fishing spots in Arizona. This lovely fishing spot sits right along the Colorado River. About 60 miles north of Yuma, Arizona, you can easily access the lake using the Imperial Dam road. There are hundreds of acres of prime fishing, with a wide variety of fish available. You’ll want to use a heavy line and get ready for a fight. If you hook one of the larger fish in the fast-moving waters, you’ll need a lot of strength to reel it in.

Here is a short list of the primary fish species in Martinez Lake:

• Redear sunfish
• Green sunfish
• Tilapia
• Flathead catfish
• Striped bass
• Smallmouth bass
• Largemouth bass

If you’re fishing for bass, make your way up the river and look for areas with dense vegetation.

2. Lake Mohave 

One of the most remote fishing spots is Lake Mohave. This 64-mile long reservoir has around 30,000 surface acres in the desert along the Arizona-Nevada border. Lake Mead is just north of this fishing spot. From the Arizona side, primary access is at Willow Beach or Katherine’s landing.

Here is a list of some of the primary fish species in Lake Mohave:

• Channel catfish
• Rainbow trout
• Striped bass
• Bluegill
• Largemouth bass
• Black crappie

You might even be able to catch Arizona’s newest species of trout: salmo apache. For the best results, use spoons, worms, or any bait that imitates crawfish.

3. Lake Powell

Located in the high desert along the northern Arizona-Utah border, you’ll find Lake Powell. This 160,000-acre reservoir is an angler’s paradise. There are four marinas on Lake Powell offering a wide variety of services, from boat rentals to launching to refueling. You can also access Rainbow Bridge National Monument by boat from Lake Powell.

Here is a list of the primary fish species inhabiting Lake Powell:

• Walleye
• Northern pike
• Bluegill
• Smallmouth bass
• Largemouth bass
• Channel catfish
• Rainbow trout

Get ready to reel in your biggest catch yet. The bluegills at Lake Powell grow to notable sizes. 

4. Bartlett Lake

Take a scenic drive about 17 to 22 miles northeast of Carefree, Arizona. There you’ll find Bartlett Lake. The 2,815-acre lake sits on the Verde River in central Arizona. Amenities include boat rentals, slips, paved boat launching, and even sheriff’s stations. There are also camping areas that are accessible by road. For more privacy, reserve a camping area only accessible by boat.

Here is a list of a few of the fish species living in Bartlett Lake:

• Largemouth bass
• Smallmouth bass
• Channel catfish
• Flathead catfish
• Bluegill
• Black crappie

When the water temperatures rise above 60°, you can coax the bass into taking topwater lures. Spoons, jigs, and worms are great bait during the summer.

5. Patagonia Lake

Patagonia Lake is the perfect spot whether you want to fish from the shore or on a boat. The 265-acre lake is located approximately 7 miles southwest of the town of Patagonia in southeastern Arizona. The state park offers a number of amenities, including a campground, picnic area, a creek trail, boat ramps, a marina, and a beach. Spring and summer are the best times to fish here for largemouth bass.

Here is a list of some of the fish species you can find in Patagonia Lake:

• Rainbow trout
• Largemouth bass
• Catfish
• Crappie
• Trout

When fishing for trout, popular lures include worms, corn, and salmon eggs.

6. Lake Havasu

Get ready to enjoy breathtaking views at Lake Havasu State Park. It’s the ideal place to enjoy nature trails, boat ramps, and gorgeous beaches. The lake has three boat ramps, 13 beachside cabins, and 54 campsites, along with prime fishing opportunities. You’ll also be able to enjoy the diverse wildlife that is found throughout the park. A wide variety of birds and reptiles are common sightings.

Here is a list of a few fish species living in Lake Havasu:

• Havasu catfish 
• Striped bass
• Smallmouth bass
• Largemouth bass

Lake Havasu produces some of the biggest striped bass in the area year-round. For the best success, use a fish finder to locate active schools. Striped bass are known for swimming in large schools as they search for food.

7. Salt River

The Salt River is a 200-mile-long river flowing from the White Mountains through the Tonto National Forest and emptying into the Gila River southwest of Phoenix. The Lower Salt River below Saguaro Lake offers almost year-round opportunities for anglers who are hoping to catch rainbow trout. The river is regularly stocked by the Arizona Game and Fish Department from fall through spring.

Here is a list of some common fish species living in the Salt River:

• Rainbow trout
• Largemouth bass
• Smallmouth bass
• Channel catfish
• Common carp
• Sucker fish

The Blue Point Bridge is often mentioned as a place to target both rainbow trout and bass. Granite Reef Recreational Point is also noted as a popular starting point near the city of Mesa.