Roosevelt Lake in Gila, Arizona For Fishing & Camping

Fish Species

• Carp
• Catfish (Channel)
• Catfish (Flathead)
• Crappie
• Largemouth Bass
• Smallmouth Bass
• Sunfish

Theodore Roosevelt Lake, usually called the Roosevelt Lake, is roughly 80 miles northeast of Phoenix in the Salt River Valley. It is the largest lake or reservoir located entirely within the state of Arizona.

The lake is over 249 feet in depth and covers much of the southern portion of the Tonto Basin, a low lying area between the Sierra Ancha Mountains and the Superstition Mountains.

Fishing is a common recreational activity at Roosevelt Lake. The lake is home to a variety of game fish including crappie, carp, catfish, flathead, channel catfish, small mouth and largemouth bass. There is a slot size limit for the bass, only one bass, measuring between 13 to16 inches, can be taken per day. Until recently, Roosevelt Lake hosted the state's most significant population of the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher. Since the lake's rise following heavy rains in the winters of the last five years, the population between the site and other significant populations is unclear.

There are several Arizona trailheads in the vicinity. The 800 mile long hiking trail, extending from the Arizona-Mexico border to Utah crosses the Salt River on the State Route 188 bridge that crosses Theodore Roosevelt Lake just northeast of the Roosevelt Dam.

Camping is allowed at Roosevelt Lake. It also has a parking area, trailer spaces and a boat launch area. Swimming and other activities make Roosevelt Lake one of the most fun of the six reservoirs constructed and operated by the Salt River Project.

Average Depth: 110ft.
Elevation: 2,200ft.