The best bass lakes of Arizona

To celebrate the Bassmaster Elite Series event on Lake Havasu this week, we took a look at the best places to catch some bass in Arizona.

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Justin Lucas and the rest of the Elite Series anglers arrive at Lake Havasu this week, and to celebrate B.A.S.S. back in Arizona, here's a look at the best places to catch some bass in the copper state. We talked to <em>Bassmaster</em> Magazine's Editor James Hall and Arizona B.A.S.S. Nation President Angelo Messina about the best bass lakes in Arizona. Got some ideas of your own? Leave them in the comments section below.
Justin Lucas and the rest of the Elite Series anglers arrive at Lake Havasu this week, and to celebrate B.A.S.S. back in Arizona, here’s a look at the best places to catch some bass in the copper state. We talked to Bassmaster Magazine’s Editor James Hall and Arizona B.A.S.S. Nation President Angelo Messina about the best bass lakes in Arizona. Got some ideas of your own? Leave them in the comments section below.
Lake Havasu is a large reservoir on the Colorado River, and it is located on the California and Arizona border. The lake sits behind Parker Dam, and the lake's primary purpose is storing water for pumping the dam's two aqueducts.
Lake Havasu is a large reservoir on the Colorado River, and it is located on the California and Arizona border. The lake sits behind Parker Dam, and the lake’s primary purpose is storing water for pumping the dam’s two aqueducts.
Surface area: 19,300 acres <br>Average depth: 35 feet <br>Maximum length: 46 miles <br>Maximum width: 3 miles
Surface area: 19,300 acres
Average depth: 35 feet
Maximum length: 46 miles
Maximum width: 3 miles
100 Best Bass Lakes rankings: <br>• 2014 – 20th <br>• 2013 – 46th
100 Best Bass Lakes rankings:
• 2014 – 20th
• 2013 – 46th
Fish species: <br>• Largemouth Bass <br>• Smallmouth Bass <br>• Striped Bass <br>• Carp <br>• Catfish <br>• Crappie
Fish species:
• Largemouth Bass
• Smallmouth Bass
• Striped Bass
• Carp
• Catfish
• Crappie
Lake Havasu was named in 1939 after the Mojave word for blue.
Lake Havasu was named in 1939 after the Mojave word for blue.
Lake Powell is a reservoir located on the Colorado River, and it straddles the Utah and Arizona state line. It is the second largest man-made reservoir by maximum water capacity in the U.S. behind Lake Mead.
Lake Powell is a reservoir located on the Colorado River, and it straddles the Utah and Arizona state line. It is the second largest man-made reservoir by maximum water capacity in the U.S. behind Lake Mead.
Surface area: 161,390 acres <br>Average depth: 132 feet <br>Maximum length: 186 miles <br>Maximum width: 25 miles
Surface area: 161,390 acres
Average depth: 132 feet
Maximum length: 186 miles
Maximum width: 25 miles
100 Best Bass Lakes rankings: <br>• 2014 – 54th <br>• 2013 – 44th
100 Best Bass Lakes rankings:
• 2014 – 54th
• 2013 – 44th
Fish species: <br>• Largemouth Bass <br>• Smallmouth Bass <br>• Striped Bass <br>• Carp <br>• Pike
Fish species:
• Largemouth Bass
• Smallmouth Bass
• Striped Bass
• Carp
• Pike
Lake Powell has been featured in 45 television series and movies including <em>Planet of the Apes</em>, <em>Maverick</em> and <em>Gravity</em>.
Lake Powell has been featured in 45 television series and movies including Planet of the Apes, Maverick and Gravity.
Apache Lake is located near the town of Tortilla Flat in Gila County, Ariz. About 65 miles from Phoenix, Apache Lake is formed by the Horse Mesa Dam impounded Salt River.
Apache Lake is located near the town of Tortilla Flat in Gila County, Ariz. About 65 miles from Phoenix, Apache Lake is formed by the Horse Mesa Dam impounded Salt River.
Surface area: 2,568 acres <br>Average depth: 240 feet <br>Maximum length: 17 miles <br>Maximum width: 1/2 mile
Surface area: 2,568 acres
Average depth: 240 feet
Maximum length: 17 miles
Maximum width: 1/2 mile
100 Best Bass Lakes rankings: <br>• 2013 – 61st
100 Best Bass Lakes rankings:
• 2013 – 61st
Fish species: <br>• Largemouth Bass <br>• Smallmouth Bass <br>• Yellow Bass <br>• Crappie <br>• Walleye <br>• Carp
Fish species:
• Largemouth Bass
• Smallmouth Bass
• Yellow Bass
• Crappie
• Walleye
• Carp
Apache Lake is part of the Tonto National Forest, and the Tonto National Monument that includes ancient cliff dwellings is four miles south of the reservoir.
Apache Lake is part of the Tonto National Forest, and the Tonto National Monument that includes ancient cliff dwellings is four miles south of the reservoir.
Theodore Roosevelt Lake is the largest lake or reservoir located entirely within the state of Arizona.
Theodore Roosevelt Lake is the largest lake or reservoir located entirely within the state of Arizona.
Surface area: 100,390 acres <br>Average depth: 375 feet <br>Maximum length: 22 miles <br>Maximum width: Approximately 2 miles
Surface area: 100,390 acres
Average depth: 375 feet
Maximum length: 22 miles
Maximum width: Approximately 2 miles
100 Best Bass Lakes rankings: <br>• 2013 – 66th
100 Best Bass Lakes rankings:
• 2013 – 66th
Fish species: <br>• Crappie <br>• Carp <br>• Largemouth Bass <br>• Smallmouth Bass
Fish species:
• Crappie
• Carp
• Largemouth Bass
• Smallmouth Bass
U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt dedicated the Roosevelt Dam himself in 1911.
U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt dedicated the Roosevelt Dam himself in 1911.
Martinez Lake is located in the Southwestern corner of Arizona, about 60 miles north of Yuma.
Martinez Lake is located in the Southwestern corner of Arizona, about 60 miles north of Yuma.
Surface area: Approximately 500 acres <br>Average depth: 1 to 10 feet
Surface area: Approximately 500 acres
Average depth: 1 to 10 feet
While Martinez Lake has never had a spot in the 100 Best Bass Lakes rankings, it was host to the 2010 B.A.S.S. Nation Western Divisional in 2010.
While Martinez Lake has never had a spot in the 100 Best Bass Lakes rankings, it was host to the 2010 B.A.S.S. Nation Western Divisional in 2010.
Fish species: <br>• Largemouth Bass <br>• Smallmouth Bass <br>• Striped Bass <br>• Crappie
Fish species:
• Largemouth Bass
• Smallmouth Bass
• Striped Bass
• Crappie
Martinez Lake, like the other best bass fisheries in arid Arizona, offers anglers of all skill sets the opportunity to enjoy their favorite hobby.
Martinez Lake, like the other best bass fisheries in arid Arizona, offers anglers of all skill sets the opportunity to enjoy their favorite hobby.