Summary
Arizona, a state located in the southwestern United States, stands out as a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, characterized by its diverse landscapes of mountains, plains, deserts, and rivers. This unique region showcases stunning scenery and a variety of terrain.
The state features major urban areas, Indigenous reservations, expansive forests, and impressive peaks, including famous landmarks like Grand Canyon National Park and Petrified Forest National Park. While Arizona lacks a coastline, it does offer several beautiful lakes.
1. Theodore Roosevelt Lake
Named in honor of the former U.S. President, Theodore Roosevelt Lake is a vast reservoir situated in central Arizona. This lake is the largest in the state, covering an area of over 8,600 hectares and boasting a shoreline of 205 kilometers.
The lake is renowned for its excellent fishing opportunities, supporting a diverse range of game fish, including carp, crappie, sunfish, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish. Moreover, it is home to the endangered Neotropical migrant bird, the willow flycatcher.
The surrounding Arizona National Scenic Trail enhances the lake’s appeal, providing scenic views. A marina located along the shoreline offers boat rentals, moorings, and camping facilities.
2. Lake Pleasant Regional Park
The largest lake in the Phoenix area, Lake Pleasant Regional Park, features a surface area of nearly 12 square miles and an extensive shoreline exceeding 180 kilometers.
This area serves as a prominent recreational hub, celebrated for its boating and fishing opportunities. Species of fish inhabiting the lake include white bass, crappie, sunfish, tilapia, and more.
With breathtaking scenery in its surroundings, this site is ideal for hiking, picnicking, mountain biking, and camping. Two marinas located along the lake’s perimeter provide boat rentals, storage, and mooring along with a shop and a restaurant.
3. Canyon Lake
Canyon Lake was established in 1925 through the damming of the Salt River. Covering an area of 380 hectares, this is the smallest lake along the river and is nestled amid the Superstition Mountains.
Located 24 kilometers from the Apache Trail and 82 kilometers east of Phoenix, this lake offers a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, camping, and boating.
Canyon Lake is a popular destination for avid fishermen, with species such as rainbow trout, largemouth bass, yellow bass, carp, and walleye available. The lake’s picturesque scenery is complemented by the surrounding Superstition Wilderness Area.
4. Apache Lake
Located 104 kilometers northeast of Phoenix, Apache Lake is one of four reservoirs situated along the Salt River, positioned along the Apache Trail in Tonto National Forest.
This lake serves as a popular destination for various recreational activities, many of which are facilitated at the marina. Fishing is a favored activity here, with anglers often catching largemouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, walleye, and sunfish.
The shoreline features three motels, an RV park, and a restaurant, in addition to several trails surrounding the lake.
5. Saguaro Lake
Saguaro Lake, another reservoir along the Salt River, is located within Tonto National Forest in Maricopa County, Arizona. This picturesque lake is surrounded by breathtaking natural landscapes, situated at an elevation of 459 meters above sea level.
The lake is well-regarded for its fishing opportunities, hosting a diverse range of fish species including rainbow trout, largemouth bass, yellow bass, crappie, channel catfish, and tilapia. Activities such as kayaking, water skiing, sailing, and jet skiing are also popular.
A marina along the 35 kilometers of shoreline provides a restaurant, boat ramps, restrooms, and picnic facilities. Additionally, Butcher Jones Beach on the lake offers swimming and picnicking.
6. Woods Canyon Lake
This quaint lake is located in northern Arizona within the Mogollon Rim, approximately 48 kilometers from Payson. Woods Canyon Lake is small yet deep, with an average depth of 7.6 meters.
The lake was primarily created for recreational purposes, with fishing being a predominant activity. Camping, hiking, and biking are also favored in the area.
Woods Canyon Lake remains accessible throughout the year, though access may be restricted during winter months. Nevertheless, summer attracts many families to the lake, making it particularly popular.
7. Bartlett Lake
Bartlett Lake serves as a reservoir renowned for exceptional sport fishing. A variety of fish species inhabit this lake, including smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, sunfish, crappie, crayfish, and flathead catfish.
This 815-hectare lake also offers opportunities for swimming, water skiing, and sailing, with picnic and barbeque areas along the shoreline. Numerous camping options are available in the vicinity, although the marina features rental accommodations.
Bartlett Lake was created by damming the Verde River in 1939 and lies approximately 77 kilometers from Phoenix in Tonto National Forest, enhanced by its vibrant wildflower and cactus surroundings.
8. Tempe Town Lake
As indicated by its name, Tempe Town Lake is situated within the city of Tempe in central Arizona. Created in 1997 and opened to the public in 1999, the lake features Tempe Beach Park, which includes pathways for cycling, jogging, and inline skating.
Visitors enjoy boating and fishing in the lake, with rainbow trout stocked annually. Additionally, several regattas take place throughout the year.
A large marketplace along the southern shoreline of the lake boasts shopping, dining options, fire pits, a concert venue, and pedestrian pathways, along with office towers and condominiums nearby.
9. Lynx Lake
Situated within Prescott National Forest, Lynx Lake is a charming body of water surrounded by lush trees and greenery. Located at an elevation of 1,690 meters, this lake is approximately eight kilometers east of Prescott.
Lynx Lake is among the most sought-after recreational sites in central Arizona, offering diverse activities such as boating, fishing, hiking, and camping. Additionally, it serves as a refuge for animal enthusiasts, with sightings of mule deer, bald eagles, bullfrogs, geese, and ospreys common.
Annually, over 125,000 visitors flock to the lake, many of whom are locals seeking relief from the desert heat. It is conveniently accessible by road with facilities designed for individuals with disabilities.
10. Alamo Lake
Enveloped by Alamo Lake State Park, Alamo Lake was established by the Alamo Dam in 1968 for flood control. Currently, it serves as a favored recreational area and is recognized as one of Arizona’s premier fishing destinations.
Anglers can expect to find an abundance of crappie, largemouth bass, channel catfish, sunfish, and tilapia, making it a hotspot for fishing competitions. In fact, it hosts at least one of the state’s fishing records each year.
The adjacent park provides facilities for camping and hiking, along with cabins for visitors seeking additional comfort. Activities such as swimming, boating, biking, and picnicking can also be enjoyed at Alamo Lake.
11. Blue Ridge Reservoir
Blue Ridge Reservoir, located within the Mogollon Rim area, is managed by the Coconino National Forest. This reservoir is known for its striking scenery, as it is surrounded by vibrant, colorful trees that descend to the water’s edge.
Covering a surface area of 28 hectares, the reservoir sits at an elevation exceeding 2,000 meters. Its remote location contributes to a less crowded atmosphere compared to other lakes in the state.
Blue Ridge Reservoir is an excellent destination for fishing, with the Arizona Game and Fish Department regularly stocking it with various trout species. The reservoir restricts boat motors to 10hp, ensuring a tranquil environment for visitors to unwind and appreciate the magnificent views.
12. Big Lake
Recognized as one of the best fishing lakes in the White Mountains, Big Lake has an average depth of approximately nine meters, predominantly inhabited by trout. The optimal fishing months are April and May, although the lake remains open from April to December.
Surrounding the lake are more than 200 camping sites, along with picnic areas, showers, and restrooms. Access for boats is facilitated through two launch ramps, albeit with motors restricted to 10hp.
Located within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, Big Lake is approximately 42 kilometers south of Springerville and Eagar. Notably, the lake is inaccessible during winter.
13. Willow Springs Lake
Positioned atop the Mogollon Rim, approximately 37 kilometers east of Payson, Willow Springs Lake is a cold-water body of water that is part of Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, enveloped by spectacular canyons.
Established in 1967 by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the lake provides recreational opportunities for both locals and visitors. Fishing remains the most pursued activity here, with waters stocked with various trout, bass, and sunfish.
Surrounding the lake are 26 campsites, along with picnic shelters, public restrooms, and boat ramps. Open year-round, ice fishing is available during winter months.
14. Lake Mary
Lake Mary consists of two lakes located southeast of Flagstaff in northern Arizona. Both the upper and lower lakes offer recreational opportunities and are managed by the Coconino National Forest. They were named in honor of Mary Riordan, daughter of a wealthy lumber magnate who constructed the lakes in 1905.
Upper Lake Mary, a narrow expanse, is regularly stocked with sunfish, rainbow trout, and channel catfish, occasionally featuring northern pike. The smaller Lower Lake Mary frequently dries up during the hotter months.
Both lakes are home to diverse wildlife, including elk, deer, bald eagles, and green-blue herons. In the summer, the Lake Mary area attracts numerous birdwatchers.
15. Goldwater Lake
Goldwater Lake was formed by damming Bannon Creek, situated south of Prescott in North Central Arizona. This lake is maintained by the City of Prescott Parks and Recreation.
It is a popular fishing location, wherein the Arizona Game and Fish Department ensures a steady supply of rainbow trout. While swimming is prohibited, activities such as kayaking and canoeing are permitted, with rentals available on-site.
Facilities along the lake’s shoreline include picnic tables, grills, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, and a children’s playground. Additionally, a hiking trail encircles the 10-hectare lake.
16. Rose Canyon Lake
Situated approximately 48 kilometers from Tucson, Rose Canyon Lake covers an area of 2.8 hectares within the Santa Catalina Mountains. It is the only lake in the vicinity offering recreational fishing, as it is consistently stocked with brown and rainbow trout.
Access to the lake is available via Rose Canyon Campground, a delightful area surrounded by forested landscapes. This site features multiple campsites, hiking trails, campfire pits, picnic areas, and ample parking space.
Rose Canyon Lake is a tranquil and picturesque location, home to various bird species, towering trees, and rocky slopes. It serves as an ideal retreat for meditation, inhaling fresh air, and enjoying the surrounding natural beauty.
