Fishing At Roosevelt Lake

AKA: Lake Roosevelt

What to fish for...

Fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, bluegill and yellow bass at Roosevelt Lake in Arizona.

Located in Central Arizona at the convergence of the Salt River and Tonto Creek, Roosevelt Lake is the head lake in a chain of 4 lakes. These lakes provide water to the Phoenix metropolitan area. It is accessed via State Highway 188 northeast from Globe and Miami AZ. Lake Roosevelt is over 22,000 surface acres when full and is 23 miles long. Numerous campgrounds with boat launch facilities are located along the southwestern shore of the lake. Windy Hill, Schoolhouse Point, Grapevine, Cholla, Porter Springs and Horse Pasture are the primary areas with facilities.

Primary fish species residing in Roosevelt Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Bass Fishing

Historically, Roosevelt Lake has been known as a bass factory. An excellent population of largemouth bass has filled many a stringer for decades. The lake has ideal cover and forage to grow and maintain this bass haven. Lake levels fluctuate based on rainfall and snow melt. When the lake level stays high for long periods of time, the bass population thrives. At times, bass over 7 pounds are not uncommon, but the real attraction is the large quantities of bass available to anglers of all skill levels. The lake also sports a population of smallmouth bass which can add extra rewards to a day of bass fishing at Roosevelt Lake.

Crappie Fishing

Long known as a crappie factory, Roosevelt produces crappie over three pounds quite consistently. Crappie in the 1 pound to 2 1/2 pound range are the norm. Small crappie jigs, minnows spinners all take crappie at a variety of depths - depending on the season. During spring and fall crappie tend to favor seven to ten foot depths. In summer and winter they move deeper (often 45 feet and deeper).

Roosevelt Lake Amenities

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

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Roosevelt Lake Marina
Rentals: power boats and pontoons.
602 977-7170

Marinas

Roosevelt Lake Marina
28085 AZ-188
Roosevelt, AZ 85545
602 977-7170

Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Cholla Boat Ramp
Tonto National Forest
Located along the northwest shoreline, this launch area includes a multi-lane concrete boat ramp, a dock and both paved and unpaved parking.
928 467-3200

Grapevine Boat Launch Ramp
Located on the south side of the lake, half way between Windy Hill and School House Point, this is a concrete, four-lane ramp with a dock and paved parking.
602 225-8395

Indian Point Campground Boat Launch
This is a nice two-lane launch ramp, with a dock and primitive parking.
928 467-3200

Porter Spring Recreation Site
Located just west of Windy Hill, this launch area serves the campground by providing a two-lane concrete boat launch ramp with limited parking.

Roosevelt Lake Marina
28085 AZ-188
Roosevelt, AZ 85545
Offers a two-lane, concrete launch ramp, with a dock. Parking area is unpaved.
602 977-7170

Schoolhouse Point Launch Ramp
This is a nice four-lane, concrete boat launch ramp, with a dock and plenty of paved parking.
602 225-5395

Windy Hill Recreation Site (East)
Located in the bay on the south side of windy hill, there are two boat ramps. One is four lane with docks and primitive parking (used primarily when lake levels are low. The other is an eight-lane ramp with paved parking (used when lake levels are high).

Windy Hill Recreation Site (West)
Located on the west side of windy hill, this boat ramp is six lane with a dock and primitive parking.

Click here for a Arizona Fishing License.