Guide To Fishing At Apache Lake

AKA: Lake Apache

What to fish for...

Fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, bluegill and yellow bass at Apache Lake in Arizona.

Situated below Roosevelt Lake, 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.

Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Rental Boats
Marinas
Boat Launch Ramps
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Lake Video
Contact Info

Take your time, drive slow and enjoy the scenery. This 2,600-acre lake is one of the most scenic lakes in central Arizona, with some of the most spectacular sunrises and sunsets seen in the southwest deserts.

Primary fish species residing in Apache Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

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 smallmouth with 3 and 4-pounders common - and larger smallies not uncommon.

Apache Lake Bass Caught on A Spinnerbait — **Mary Seaman** with a nice bass.

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, or deeper. 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 a drop shot work well when the bass move deeper.

Read an article about fishing at Apache Lake.

Other species in Apache Lake

Catfish, crappie, trout, sunfish and walleye also reside in Apache lake. Any of which occasionally attack bass lures, but the main attraction are the largemouth and smallmouth bass.

Apache Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES