Horseshoe Reservoir

Lake fishing Arizona · 06:38 - 20:28

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

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Good 61% The bite right now

Top bet: Bluegill Active through the day, water near its preferred 29 degrees.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow

74%

112°

Mon

74%

110°

Tue

74%

102°

Wed

75%

100°

Thu

76%

100°

Best day

Fri

75%

101°

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.)

84°F

Air temp

93°F

Wind

4 mph

Pressure

29.92 inHg ↓ falling

Clouds

80.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Updated 2026-08-01 17:03

Best times today

Dawn 05:53–07:53 Day 07:53–19:13 Dusk 19:13–21:13

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

Feeding times today

Waning gibbous 91% lit

Major period 02:41–04:41 Major period 14:41–16:41 Minor period 21:08–22:38 Minor period 08:44–10:14

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

09:00

93°

10:00

97°

11:00

101°

12:00

103°

13:00

106°

14:00

109°

15:00

110°

16:00

111°

17:00

112°

18:00

111°

19:00

110°

20:00

109°

Likely catch now (11 species)

Bluegill

Lepomis macrochirus

61%

Active through the day, water near its preferred 29 degrees.

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Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

43%

Water near its preferred 29 degrees, overcast lifts the bite.

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Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

37%

Falling pressure ahead of weather.

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Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

31%

Slow during the day, water near its preferred 29 degrees, peak season, falling pressure ahead of weather.

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Blue Catfish

Ictalurus furcatus

30%

Slow during the day, water near its preferred 29 degrees, peak season, falling pressure ahead of weather.

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Flathead Catfish

Pylodictis olivaris

28%

Slow during the day, water near its preferred 29 degrees, peak season.

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About the fishing here

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

Horseshoe Lake is a reservoir that was formed by the Horseshoe Dam on the Verde River in the U.S. state of Arizona. The lake and dam are located inside the Tonto National Forest is located upstream and north of Bartlett Lake. The dam is managed by the Salt River Project.

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Map

More waters nearby

Bartlett Reservoir Arizona · 11.7 mi away Long Creek Tank Arizona · 18.0 mi away Road Basin Tank Arizona · 19.7 mi away Chaparral Lake Arizona · 36.7 mi away Apache Lake Arizona · 38.3 mi away Theodore Roosevelt Lake Arizona · 41.3 mi away Bear Canyon Lake Arizona · 48.5 mi away JD Dam Lake Arizona · 74.4 mi away

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Horseshoe Reservoir?

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

Do you need a fishing license at Horseshoe Reservoir?

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 Horseshoe Reservoir?

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

What is biting at Horseshoe Reservoir right now?

Right now Bluegill is the most likely catch, at about 45%.