Grab Your Gear – We’re Fishing Lake Pleasant, Arizona!

In the Sonoran Desert, just about an hour northwest of Phoenix, Lake Pleasant is one of Arizona’s premier fishing destinations. Known for its scenic beauty and diverse aquatic life, this lake attracts anglers from all over the region. 

Spanning over 10,000 acres when full, and with depths reaching 170 feet, Lake Pleasant offers ample opportunities for various fishing experiences year-round. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a weekend angler, this manmade lake in the desert offers a trifecta of sport, relaxation and serenity. Watch this video to see how the pros catch fish in Lake Pleasant.

Overview of the Lake

Lake Pleasant reservoir was formed by the creation of the Waddell Dam and is part of the Lake Pleasant Regional Park. The lake’s water comes from the Agua Fria River and is unique in that it has both warm-water and cold-water fisheries. Due to the lake’s fluctuating water levels and wide ambient temperature swings of the desert, it creates both warm- and cold-water fishing conditions – depending on the season. 

With its close proximity to largest city in Arizona – Phoenix - and accessibility via well-maintained roads, Lake Pleasant Regional Park as a whole is a popular getaway for those looking to enjoy camping, water sports, and, of course, fishing.

Fish Species in Lake Pleasant

One of the major draws of Lake Pleasant is its variety of fish species. Whether you’re after trophy fish or simply looking for a fun day out with the kids, this lake caters to all types of fishing enthusiasts. Some of the key species include:

1. Largemouth Bass:
    This type of bass are the most popular target for anglers at Lake Pleasant. The bass population is healthy, and during the spring spawn, the fish are more accessible in shallower warmer waters – 3 to 10 feet deep usually. Anglers typically have success using swimbaits, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and soft plastics near submerged vegetation and in rocky areas. If you are not familiar with how to fish swimbaits, this is a great video to show you how to do it.
    
2. Striped Bass:
    Striped bass, or "stripers," are another prized catch. These fish can be found in cooler deeper waters, especially during the warmer months when they tend to school. As far as where to fish, focus on points, deep channels, and areas near submerged structures like humps and drop-offs. Live shad is a top choice for stripers. But you can also use spoons, topwater plugs, or crankbaits. Trolling with deep-diving crankbaits is an effective method where you can cover a lot of water. The stripers in Lake Pleasant can grow quite large, with some catches up around 20 pounds … making for a thrilling catch even for pro anglers! Here is a video showing a fisherman catching large stripers on Lake Pleasant. 
3. White Bass:
    This is another species that offers a fun challenge. Though smaller than their striped counterparts, they are plentiful and provide good action for light tackle fishing. Look for schools of them (or baitfish) on your depth finder in deeper water during the warmer months. Casting shad-patterned crankbaits or trolling silver spoons that mimic the white bass’s favorite prey are ideal. Use your depth finder to find to help you locate schools of baitfish. During spring, especially from March to May, white bass move to shallow areas and rivers for spawning. During the spring spawn is one of the best times to catch them.
4. Channel and Flathead Catfish:
    For those who prefer bottom fishing, Lake Pleasant offers a robust catfish population. Channel catfish are common, but flathead catfish are the ones that grow to impressive sizes in this lake. Anglers often use cut bait, stink bait, or chicken liver for targeting these bottom feeders, especially in the coves and deeper parts of the lake.
5. Crappie:
    Though not as numerous as bass or catfish, crappie fishing can be productive during the cooler months, particularly in the spring when they move into shallow warmer waters to spawn. Trolling or casting a small 1/16 to 1/32 oz jig coupled with and live minnows around submerged brushy or rocky areas is an effective technique for catching crappie. They are a schooling fish so where you catch one, there is likely to be more.
6. Bluegill and Sunfish:
    Lake Pleasant is also home to various panfish species like bluegill and sunfish. These smaller fish are perfect for novice anglers or those introducing children to the sport of fishing from a boat. Ensure your children wear a flotation device at all times when around water.

The Best Spots by Season

Agua Fria River Inlet

• This area is a prime place to fish during Spring as the higher water flow attracts many species, including largemouth bass, white bass, and catfish.
• In the Summer, it often has cooler water and more oxygen, thus attracting more fish. Striped bass are known to school here, and it can be a productive spot for trolling or drift fishing with live shad or anchovies.
• In the Fall, the Inlet is a prime area for white bass and stripers, especially where schools of shad are present. Larger fish will often follow the baitfish into this area. 
• Fishing at night here can be productive for various species, especially catfish and striped bass if the water is flowing.

Humbug Bay

• This is another popular spring fishing spot for largemouth bass, crappie, and white bass, especially during their spawning periods.
• The bay is known for its submerged brush and underwater structures, which are great for bass and crappie. It’s a productive spot during the early morning and late evening when fish move closer to the shallows.
• In the Fall, Humbug Bay is a hotspot for a variety of species, including largemouth bass, white bass, and crappie. The varied structure in this area attracts fish.
• This area is also a popular area for night fishing, known for its submerged structure and variety of species, including striped bass and catfish.

Castle Creek 

• In the spring, the Castle Creek area is a productive area for targeting striped bass and largemouth bass.
• In the Summer, it offers a mix of deep and shallow water, with rocky points and underwater structures where fish tend to congregate. This area is ideal for targeting largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish. Fish early morning or late evening near the points and submerged structure. During the day, move to deeper water.
• As the water begins to cool going into Fall, focus on areas where you see baitfish activity. Topwater lures can be effective early in the day, while crankbaits work well later in the day.

Main Lake Points 

• During the Spring, focus on the points, submerged humps or channels in this area as these are all good areas for striped bass and white bass.
• In summer, the fish are most active when the water is cooler, so it’s best to fish around sunrise and sunset. Fish tend to move closer to the surface during these times, and topwater lures can be effective for bass family of fishes.
• Main Lake Points and humps in the Fall are where larger predatory fish, like stripers and largemouth bass are likely to find baitfish schools and ambush them in open water.
• Night fishing for catfish here around the points is a good option, especially with live or cut bait.

Northern Coves 

• The coves in this part of the lake are shallower making them good areas for crappie, largemouth bass, and white bass during spawning in the Spring.
• The coves provide cooler, more sheltered water in the Summer than does the open lake during this time of year. Fish tend to seek out these areas, especially early in the morning, late in the evening.
• In the Fall is a great time to explore coves in the northern part of the lake, where bass and crappie often move into shallower waters following schools of baitfish.
• Northern Coves offer quieter, less trafficked areas for night fishing, often attracting largemouth bass and crappie.

Other Key Spots

• The Dam Area with its deeper and cooler water makes this a popular spot for striped bass and catfish, especially during the hot summer days. 
• Coles Bay is known for its quiet coves and submerged structures, making it an ideal location for bass and catfish. The protected waters and shade from surrounding hills can make it cooler than other parts of the lake.
• Jackass Cove has deep water and plenty of submerged structures that attract fish, especially in the summer. It's a good spot for bass and catfish.
• Cottonwood Cove has a good mix of shallow and deeper water, making it a great spot for a variety of species, especially early morning or late evening. 
• Pipeline Cove offers a combination of deeper waters and nearby points where fish like to gather. It’s a popular area for largemouth bass fishing, especially during early morning and evening hours.
• Scorpion Bay is known for its deep waters and can produce good results for catfish and bass at night.

Fishing the Seasons

Spring Tips

As the water temperature rises during spring (especially between March and May), fish become more active, moving into shallower waters to feed and spawn.

Early mornings and evenings are still great times to fish during this time of the year, though midday fishing can also be productive as fish are actively feeding in water warmed by the sun.

Summer Tips

Fishing at Lake Pleasant during the summer presents unique challenges due to the intense Arizona heat, and temperature swings. But it can still be very rewarding, especially if you adjust your tactics.

Early morning (from around sunrise to around mid-morning) and again in the late evening (sunset to dusk) are the two best daylight times to fish here in the summer. is the best time. Fish are more active in the cooler water near the surface before the sun heats up the lake. Night fishing can also be productive as the water cools down from the intense heat of the day.

Fall Tips

As the temperatures cool down, fish become more active, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon. Fish that had retreated to deeper, cooler water in summer move back toward the shallows.

Fall is when baitfish like shad school up, and larger fish species like stripers and white bass follow them. Keep an eye out for surface activity indicating schools of shad being chased by predators.

Night-Time Tips

Night fishing on Lake Pleasant can be a very productive and enjoyable experience, especially during the warmer months. Many species, including striped bass, largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie, become more active at night as they hunt in cooler, low-light conditions. Here are some tips to help you have a successful night fishing trip:

• Submersible green lights are great for attracting plankton, which draws in baitfish like shad, and in turn, attracts larger predatory fish like bass and catfish. 
• Night fishing requires extra care. Bring appropriate lighting (headlamps, lanterns), wear flotation devices and familiarize yourself with the area during the day.
• Noise can scare fish away at night, especially in calm waters. Try to keep noise levels low to avoid spooking fish.
• Fish rely more on scent and vibration at night, so using scented soft plastics or lures that vibrate, like spinners, can work well.

Fishing Techniques and Tips

Techniques used to fish Lake Pleasant can vary depending on the time of year, water levels, and weather conditions. Here are a few tips to help increase your chances of a successful trip:

1. Timing: Early mornings and late evenings are generally the best times to fish, as cooler temperatures bring the fish closer to the surface to feed. Nighttime fishing can also be very productive if done correctly. If you are not familiar with fishing at night on Lake Pleasant, this video shows you how to do it. 
2. Live Bait: Shad and anchovies are commonly used live baits for catching striped bass and catfish. Using a fish finder to locate schools of baitfish can greatly improve your chances.
3. Trolling: When the striped bass are deep, trolling with lures like deep-diving crankbaits or live bait is an effective method, particularly in the warmer months when fish are suspended in deeper waters.
4. Coves and Inlets: Targeting these areas, especially during the spring spawning season, can be highly productive for bass fishing. Rocky points and underwater structures are also excellent places to focus on.
5. Casting Jigs & Swimbaits: If fishing from shore, soft plastic swimbaits, spoons, or bucktail jigs can work well for stripers, white bass and largemouth bass.
6. Temperature & Depth: Stripers tend to follow baitfish, so pay attention to water temperatures and your depth finder to see where baitfish schools are gathering.

Lake Pleasant provides ample opportunities for both novice and experienced anglers alike. Its year-round accessibility, diverse fish population, and stunning desert landscape make it one of the top fishing destinations in Arizona. So, grab your gear, head out to the lake, and enjoy a memorable fishing experience in the heart of the desert!

Come Home to Carefree Covered RV Storage 

When you’re ready to leave Lake Pleasant, come home to Carefree Covered RV Storage. Take the hassle out of boat and RV storage by renting a space from us.

When you store your recreational vehicles with us, you’ll enjoy secure, quality covered RV, boat, and trailer storage with our extensive video camera surveillance, along with 365-day automated access with our phone gate app, charging outlets, free Wi-Fi, and free self RV wash and sewer dump. 

We’ve even got complimentary bags of ice! We’re always here for our customers at Carefree Covered RV Storage. Check out our facilities in Texas and Arizona, then stop by, and we’ll get your rig set up. 

At Carefree Covered RV Storage, you’re guaranteed peace of mind, protection, and personalized, old-fashioned service. We make it easy for you to rent and make payments online, maintain your vehicle, and get on the road — so that you can keep living the carefree life.