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Apache Lake

Lakes of Arizona item created by HookedAZ, Oct 6, 2016

Average User Rating:
4.33333/5,
Tags. Please type in a Lake Name, Species of Fish etc:
  • Apache Lake is one of four artificial reservoirs created along the Salt River in central Arizona as part of the Salt River Project. It was created by Horse Mesa dam in 1927. The lake is second heading south starting with Roosevelt Lake and spills into Canyon just below. This lake suffered a bad fish kill off around 2008 but there is water and fish in there now. This lake was once once a prime spot to catch walleye, largemouth, flathead and crappie. I haven't fished it since the kill off, but its worth a trip out to fish and if you've never been down the Apache Trail, definitely worth the trip. The Apache trail is a historic dirt road the follows the south shores off Apache and Canyon Lake just south of Roosevelt Dam and will eventually take you back into town on the 88 near Mesa. A four wheel drive is not necessary in good weather.
  • GPS:
    Latitude: 33° 34' 44.46"N Longitude: 111° 15' 20.87"W
    Phone Numbers for more information::
    Tonto Basin Ranger Station HC02 Box 4800 Roosevelt, AZ 85545 (928)-467-3200 - Tonto Basin Ranger District (928) 467-3200
    Restrictions/Season of Use:
    Open all year
    Land Ownership:
    Tonto National Forest
    Entrance Fees/Permits:
    Tonto Pass Required
    Max Surface Acres:
    2500
    River Lake Impounds:
    Salt River
    Average Depth:
    240
    Fishing Allowed:
    Yes
    Barrier free Access:
    Yes
HookedAZ, Oct 6, 2016

Recent User Reports and Reviews

  1. HookedAZ
    5/5,
    "Lake elevation is 1,906 feet (92-percent full)."
    Date:
    May 19, 2017
    Majority of bass are in post spawn, as is the case at all central Arizona lakes. Bring a variety of baits. Spinners have been successful with smallmouth bass. Crankbaits and jigs also have been effective.

    Try reaction baits in the morning and during afternoons, jigs or dropshots. Not a bad time to drift along and throw crankbaits or spiinnerbaits.

    Various jigs also can be effective – try crawdad imitations. Points, islands and rocky structures tend to hold the majority of largemouth bass – keep moving.

    Walleye fishing could be decent at first and last light using nightcrawler rigs, or jigs tipped with a worm. Apache is also full of some really nice yellow bass. Try gold KastMasters or yellow/gold Rooster Tails.
    HookedAZ, May 23, 2017
  2. Reports
    5/5,
    "1,912 feet (95-percent full)."
    Date:
    Mar 26, 2017
    Spinners have been successful with smallmouth bass. Crankbaits and jigs also have been effective.

    Try reaction baits in the morning and during afternoons, jigs or dropshots. Not a bad time to drift along and throw crankbaits or spiinnerbaits. Apache Lake’s final schedule trout stocking of the winter season was a month ago.

    Various jigs also can be effective – try crawdad imitations. Points, islands and rocky structures tend to hold the majority of largemouth bass – keep moving.

    Walleye fishing could be decent at first and last light using nightcrawler rigs, or jigs tipped with a worm. Apache is also full of some really nice yellow bass. Try gold KastMasters or yellow/gold Rooster Tails.
    Reports, Mar 25, 2017
  3. Jeff k
    5/5,
    "Lake elevation is 1,913 feet (98-percent full)."
    Date:
    Mar 9, 2017
    There has been a threadfin shad die-off due to golden algae. Golden algae is not harmful to humans and we are monitoring water quality and fish health on all Salt River-chain lakes.

    Spinners have been successful with smallmouth bass. Anglers might also consider rip baits.

    Try reaction baits in the morning and during afternoons, jigs or dropshots. Not a bad time to drift along and throw crankbaits or spiinnerbaits. Apache Lake’s final schedule trout stocking of the winter season was 3 weeks ago.

    Various jigs also can be effective – try crawdad imitations. Points, islands and rocky structures tend to hold the majority of largemouth bass – keep moving.

    Walleye fishing could be decent at first and last light using nightcrawler rigs, or jigs tipped with a worm. Apache is also full of some really nice yellow bass. Try gold KastMasters or yellow/gold Rooster Tails.
    Jeff k, Mar 8, 2017
Read all 6 reviews...

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  1. Jana Earnest
    Hi, I am looking for a fishing guide for Saturday, June 8th on Apache Lake. My family of four would like to go fishing and I have heard we can hire a guide who could take us out with a boat and reels. Can you give us some names?

    Thanks,

    Jana and Keith Earnest
    Jana Earnest, Oct 24, 2016
  2. kris
    what is the date for the fishing tournament this March
    kris, Oct 24, 2016
  3. Jana Earnest
    Hi, I am looking for a fishing guide for Saturday, June 8th on Apache Lake. My family of four would like to go fishing and I have heard we can hire a guide who could take us out with a boat and reels. Can you give us some names?

    Thanks,

    Jana and Keith Earnest
    Jana Earnest, Oct 27, 2016
  4. HookedAZ
    The Arizona Game and Fish Department recently investigated a fish die-off of thousands of threadfin shad at Apache Lake in the Tonto National Forest.

    AZGFD collected water samples on Tuesday, Feb. 28 and determined the die-off was caused by a golden alga bloom largely restricted to the riverine portion of Apache below Roosevelt Lake.

    Golden alga is not harmful to humans, and therefore Apache Lake remains safe for water activities, including fishing.

    "Golden alga thrives on elevated salinity associated with drought conditions," said Marc Dahlberg, Water Quality Manager at AZGFD. "Therefore, recent heavy rains will hopefully knock down salinity levels and help control golden alga blooms."

    At this point, AZGFD believes the fish kill has been restricted to threadfin shad and a few gizzard shad, both of which are highly sensitive to the toxin produced by golden alga.
    HookedAZ, Mar 8, 2017