Phoenix Fishing.com Central Arizona Fishing Resource for Everyone

Saguaro Lake, AZ

Contact
Tonto National Forest
2324 E Mcdowell Road
Phoenix, AZ 85006
602-225-5200

Saguaro Lake

Brown Trout:	No report
Channel Catfish:	Waterdogs, Stinkbait, Nightcrawlers
Crappie:	Minnows, Jigs
Largemouth Bass:	Crankbaits, Lizards, Jigs, Nightcrawlers
Perch:	No report
Rainbow Trout:	Minnows, Power Bait, Worms
Walleye:	Crankbaits, Spoons, Minnows
Yellow Bass:	Jigs, Spoons, Minnows

Any size motor
No Ramp

Average Acreage - 1100 acres
Average Depth - 90 ft.
Elevation - 1600 ft.

41 miles from downtown Phoenix

Salt River lake closest to Phoenix.
Saguaro del Norte Recreation site is near the dam
and includes the Saguaro Lake Marina
(which includes a restaurant and boat concession)
a Maricopa County Sheriff's aid station,
picnic tables, restrooms and boat ramps.

Butcher Jones Beach
a few miles north of Saguaro del Norte,
features swimming, picnic and restroom facilities.

Bagley Flat Campground (30 spaces)
is about four miles from the dam
and is accessible only by boat.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department stocks all of the SRP lakes with fish. There generally are good supplies of walleye, largemouth and yellow bass, rainbow and brown trout, bluegills, channel catfish, and crappie in Saguaro.

Saguaro Lake Accessibility:

There are facilities at the lake, hilly but with some nice areas to fish from shore. This lake is well worth the trip if you live in Tucson or Southern Arizona.

The area is remote and rough enough that we would recommend assistance.

PLEASANT & SAGUARO PATROLS:
May 19, 2003
Game and Fish officers conducting boat patrols at lakes Pleasant and Saguaro checked 488 anglers and 414 boats, writing 85 fishing and 49 boating citations. Two operating under the influence (OUI) boaters were arrested: one on Saguaro Lake and one on Lake Pleasant. One person was arrested on a felony warrant. One personal watercraft was seized.

Inland Waters -- Hook and Line (Revised 8/2/02)
Tilapia	Tim Alan Schoenecker, Gilbert	7 lb. 8.8 oz.	20.0 in.	Saguaro Lake	3/31/02
Inland Waters -- Non-Hook and Line (Revised 7/1/02)
Buffalo, Bigmouth (archery)	Michael T. Young, Mesa	39 lb. 8.0 oz.	41.5 in.	Saguaro Lake	3/28/90
Tilapia (spear)	Stephen E. Hayes, Tucson	7 lb. 1oz.	19.13 in.	Saguaro Lake	10/14/00

Saguaro Lake

41 miles from downtown Phoenix
Salt River lake closest to Phoenix
Bush Highway north from U.S. Highway 60
to the Saguaro del Norte Recreation Site turnoff.

or Beeline Highway (State Route 87)
from either the McDowell Road turnoff in Mesa
or from Shea Boulevard near Fountain Hills.

About eight miles after crossing the Verde River,
turn right at signs indicating the
Saguaro Lake Recreation Area.

From Mesa, exit US 60 at Bush Highway.
Travel north 7 miles to Granite Reef Dam.

From Payson travel south on 87 about 60 miles
and turn left on the Bush Highway (FR 204).
Travel past the Saguaro Lake Marina Road to the stocking sites.
Follow the signs to Granite Reef, Phon D. Sutton,
Blue Point Bridge and Water Users.

Satellite photo of Saguaro Lake, AZ
on the way

Contact
Tonto National Forest
2324 E Mcdowell Road
Phoenix, AZ 85006
602-225-5200