Horseshoe Lake

Update: 3/26/2017 Lake elevation is 2,024 feet (95-percent full).

Horseshoe Lake also known as Horseshoe Reservoir is filled from the Verde River. It rarely reaches it's full capacity of water due to power demands. Check ahead if you'r heading out. Just below Horseshoe is Bartlett lake to the south. When Horseshoe is full, you can find good largemouth fishing, smallmouth bass and catfish.

You can fish below Horseshoe Dam at Catfish Point and along the Verde River until you reach Bartlett.

GPS:

33 59' 20.6N 11143' 32.1W

Phone Numbers for more information::

Cave Creek Ranger District 40202 N Cave Creek RD, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Ph. 480-595-3300 Fax 480 595 3346 or Check the Game and Fish site at this link or SRP

Restrictions/Season of Use:

Horseshoe Lake is open when it has water.

Road Conditions:

The roads to Horseshoe Lake are paved all the way to Srv 205. It turns into washboard dirt road with pot holes and washouts from there a 4 wheel drive is recomended.

Land Ownership:

Tonto National Forest

Ranger Station/District:

There are no ranger stations at Horseshoe Lake the closes one is near Bartlett Lake Marina or on Bartlett Dam Rd off Cave Creek Rd

Entrance Fees/Permits:

Horseshoe Lake's Fee is the Tonto Pass. You can order one from us here or buy one from a licenses vendore in person.

Elevation:

The elevation at Horseshoe Lake is 2200 ft feet,Desert/ sonoran

Max Surface Acres:

Horseshoe Lake has 790 feet of surface acers and 27 miles of shoreline

River Lake Impounds:

Horseshoe Lake is filled from the Verde River

Average Depth:

The average depth for Horseshoe Lake is 30 ft

Bag Limit:

Unlimited Bass and Catfish

Boat/Engine Restrictions:

There are no motor restrictions at Horseshoe Lake

Boats to Rent:

No

Swimming:

You can swim all you want at Horseshoe Lake unless otherwise posted

Barrier free Access:

Yes but limited

Trailer Spaces:

No

Electricity:

No

Launching Area:

There is a partialy paved launching area right near the dam and a dirt one a little to the west.

Water Skiing:

Yes

Cleaning Stations:

No

Marinas:

The closest marina is at Bartlett lake. There are no Marinas at Horseshoe

You drive to Horseshoe lake the sme way you would as if you were turning to Bartlett Lake. But you turn off to the left on Srv Rd 205 about 15 minutes before you reach Bartlett Lake. This Rd Srv 205 is paved for a little while but then it turns into dirt. Its a real washboard road with washouts from the rain. Theres also a part of the river that runs across the road just before you reach the dam that can be pretty hairy to cross when its been raining. A 4 wheel drive is recommended. Here are the directions to Bartlett:

a) Bartlett Lake From Central Phoenix Take 51 north to 101 East. Take 101 East to Pima/Princess Road (Exit 36). Go left (north) to Cave Creek Road. Turn right (east) on Cave Creek and travel 4 miles to Bartlett Dam Road. Turn right on Bartlett Dam. In 20 minutes you will arrive at Bartlett Lake Marina (13 mil
b)Bartlett Lake From the West Valley Take I-17 north to the Carefree Highway (Exit 223). Turn right (east) on the Carefree Highway and turn left on Cave Creek Road (9 miles). Go through the towns of Cave Creek and Carefree and travel 10.5 miles to Bartlett Dam Road. Turn right on Bartlett Dam. In 20 minutes you will arrive at Bartlett Lake Marina (13miles).
c) Bartlett Lake From the East Valley Take 101 North to Pima/Princess Road (Exit 36). Go right (north) to Cave Creek Road. Turn right (east) on Cave Creek and travel 4 miles to Bartlett Dam Road. Turn right on Bartlett Dam and in 20 minutes you will arrive at Bartlett Lake Marina (13 miles).

Here is a video of my last trip to Horseshoe Lake. This trip I caught a huge largemouth bass. If you have never been out to Horse Shoe Lake, be sure and check the water level of the actual lake. There is usually enough water below the dam to take a small boat in