LAKE PLEASANT

REGIONAL PARK
Fishing

With the building of the main dam and the completion of the diversion dam with reinforced concrete to form the lower lake, the State Game and Fish Commission began to plant fish in the lake. Prior to 1927 residents of the northwestern part of the Salt River Valley were catching catfish at Frog Tanks. Between 1930 and 1932 a plant of bass was made. Beginning in 1935 records of the department show periodic plants of bass, blue gill and other warm water fish in Lake Pleasant and the lower lake.

To date Lake Pleasant is home to 8 species of fish, White Bass, Striped Bass, Large Mouth Bass, Bluegill, White Crappie, Black Crappie, Bigmouth Buffalo Fish, and Tilapia.

White Bass are a non-native fish found only in Imperial Reservoir on the Colorado River and Lake Pleasant. Effective lures for White Bass are spinners, jigs, spoons, and shad type crank baits. The meat of white bass is white, firm, flaky and good to eat.

Striped Bass can reach a weight of over 59 pounds. This non-native fish introduced in 1959 is found throughout the Colorado River between Lake Powell and the Mexican border and most recently in Lake Pleasant. Effective lures are spoons, plugs, jigs, crankbaits, and streamer flies or try shad or anchovies. The meat of the striped bass is white, firm, flaky and excellent eating.

Largemouth Bass, first introduced in 1897, are named for their very large mouth. In adults the upper jaw may extend beyond the rear margin of the eye. The largemouth is a warm water fish that prefers clear water with structure and cover. Like all bass the largemouth is carnivorous and will eat anything that moves. Largemouth can be caught on a variety of baits, both natural and artificial. Largemouth bass meat is also white, firm and flaky, but has a mild taste.

Bluegill is also a non-native species that was first introduced to Arizona in 1932. Bluegill are found in most reservoirs below 4,000 feet elevation. Worms are a popular bait, but also try small poppers, flies, small spinners and jigs. In 1998 the bluegill "Big Fish-of-the Year", according to Arizona Game and Fish, was caught at Lake Pleasant. The bluegill weighed in at 12.48 ounces and measured in at 10.13 inches. The meat of bluegill is white, flaky, firm, and sweet. Many consider the bluegill to be the best tasting freshwater fish around.

Lake Pleasant is the only lake where White Crappie are occasionally caught. This non-native species was first introduced to Arizona in 1903. Effective bait and lures are minnows, small jigs, silver spoons, spinners, and flies fished along the shorelines. In 1997 the white crappie "Big fish-of-the-Year", according to Arizona Game and Fish, was caught at Lake Pleasant. The crappie weighed in at 1 pound 10.88 ounces and measured 15.13 inches. The meat of the White Crappie is white and fine textured.

Black Crappie are far more abundant than the white crappie. This non-native species was introduced into Arizona in 1905. Effective bait and lures are the same as the White Crappie. The meat of the white crappie is also white and fine textured. In 1995 the black crappie "Big Fish-of-the-Year", according to Arizona Game and Fish, was caught at Lake Pleasant. This crappie weighed in at 2 pounds and measured 15 inches.

Tilapia is an exotic fish from Africa. This fish, first introduced in the 1960's, can be found in the Salt and Gila rivers and isolated populations in Alamo Lake, Lake Pleasant, and Roper Lake. Fishing for the Tilapia should be done during warmer month using worms, crickets, or dough balls. The meat is a white, fine textured meat with a very mild flavor.

A valid Arizona Fishing License is required to fish at Lake Pleasant.