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Arizona · Fishing
Roosevelt, Arizona sits at the edge of Theodore Roosevelt Lake, the largest body of water in the Arizona state park system and one of the more productive warm-water fisheries in the Southwest.
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Roosevelt, Arizona sits at the edge of Theodore Roosevelt Lake, the largest body of water in the Arizona state park system and one of the more productive warm-water fisheries in the Southwest. The lake is a reservoir on the Salt River, and its fluctuating water levels, submerged structure, and warm desert climate create solid habitat for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, crappie, and catfish year-round. Most anglers fishing out of Roosevelt access the water through one of several developed sites along the shoreline — Schoolhouse Campground, Windy Hill Campground, and Frazier Group Campground all offer lake fishing access and are spread across different sections of the reservoir, so you have options depending on where the fish are running. The lake covers a lot of ground, and conditions can vary significantly between the upper arms near the Salt and Tonto river inflows and the main body closer to the dam. If you're camping and fishing over multiple days, positioning yourself at the right campground for your target species makes a real difference. This is not a technical fly-fishing destination — it's a reservoir fishery that rewards anglers who understand structure, depth, and seasonal water temperature.
The lake holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, white bass, crappie, carp, and channel catfish. Bass fishing is what draws most visiting anglers, but crappie and catfish action around the campground areas can be strong, especially in spring and early summer.
Spring (March through May) is generally the most productive season, when bass move shallow to spawn and crappie stack up near structure. Fall is a close second. Summer fishing is possible but the heat is intense — most serious anglers are on the water before 8 a.m. and off by midday from June through August.
Schoolhouse Campground
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Burnt Corral Campground
~16 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Cholla Campground
~18 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Windy Hill Campground
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Woods Canyon Lake Group
~1h 20m drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Christmas Recreation Site
~1h 17m drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Frazier Group Campground
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Spillway
~1h 21m drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Willow Springs Lake Fishing and Boating Site
~1h 18m drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Crook Campground
~1h 19m drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Canyon Point
~1h 22m drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Shores Recreation Site
~1h 21m drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Also worth it near here
Shore fishing is viable at Schoolhouse Campground, Windy Hill Campground, and Frazier Group Campground, all of which sit on the lake. That said, a boat or kayak opens up significantly more water and lets you work submerged structure that shore anglers can't reach. A small kayak is a practical option if you don't have a trailered boat.
You need a valid Arizona fishing license, available through the Arizona Game and Fish Department online or at local retailers. If you plan to keep striped bass, check current AZGFD regulations before your trip, as rules on size and bag limits can be updated seasonally.
Yes, particularly for anyone targeting catfish or crappie from the campground shorelines, which requires minimal gear and technique. Bass fishing on the main lake has a steeper learning curve because reading structure and adjusting to the reservoir's changing water levels matters more here than on a natural lake.
