Lake Pleasant
AZ · Yavapai
- No recent stocking record
- 9,186 acres mapped (USGS NHD)
- 105 miles of shoreline
The pin marks the middle of the water, for directions. The shoreline on the map comes from USGS NHD.
At a glance
- Acres
- 9,186 acres
- Shoreline
- 105 miles of shoreline
- County
- Yavapai County
Conditions
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Overview
Lake Pleasant sits northwest of Phoenix on the line between Maricopa and Yavapai counties, inside Lake Pleasant Regional Park, which Maricopa County Parks runs within the city limits of Peoria. The reservoir covers roughly 10,000 acres. It began life in 1927 behind Carl Pleasant Dam, then the world's largest multiple-arch dam, and was enlarged enormously when New Waddell Dam was finished in 1994, tripling the lake's surface and drowning the old dam. Central Arizona Project canal water, not just the Agua Fria River, now keeps it full.
Fishing
This is a big, mixed warmwater fishery. Black and white crappie, bluegill, redear and green sunfish, largemouth, smallmouth, white and striped bass, channel and flathead catfish, common carp and tilapia are all on the Wikipedia species list, with threadfin shad providing forage.
Species notes
Bass (largemouth, smallmouth, white, striped), crappie (black, white), bluegill, redear and green sunfish, channel and flathead catfish, common carp, tilapia, and threadfin shad as forage.
Regulations
Arizona Game and Fish Department regulations apply: https://www.azgfd.com/fishing-2/licenses-and-regulations/. Confirm statewide limits and any special rules for this water before you fish; this page is not a legal source.
Licensing
An Arizona fishing license is required; check AZGFD for current license rules and fees.
Access
Lake Pleasant Regional Park is run by Maricopa County Parks and Recreation. Boat docks and beach areas are spread around the lake.
Amenities
Boat docks, beach access and county-park facilities.
Activities
Fishing, boating, scuba diving, water skiing, jet skiing, sailing and windsurfing.
Water facts
About 10,000 acres. Original Carl Pleasant Dam completed 1927; New Waddell Dam completed 1994. Fed by the Agua Fria River and the Central Arizona Project canal. Straddles Maricopa and Yavapai counties.
Safety & advisories
Authorities have periodically urged caution on this lake because of its deep water and because carbon monoxide can build up around heavy boat traffic.
Starter gear
A 5.5 to 7 foot light to medium-light spinning or spincast rod and matching reel, spooled with 6 lb monofilament. Spincast is easiest for beginners, and a 4 to 5 foot rod suits small kids. Carry size 6 to 10 hooks, a few split shot (pinched on 4 to 8 inches above the hook), small bobbers, a couple of small spinners and jigs, and worms. Learn the improved clinch knot and the palomar knot.
Light line casts farther and draws more strikes. Heavier line and stiffer rods are for bigger fish, heavy cover or sharp teeth, not for everyday fishing.
Likely species (watershed)
Fathead Minnow, Golden Shiner, Longfin Dace, Mosquitofish, Speckled Dace
Likely species come from USGS Aquatic GAP ranges for the whole watershed (HUC8). They show what may be here, not a count of this water.
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More in Yavapai
Park/lake info: AZGFD and land managers where cited. Background: Wikipedia contributors. Regulations and stocking schedules: AZGFD.
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Some stocking records are adapted from LurePassion (formerly lurepassion.com) (normalized and matched to our waters), licensed CC BY 4.0. State agencies retain their own terms for the underlying records.