Apache Lake, Arizona

Located on the Salt River in central Arizona, Apache Lake is about an hours drive northwest from Apache Junction on State Highway 88. It can also be accessed going south on State Highway 88 from Roosevelt Dam off State Highway 188. Both directions require travel on winding, reasonably-well maintained dirt roads. Take your time, drive slow and enjoy the scenery. This is one of the most scenic lakes in central Arizona with some of the most spectacular sunrises and sunsets seen in the southwest deserts.

Bass Fishing At Apache Lake

This deep-canyon lake is a flooded section of the Salt River. In the upper six or eight miles it looks and feels much more like a river than a lake. There is very little brush or vegetation in the lake, so rock and contours become the structure of choice for bass. There is a healthy population of largemouth bass, but the real attraction are the smallmouth. This lake produces quality smallmouths with 3 and 4-pounders common - and larger smallies not uncommon.

These bass can be caught on shallow points and reefs when the bass are shallow. When they move deeper they can be caught from 10 to 50 foot deep. The water is generally clear, so light line is a good choice. Small worms, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and topwater all work when the bass are shallow. Jigs, spoons and dropshot work well when the bass move deeper.

Catfish, crappie, sunfish and walleye also reside in Apache lake. But the main attraction are the largemouth and smallmouth bass.

Apache Lake Map

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