Apache Lake, AZ

Apache Lake Bass On A Spinnerbait

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Apache Lake, AZ

Apache Lake, the second lake in the Salt River Chain Of Lakes, is my personal favorite of all the bass fishing lakes in Arizona. It offers some very fine smallmouth bass fishing as well as great largemouth fishing. It is a flooded river channel with awe-inspiring surroundings which include wildlife refuges. You can catch smallmouth and largemouth on back-to-back casts, and the lake is known for great top-water action during the warm months. Apache lake offers some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in the state. At the Apache Lake Marina there are convenient lodging and camping options, plus a restaurant, bar and store.

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Fish species to fish for...

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

Salt River Section

Apache Lake Bass From Rived Area

Bass in Apache Lake feed on threadfin shad, gizzard shad, small sunfish, and crawfish. In the river section of the lake, from the Roosevelt Lake Dam to the Burnt Coral Campground and boat launch, bass tend to locate on steep, vertical banks. Most of this section is large broken rock with lots of places to hide, and ambush prey. There are resident fish in this area year round. Additionally, in warm months as the shad run up river, other schools of bass migrate into the river with the shad. Crankbaits in crawfish or shad patterns work well when the bass are active. In less active periods, pitching a jig or Texas-style worm around the broken rocks is a good approach. Anglers wishing to fish from the bank can find numerous spots along this 6-mile section of road from the Roosevelt Dam to Burnt Coral. Chunk Beach is convenient as it is only one mile from the dam. Three Mile Wash, when open, makes for a quick way to launch a boat, especially if you plan to fish the river section. It also offers easy access for fishing from the bank.

Main Lake

Apache Lake Across From Burnt Coral

The area from Burnt Coral to Matazal Bay has banks with more slope, and generally smaller rock, gravel and sand. These areas are spotted with clusters of reeds that create good hiding spots for both bass and their prey. Most gravel shorelines are spotted with boulders and chunk rock which are good holding spots for bass. There are also scattered sections of steep banks with big, broken rock. Crawdads, a favorite prey for bass, are commonly found around virtually all types of rocky areas. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, jigs and worms will all catch fish in these areas. In recent years, the Arizona Game & Fish Department organized a fish habitat project to enhance the fish population. Review the list of multiple locations, scattered around the lake. These man-made structures are a magnet to bass, crappie, panfish and baitfish.

Typical Apache Lake Rocky Shoreline

From Matazal Bay to the Apache Lake Resort & Marina, there are a variety of shoreline types to fish. Several coves, numerous points,steep rocky banks, sloping gravel banks, and submerged structure are all available in this area. Finding shad can provide a clue to finding bass. When the sun is up, both largemouth and smallmouth bass look for shade or deep water structure. Reaction baits work well in the mornings and evenings, or on cloudy days. During the bright sunny parts of the day, drop-shot rigs and jigs worked slowly can often entice a strike.

As you proceed west from the Apache Lake Marina toward the Ash Creek area, there are steep walls and boulders on the north side. On the south side of this section there are coves, gravel points, rocky areas and a fairly flat section strewn with boulders - many the size of cars and larger. Topwater, crankbaits, jigs and worms all work the area well.

Apache Lake North Shore Toward Horse Mesa Dam

From Ash Creek to the Horse Mesa Dam which creates Apache Lake, the lake is quite deep with generally steep banks. There is a mixture of steep walls, big rocky structures, rocky points, coves and some gravel banks mixed in. There are several major coves on this end of the lake which play a big part in the spawn each year. The larger ones include Long Canyon, LeGrand Cove, and the cove below Painted Cliffs. This is a vast area. Most of the large-rock banks hold resident fish year round, which move up and down in the water column to find comfortable temperatures and food.

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