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Apache Lake, AZ – My Go-To Bait When Nothing Else Works: THE RED SENKO #fishing #kayakfishing

Summary

Lake Details

Fish Types

Gear & Tackle

Directions

Apache Lake Fishing Guide 🎣

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February Drop Shotting at Apache Lake, AZ

​Apache Lake is a great spot for fishing in Maricopa County, Arizona. It’s about 65 miles northeast of Phoenix and sits along the scenic Apache Trail. The lake is home to many fish, including largemouth and smallmouth bass, yellow bass, crappie, sunfish, catfish, walleye, and carp. Whether you’re fishing from a boat or the shore, there’s a good chance you’ll catch something. The lake is surrounded by beautiful desert views, making it a peaceful place to relax. There’s also the Apache Lake Marina and Resort nearby, which offers places to stay, a restaurant, and boat rentals. Just be aware that in 2022, there was a fish die-off caused by golden algae, but the lake has since recovered.

Lake Details

Apache Lake Fishing Guide 🎣 :

  • Apache Fishing Lake, located about 65 miles northeast of Phoenix, Arizona, is a fantastic place for fishing. Surrounded by the beautiful desert landscape of the Tonto National Forest, it’s a peaceful spot to relax and enjoy nature. The lake is known for its clear waters and variety of fish, making it a favorite for both beginners and experienced anglers. Whether you’re casting from the shore or a boat, Apache Lake offers a fun and rewarding fishing experience.
  • Lake Details: Apache Lake is a man-made reservoir formed by the Horse Mesa Dam on the Salt River. It covers about 2,568 acres and has an average depth of 240 feet. The lake sits at an elevation of 1,900 feet, providing stunning views of the surrounding desert hills. Its size and depth make it ideal for various water activities, including fishing, boating, and swimming.
  • Fish Species: The lake is home to a diverse range of fish species. Anglers can expect to catch largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow bass, crappie, sunfish, channel catfish, flathead catfish, walleye, and carp. This variety ensures that every fishing trip can be exciting, with the possibility of landing different types of fish.​
  • Fishing Conditions: Fishing at Apache Lake is generally good year-round, but spring and fall are considered the best seasons. During these times, fish are more active and closer to the surface, making them easier to catch. In 2022, there was a fish die-off due to golden algae, but the lake has since recovered, and fishing conditions have improved.​
  • Boating Regulations: Boating is allowed on Apache Lake, and there are facilities available for boat launching. However, it’s important to follow all boating regulations set by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. This includes having the necessary safety equipment on board and adhering to speed limits and no-wake zones to ensure everyone’s safety on the water.​
  • Fishing Techniques: Different fishing techniques can be effective at Apache Lake. For bass, using plastic worms or crankbaits near rocky areas can yield good results. Catfish are often caught using stink baits or chicken liver, especially during the evening. Crappie and sunfish respond well to small jigs or live minnows. Adjusting your technique based on the target species can enhance your fishing success.​
  • For the most current information on fishing conditions, regulations, and amenities, it’s advisable to consult the Arizona Game and Fish Department‘s official resources or contact local authorities directly.
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Top Fish at Apache Lake Fishing Guide 🎣

Lake Information

  • Name/Location:
    Lake Apache
  • Surface Acres: 2,568
  • Avg Depth: 240 feet
  • County: Maricopa County
  • Website:
  • Fs.usda.gov
  • ApacheLake.com
  • VisitArizona.com
  • Fishing License: A valid fishing or combination license is required for resident and nonresident anglers 10 years of age or older fishing any public accessible water in Arizona.

Lake Amenities

  • Boat Launch Ramps
    Apache Lake has boat ramps, so you can easily get your boat into the water.
  • Apache Lake Marina & Resort
    This resort offers motel rooms, an RV park, and campgrounds with full hookups. It’s a great place to stay overnight.
  • Gas Dock
    There’s a gas dock at the marina, so you can refuel your boat without leaving the lake.
  • Restaurant and Bar
    After a day of fishing, you can grab a meal or a drink at the on-site restaurant and bar.
  • General Store
    The general store sells snacks, drinks, and other supplies you might need.
  • Wet and Dry Boat Storage
    The marina offers both wet and dry boat storage options.
  • Fishing Opportunities
    The lake is home to many fish species, including bass, crappie, sunfish, catfish, walleye, and carp.

Nearby Lakes

Fish Types

Largemouth Bass Fishing Guide Baits Lures Techniques.webp

Largemouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass Fishing Guide Baits Lures Techniques.webp

Smallmouth Bass

Sunfish Fishing Guide Baits Lures Techniques.webp

Sunfish

Black Crappie Fishing Guide Baits Lures Techniques.webp

Black Crappie

White Crappie Fishing Guide Baits Lures Techniques.webp

White Crappie

Channel Catfish Fishing Guide Baits Lures Techniques.webp

Channel Catfish

Walleye Fishing Guide Baits Lures Techniques

Walleye

Rainbow Trout Fishing

Fish Spots & Tips

  • Where to Fish for Rainbow Trout:
    Center of the lake offers deeper, cooler waters in the center of the lake are ideal for catching Rainbow Trout. You can reach these areas by casting from the fishing docks or using a small boat if allowed.
  • Rainbow Trout Fishing Tips:
    Suspend these baits on the right at different depths with a bobber.
  • Baits: PowerBait, worms, and small minnows
  • Lures: Spinners, spoons, and small jigs
  • Tackle: Light to medium spinning gear with 4-6 lb test line

Baits & Lures

Berkley Gulp! Corn

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Berkley PowerBait Power Honey Worm

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Pautzke Balls O’ Fire Salmon Eggs

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Berkley PowerBait Natural Cheese Scent

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Berkley Gulp! Trout Nuggets Dough Bait

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Bass Fishing

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Fish Spots & Tips

  • Where to Fish for Bass:
    Fishing along the shoreline and inlets is great for catching Bass. Look for spots with vegetation, fallen branches, and rocks where these fish like to hide.
  • Bass Fishing Tips:
    Bass thrive in warmer waters and are most active during the spring and summer
  • Baits: Live shad, crayfish, and plastic worms
  • Lures: Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures
  • Tackle: Medium to heavy spinning or baitcasting gear with 8-12 lb test line

Baits & Lures

TRUSCEND Pre-Rigged Soft Fishing Lures

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Gary Yamamoto Senko Soft Plastic Worms

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SteelShad Lipless Crankbait

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TRUSCEND Swimming Jigging Fishing Spinners

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Bass Drop Shot Rigs

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SunFish Fishing

Fish Spots & Tips

  • Where to Fish for Sunfish:
    Sunfish are commonly found in the shallow areas of the lake, especially around docks and vegetation.
  • Sunfish Fishing Tips:
    They are active throughout the day, particularly in the summer.
  • Baits: Worms, crickets, and small pieces of bread
  • Lures: Tiny jigs and small spinners
  • Tackle: Ultra-light spinning gear with 2-4 lb test line

Baits & Lures

Berkley Powerbait Panfish Nibbles Fishing Bait

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Berkley Gulp! Maggot 

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Berkley Gulp! Killer Crawler Fishing Soft Bait

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Berkley Berkley PowerBait Power Honey Worm

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YUM Ribbontail Grub Curly Tail Swim Fishing Lure

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CatFish Fishing

Fish Spots & Tips

  • Where to Fish for Catfish:
    Channel Catfish are bottom dwellers and can be found in the deeper, murkier parts of the lake.
  • Catfish Fishing Tips:
    Catfish are popular among night anglers. They are most active after sunset.
  • Baits: Stink bait, chicken liver, and cut bait
  • Lures: Not commonly used, as they prefer natural baits
  • Tackle: Medium to heavy spinning or baitcasting gear with 12-20 lb test line

Baits & Lures

Wild Cat Pre-Molded Catfish Bait

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Catfish Charlie Dip Bait Cheese

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Wild Cat Blood Dip Bait

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Berkley PowerBait Catfish Bait Chunks Fishing Dough

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Pro-Cure Catfish Magic Chicken Liver Cure

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Gear & Tackle

HOOK-EZE Fishing Hook Knot Tying Tool

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ACX Fish Lip Gripper Pliers

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PLUSINNO Floating Fishing Net

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Fishing Rod Combos with Telescopic Fishing Pole

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KastKing Tactical Fishing Sling Tackle Storage Bag

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KastKing Fishing Lure Wraps

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Piscifun Fishing Line Winder Spooler Machine

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KastKing Mountain Mist Fishing Gloves

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Eagle Claw E.C. Fresh Water Tackle Kit

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TOPFORT 187/343pcs Fishing Accessories Kit

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Columbia Unisex Pfg Fish Flag Mesh Snap Back

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TOREGE Sports Polarized Sunglasses

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Booms Fishing R2 Hook Remover Squeeze

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iBobber portable fish depth finder

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Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops Folding Knife

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HOOK-EZE Fishing Hook Knot Tying Tool

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Shakespeare Catch More Fish Panfish Tackle Box Kit

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Shakespeare Catch More Fish Catfish Tackle Box Kit

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PLUSINNO Bass Fishing Lures Baits Tackle

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PLUSINNO Fishing Lures Baits Tackle

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Crappie Magnet Tackle Pack Kit

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TOPFORT 187/343pcs Fishing Accessories Kit

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Harmony Fishing Bass Razor Weedless Hooks

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Panfish Magnet Kit

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Fishing Hooks Bobbers Freshwater Tackle Kit

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PLUSINNO 264/397pcs Fishing Accessories Kit

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Eagle Claw E.C. Fresh Water Tackle Kit

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Eagle Claw Trout Fishing Kit

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Shakespeare Kids Hide-A-Hook Bobber

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Smaky Fishing Tackle Kit

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HOOK-EZE Fishing Hook Knot Tying Tool

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ACX Fish Lip Gripper Pliers

Purchase on Amazon →

PLUSINNO Floating Fishing Net

Purchase on Amazon →

Fishing Rod Combos with Telescopic Fishing Pole

Purchase on Amazon →

KastKing Tactical Fishing Sling Tackle Storage Bag

Purchase on Amazon →

KastKing Fishing Lure Wraps

Purchase on Amazon →

Piscifun Fishing Line Winder Spooler Machine

Purchase on Amazon →

KastKing Mountain Mist Fishing Gloves

Purchase on Amazon →

Eagle Claw E.C. Fresh Water Tackle Kit

Purchase on Amazon →

TOPFORT 187/343pcs Fishing Accessories Kit

Purchase on Amazon →

Columbia Unisex Pfg Fish Flag Mesh Snap Back

Purchase on Amazon →

TOREGE Sports Polarized Sunglasses

Purchase on Amazon →

iBobber portable fish depth finder

Purchase on Amazon →

Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops Folding Knife

Purchase on Amazon →

Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops Folding Knife

Purchase on Amazon →

HOOK-EZE Fishing Hook Knot Tying Tool

Purchase on Amazon →

ACX Fish Lip Gripper Pliers

Purchase on Amazon →

PLUSINNO Floating Fishing Net

Purchase on Amazon →

Fishing Rod Combos with Telescopic Fishing Pole

Purchase on Amazon →

KastKing Tactical Fishing Sling Tackle Storage Bag

Purchase on Amazon →

KastKing Fishing Lure Wraps

Purchase on Amazon →

Piscifun Fishing Line Winder Spooler Machine

Purchase on Amazon →

KastKing Mountain Mist Fishing Gloves

Purchase on Amazon →

Eagle Claw E.C. Fresh Water Tackle Kit

Purchase on Amazon →

TOPFORT 187/343pcs Fishing Accessories Kit

Purchase on Amazon →

Columbia Unisex Pfg Fish Flag Mesh Snap Back

Purchase on Amazon →

TOREGE Sports Polarized Sunglasses

Purchase on Amazon →

TOREGE Sports Polarized Sunglasses

Purchase on Amazon →

TOREGE Sports Polarized Sunglasses

Purchase on Amazon →

TOREGE Sports Polarized Sunglasses

Purchase on Amazon →

HOOK-EZE Fishing Hook Knot Tying Tool

Purchase on Amazon →

ACX Fish Lip Gripper Pliers

Purchase on Amazon →

PLUSINNO Floating Fishing Net

Purchase on Amazon →

Fishing Rod Combos with Telescopic Fishing Pole

Purchase on Amazon →

KastKing Tactical Fishing Sling Tackle Storage Bag

Purchase on Amazon →

KastKing Fishing Lure Wraps

Purchase on Amazon →

Piscifun Fishing Line Winder Spooler Machine

Purchase on Amazon →

KastKing Mountain Mist Fishing Gloves

Purchase on Amazon →

Eagle Claw E.C. Fresh Water Tackle Kit

Purchase on Amazon →

TOPFORT 187/343pcs Fishing Accessories Kit

Purchase on Amazon →

Columbia Unisex Pfg Fish Flag Mesh Snap Back

Purchase on Amazon →

TOREGE Sports Polarized Sunglasses

Purchase on Amazon →

TOREGE Sports Polarized Sunglasses

Purchase on Amazon →

iBobber portable fish depth finder

Purchase on Amazon →

Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops Folding Knife

Purchase on Amazon →

Directions

FAQs

You can catch all kinds of fish at Apache Lake, like largemouth and smallmouth bass, yellow bass, crappie, sunfish, catfish, walleye, and carp. It’s a great place for lots of fishing fun!

Yes, everyone 10 years and older needs a valid Arizona fishing license to fish at Apache Lake. You can buy one online or at local stores.

You can fish from the shore or a boat. There are plenty of spots around the lake for both, so it’s up to you!

Spring and fall are usually the best times to go fishing here. The weather’s nice, and the fish are more active and easier to catch.

Yes! Apache Lake Marina and Resort has motel rooms, RV sites, and campgrounds. So whether you’re glamping or roughing it, you’ve got options!

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