Apache Lake

Lake fishing Arizona · 06:37 - 20:25

Apache Lake is a lake in Arizona. Anglers here fish mainly for Bluegill, Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass.

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Good 65% The bite right now

Top bet: Bluegill Active through the day, water near its preferred 28 degrees.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow

74%

107°

Mon

74%

105°

Tue

74%

96°

Wed

77%

94°

Best day

Thu

74%

97°

Fri

76%

97°

The bite over the next days, scored at dusk. Based on the weather forecast, so it is guidance, not guarantees.

Conditions right now

Weather

Partly cloudy

Water temp (est.)

83°F

Air temp

88°F

Wind

4 mph

Pressure

29.93 inHg → stable

Clouds

74.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Updated 2026-08-01 16:58

Best times today

Dawn 05:52–07:52 Day 07:52–19:10 Dusk 19:10–21:10

Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.

Feeding times today

Waning gibbous 91% lit

Major period 02:39–04:39 Major period 14:39–16:39 Minor period 21:05–22:35 Minor period 08:43–10:13

Solunar times are a traditional guide based on the moon's position, separate from the live ranking above. Local time at the spot.

Next hours

08:00

88°

09:00

93°

10:00

96°

11:00

99°

12:00

101°

13:00

103°

14:00

105°

15:00

106°

16:00

107°

17:00

107°

18:00

106°

19:00

105°

Likely catch now (10 species)

Bluegill

Lepomis macrochirus

65%

Active through the day, water near its preferred 28 degrees.

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Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

40%

Water near its preferred 28 degrees, overcast lifts the bite.

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Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

36%

Average conditions right now.

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Flathead Catfish

Pylodictis olivaris

30%

Slow during the day, water near its preferred 28 degrees, peak season.

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Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

29%

Slow during the day, water near its preferred 28 degrees, peak season.

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Blue Catfish

Ictalurus furcatus

28%

Slow during the day, water near its preferred 28 degrees, peak season.

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About the fishing here

Popular catches here include Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Flathead Catfish, Channel Catfish and Blue Catfish.

Bluegill fishing is usually best around May-Jul. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Napp ranks the species above from the live weather, water temperature, season and time of day, so the order changes through the day.

Guides for this water

Tips right now

Technique Start with a float bait for bluegill, the most likely catch right now.

Timing This is a prime window for bluegill at the day. Fish hard now.

Lure Float bait for bluegill: Worm under a float.

Colour Clear water and good light: try natural bait, small earth tones for bluegill.

Depth The water temperature suits the fish. Fish actively at normal depths and edges.

Fishing permit

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Licenses are issued by each state:

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About this water

Apache Lake is one of four reservoirs built along the Salt River in central Arizona as part of the Salt River Project.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Map

More waters nearby

Theodore Roosevelt Lake Arizona · 10.0 mi away Bartlett Reservoir Arizona · 27.5 mi away Horseshoe Reservoir Arizona · 38.3 mi away Chaparral Lake Arizona · 38.4 mi away Road Basin Tank Arizona · 50.5 mi away Long Creek Tank Arizona · 52.5 mi away Bear Canyon Lake Arizona · 55.6 mi away Fool Hollow Lake Arizona · 81.7 mi away

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Apache Lake?

Popular catches here include Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Flathead Catfish, Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, Common Carp and White Bass.

Do you need a fishing license at Apache Lake?

Yes. A state fishing license is required; see the link on this page for the state's rules.

When is the best time to fish Apache Lake?

Bluegill fishing is usually best around May-Jul. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

What is biting at Apache Lake right now?

Right now Bluegill is the most likely catch, at about 52%.