Best Small Boat Lakes around Phoenix, AZ?

MacHammer · November 10, 2019, 10:49:21 AM

Help!

Now that I have my 9' Pond Prowler, I'm looking for a good lake near me for my son and I to fish. Yesterday, we went to Canyon Lake Reservoir and the chop was bouncing us around until we were able to find a cove protected from the wind near the marina. Unfortunately, that cove was kayak only and we were chased out by a friendly game warden who was kind enough to educate rather than ticket. We were using my trolling motor and that isn't allowed.

Most of the reservoir lakes are fairly big with wide open areas that need to be crossed before you can get into a cove.

Where are the best lakes for the tiny boats to go? What are the best ramps to use? I currently have a 30# Trolling Motor and I'm pretty sure that's going to have to get bigger if we are going to survive the open water.

We live in Chandler, so I'm hoping to find a place on the East side of town. What are your thoughts?

Thank you!

Mac Hammer

Lipripper · November 10, 2019, 11:36:11 AM

That's a bummer Mac. You ever look on Google earth or any map sight that shows you a satellite view of your area then start looking for water. Heck I use my weather station map it works pretty good for locating bodies of water. Then I will get in my car and go scouting to check them out. When the nice game warden chased you off I would of asked him for some spots. He should know places or if you have any bait shops around stop by them and ask around they should know of some also.

MacHammer · November 10, 2019, 11:52:37 AM

Quote from: Lipripper on November 10, 2019, 11:36:11 AM
That's a bummer Mac. You ever look on Google earth or any map sight that shows you a satellite view of your area then start looking for water. Heck I use my weather station map it works pretty good for locating bodies of water. Then I will get in my car and go scouting to check them out. When the nice game warden chased you off I would of asked him for some spots. He should know places or if you have any bait shops around stop by them and ask around they should know of some also.

The warden was kind enough to point out some spots on Canyon lake. My battery was nearly dead so we didn't scope them out right away. We were lucky to make it back to the ramp. While the spots he told us about where great for getting out of the wind, he also told us that the fishing sucked. Steep canyon walls with little cover for fish. Narrow enough to prevent the big boats from getting in. Sounds like a pleasure cruise rather than a fishing trip, tho.

I found this site: https://www.azbw.com/arizona-lakes/

It lists almost every body of water, but no guide for small boats. Hoping to find some experience small boaters to point us in the right direction.

Thank you!

Mac Hammer

apenland01 · November 10, 2019, 05:05:20 PM

You may want to check out some of the urban lakes, like Tempe Town Lake and see how that goes. There are a few decent fish being taken out of some of the urban lakes.

Otherwise, Bartlett might give you some tuck aways that aren't horribly far from the ramp. Bartlett is on the East side, North on the 101 to Pima Rd exit and then about 30 minutes from there. Roosevelt gets a lot of action from kayaks/small boats with some tuck aways, depending on wind direction. It's about an hour and a half from the East side of Phoenix.

Unfortunately, we have a lot of flat combined with a lot of wind, so your best bet is to check weather before heading out.

MacHammer · November 11, 2019, 09:00:36 PM

What a difference two days can make. We went out today and the wind was down and th lake was like glass. Much easier fishing. Those who know Canyon Lake know the cove under the first bridge. We made it there and fished for a couple of hours before traveling back to the ramp. It was much smoother sailing.

Not I just need to install a weather station out there so I can know the wind before driving an hour to find out.

Lipripper · November 12, 2019, 07:39:22 AM

Quote from: MacHammer on November 11, 2019, 09:00:36 PM
What a difference two days can make. We went out today and the wind was down and th lake was like glass. Much easier fishing. Those who know Canyon Lake know the cove under the first bridge. We made it there and fished for a couple of hours before traveling back to the ramp. It was much smoother sailing.

Not I just need to install a weather station out there so I can know the wind before driving an hour to find out.

So did you find any hungry fish or were they playing hard to get.

MacHammer · November 12, 2019, 12:49:49 PM

Quote from: Lipripper on November 12, 2019, 07:39:22 AM
So did you find any hungry fish or were they playing hard to get.

They were coy, shy, and missing. But, we learned more about the lake.

I keep telling my son to cast at that spot over there. An Illinois bass would be hiding there. Apparently, Arizona bass are different because they aren't hiding in the same spots.

Lipripper · November 12, 2019, 01:29:53 PM

Quote from: MacHammer on November 12, 2019, 12:49:49 PM
They were coy, shy, and missing. But, we learned more about the lake.

I keep telling my son to cast at that spot over there. An Illinois bass would be hiding there. Apparently, Arizona bass are different because they aren't hiding in the same spots.

Maybe they were all at the Veterans Day Parade .

Lipripper · November 12, 2019, 01:32:37 PM

OH I almost forgot

welcome to the club.

MacHammer · November 13, 2019, 03:20:27 PM

Quote from: Lipripper on November 12, 2019, 01:32:37 PM
OH I almost forgot welcome to the club.

Oh, I've earned this award many times! We had a great day of casting. We will try fishing next time. After that, we will try catching!

I upped the size of my trolling motor today! Found a lightly used Minn Kota C2 Endura 55 for...wait for it...

$75.

By my calculations, that leaves me a spare $185 to buy a fish finder!

Mac

MacHammer · December 10, 2019, 09:53:13 AM

An update...

My son and I went back out to Canyon. I upgraded my trolling motor so we are moving across the water a little faster. We put in at Palo Verde Launch and headed east past the marina and the campground to beyond the eastern boat launch which is currently closed.

My new Garmin found a lot of fish that we didn't catch, but there are several finger coves and an entrance to a creek that looked like prime bass country. We didn't catch anything, but the water was good and we weren't being blown around in the chop.

This could become a favorite spot once the east ramp is reopened. We fished a little too long and the battery was below 12 when we started back for Palo Verde. There was a new Tacoma parked at the ramp, so rather than risk the trip back to PV, my son approached the driver and asked if we could hitch a ride down to PV to pick up my truck. He obliged and on the way, I learned that he is a Project Manager for SRP. They have closed the ramp for a project that should wrap up by March. He expected that ramp would be open sometime in March.