Rod and Reel fishing AZ - Phoenix Lake Guide
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Halfday guided fishing trips on three premier Phoenixarea lakesTarget largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, and multiple speciesSmall group experience accommodating up to two guests maximum
Phoenix might be known for desert landscapes, but ask any serious angler and they'll tell you the real action happens on our lakes. This half-day fishing trip takes you to three of Arizona's top-rated bass and catfish destinations: Bartlett Lake, Saguaro Lake, and our home waters at Lake Pleasant. With 2,815 acres of prime fishing real estate at Bartlett alone, you're looking at some of the most productive waters in the Southwest. Whether you're chasing your personal best largemouth or just want to feel that rod bend with a solid fish, this guided experience puts you right where the fish are biting.
Your morning starts early – that's when the fish are most active and the desert heat hasn't kicked in yet. We'll meet at the boat launch and get you set up with everything you need for a successful day. The beauty of fishing these three lakes is the variety. Bartlett gives us those deep structure drops where bass love to ambush prey, while Saguaro's crystal-clear waters let you sight fish in the shallows. Lake Pleasant, being our home lake, means we know every productive spot, from the river channels to the rocky points that hold fish year-round. You'll spend about 4-5 hours on the water with just you and one other angler, so there's plenty of room to cast and no fighting over the best spots. The scenery doesn't hurt either – nothing beats watching the sunrise paint those canyon walls while you're waiting for a strike.
We run multiple rod setups to maximize your chances, switching techniques based on what the fish are telling us. Early morning usually means topwater action with poppers and buzzbaits – there's nothing like seeing a bass explode on a surface lure in that glassy morning water. As the sun comes up, we'll switch to Texas-rigged plastics, crankbaits, and jigs to work the structure. For catfish, we'll have bottom rigs ready with fresh bait, especially during the warmer months when they're really active. The boat stays equipped with quality spinning and baitcasting setups, but feel free to bring your own rod if you've got a lucky stick. We provide all tackle, bait, and terminal gear, plus we'll have a cooler with ice and water to keep you comfortable. The key to success on these desert lakes is staying mobile and reading the water – some days they want fast-moving baits, other days you need to slow down and finesse them.
Largemouth Bass are the crown jewel of Arizona lake fishing, and our waters produce some real tanks. These fish grow fat on shad and bluegill, with 3-5 pounders being common and fish over 6 pounds always a possibility. Spring and fall are prime time when they're feeding heavy, but even summer mornings can produce explosive topwater action. They love rocky points, submerged trees, and creek channels – exactly what these lakes offer in spades.
Smallmouth Bass might be the hardest fighting fish per pound you'll encounter here. Lake Pleasant especially holds some beautiful bronze-backs that fight like fish twice their size. They prefer rocky areas and will absolutely hammer a crayfish-pattern jig. Most run 1-3 pounds, but their acrobatic fights make every catch memorable. Summer is peak season when they're shallow and aggressive.
Crappie fishing can be lights-out good, especially during their spring spawn when they stack up in the shallows. Saguaro Lake produces some slab crappie that'll make your day, often running 12-14 inches. They school up tight, so when you find one, you've usually found a bunch. Small jigs and minnows are the ticket, worked slow around brush piles and rocky structure.
White Bass provide non-stop action when they're running. These schooling fish will hit almost anything you throw at them when they're feeding, making them perfect for keeping kids and new anglers engaged. They typically run 1-2 pounds but make up for size with sheer numbers. Watch for birds diving – that's your cue to get a lure in the water fast.
Flathead Catfish are the monsters lurking in our deeper waters. Lake Pleasant holds some true giants, with fish over 20 pounds caught regularly and specimens pushing 40+ pounds documented. These nocturnal predators love live bait fished near structure. Summer nights are prime time, but we catch them during day trips too. Landing a big flathead on rod and reel is a workout you won't forget.
This half-day trip gives you a real taste of what makes Phoenix area fishing special. You're getting access to three renowned lakes with a guide who knows where the fish live, what they're biting, and how to put you on them. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to learn new waters or someone wanting to experience Arizona fishing at its finest, this trip delivers. The customer favorite combo of bass, crappie, and catfish means there's always something biting, and with just two anglers max, you get the personalized attention that makes the difference between a good day and a great one. Ready to see why local anglers keep these lakes busy year-round? Let's get you on the water and put some fish in the boat.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie are schooling fish that run 7-12 inches and about half a pound to a pound. We've got both black and white crappie in our lakes - the blacks have random speckles while whites show vertical bars. They love hanging around submerged trees, brush piles, and deeper structure in 10-20 feet of water. Spring spawning season is when they really turn on, moving shallow into cover. What guests love about crappie is the numbers - when you find one, there's usually a school. Plus they're hands-down the best eating fish we catch. They bite light, so you need to stay alert. My go-to setup is a small jig under a bobber with live minnows. The key is finding the right depth - start at 12 feet and work up or down until you locate the school.
Pylodictis OlivarisFlathead cats are the giants of our lakes, growing 3-4 feet and often hitting 50-100 pounds. They're ambush predators that prefer deep holes, channel bends, and areas with fallen trees or rock piles. Unlike other catfish, flatheads only eat live prey - they want that bait moving. Summer nights are when they really feed, though we catch them during the day too. What draws people to flathead fishing is the chance at a true monster fish. The meat is superior to other catfish - firmer, whiter, and less muddy tasting. These are serious fish that require heavy tackle and patience. My advice is to use live bluegill or small bass on a sturdy circle hook. Fish the deepest holes you can find and be ready to wait - flatheads don't bite often, but when they do, it's usually a memorable fish.
Micropterus SalmoidesThese are the kings of our local waters, running 12-24 inches and averaging 1-4 pounds. You'll find them hanging around structure like fallen trees, rocky points, and weed beds in 5-15 feet of water. Spring through early summer is prime time when they move shallow to feed and spawn. What makes largemouth special is that big mouth - it extends past their eyes, and they'll hit just about anything that moves. They put up a solid fight with those trademark jumps. The meat's decent too if you want a shore lunch. Here's a local tip: throw a Texas-rigged worm right into the nastiest cover you can find at Bartlett or Pleasant. Most guys fish around structure, but the big bass are buried right in it.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth are the scrappiest fighters we target, averaging 12-16 inches with females reaching 3-6 pounds. They love rocky structure, points, and clear water areas around our lakes. You'll find them in 15-25 feet most of the year, though they move shallow in spring and fall. Summer fishing means going deeper where it's cooler. What sets smallmouth apart is their fight - pound for pound, nothing jumps and battles like they do. Early morning and evening are prime times. The meat's actually quite good, firmer than largemouth with a mild flavor. These fish are visual feeders, so clear water days work best. Try dragging a tube bait or small jig along rocky drop-offs. Keep it slow and subtle - they can be finicky but once you dial in the pattern, you'll catch several.
Morone ChrysopsWhite bass are silver rockets that school up and feed aggressively. They typically run 10-12 inches and weigh around 2-3 pounds, with some bigger ones pushing 7 pounds. Look for them in open water and around points where they chase baitfish to the surface. Spring and fall are your best bets when water temps are moderate. These fish are known for their aggressive strikes and solid fights - they'll pull drag and make good runs. The meat is excellent, white and flaky when cooked right. When you see birds diving on the surface, that's usually white bass pushing shad up from below. Get there fast with small spoons or spinners and cast into the action. They hit hard and often, making for some fast-paced fishing that keeps everyone busy.
Phoenix, AZ