Arizona surprises a lot of anglers because it’s such an arid state. But between warm desert reservoirs and cool high-country lakes, you can chase largemouth and smallmouth bass, striped bass, catfish, crappie, and stocked trout … sometimes all on the same trip. The best fishing spots are spread across the state, from Roosevelt Lake and Lake Havasu to Lake Powell and secluded Riggs Flat Lake. Some are close to Phoenix while others require a drive to cooler northern or mountain waters, and a few are nationally known destinations like Lake Mead and Lake Powell.
That distance is exactly why an RV makes sense here. You can camp right by the water, keep your rods and tackle organized, and move from one lake to the next on your own schedule. If you’re planning a trip, renting an RV in Arizona lets you fish more of the state without booking a different hotel every night. Just check the current regulations and get your license before you cast a line.
Best Places for RV Fishing in Arizona
| Fishing spot | Best for | RV camping experience | Good to know |
| Roosevelt Lake | Largemouth & smallmouth bass | Large lakeside forest campgrounds, mostly dry | Largest lake fully in AZ; ~60 mi northeast of Phoenix |
| Lake Havasu | Smallmouth & striped bass | State park hookups + boat-in shoreline sites | Arguably Arizona’s best smallmouth water |
| Patagonia Lake | Bass, catfish, winter trout | State park sites with hookups near the wate | Quiet southern AZ lake; reserve early |
| Lake Pleasant | White bass, largemouth, catfish | Full- and partial-hookup parks close to Phoenix | Closest big lake to the metro |
| Lake Mead | Striped bass | NPS campgrounds + full-hookup marina villages | First and largest national recreation area in the U.S. |
| Lake Powell | Stripers, smallmouth, walleye | Full-hookup marina RV parks near Page | Five or six species in a single day |
| Riggs Flat Lake | Stocked trout | Small forest campground, no hookups | Remote high country; narrow access road means only rigs under ~22 ft |
Roosevelt Lake
At almost 20,000 acres, Roosevelt Lake in the Tonto National Forest is the largest lake in Arizona. Anglers love to come here to fish for largemouth and smallmouth bass. They also regularly catch catfish, bluegill, and crappie. Some of the best bass fishing in Arizona is near the Roosevelt Lake dam. Mid-lake on the north side, Chubb Bay and Yodel Flats are often especially good for catching various fish species around underwater rocky structures. The lake is about 60 miles northeast of Phoenix.
RV Trip Snapshot
- Base camp: The Tonto National Forest has several large campgrounds right on the lake, including Cholla and Windy Hill, both RV-accessible.
- Fishing access: Many sites are a short walk from the shoreline, with boat ramps close by.
- Hookups vs. dry: Mostly dry sites with dump stations rather than individual hookups. They come self-contained with a full freshwater tank.
- Getting there: Paved access via State Route 188; large rigs are fine.
- Best for: Bass anglers who want a big lake within easy reach of Phoenix and plenty of room to spread out.
Lake Havasu
Some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in Arizona is in Lake Havasu, at Lake Havasu State Park near Havasu City. To improve fishing, state officials placed thousands of bundles of logs underwater to create “fish condo” breeding habitats. While it’s usually easier to catch smallmouth bass here, largemouth and striped bass are also abundant. When the weather is cool, fish with brightly colored crankbaits or suspended jerkbaits near the shore. When the weather warms up, fish in the middle of this lake near sunrise or sunset.
RV Trip Snapshot
- Base camp: Lake Havasu State Park has a campground with hookups right on the water, and Lake Havasu City adds full-hookup RV resorts nearby.
- Fishing access: Shoreline and boat-launch access from the state park. The BLM also maintains boat-in-only campsites along the Arizona shore for anglers with a boat.
- Hookups vs. dry: State park sites offer hookups; the boat-in shoreline sites are rustic.
- Getting there: Easy highway and city access pose no problem for large rigs.
- Best for: Smallmouth anglers who want town amenities and marina services close at hand.
Patagonia Lake
Patagonia Lake is in Patagonia Lake State Park near Nogales in southern Arizona. Use jerkbait for fishing in the north part of the lake, where the creek comes in for bass throughout the year. Especially from mid-June through early September, this can be a great place to catch channel catfish using minnows or live baitfish. The state stocks rainbow trout about every 3 weeks during the winter months. If you fish this lake during the summer, try spinnerbait near the roped-off beach area, and you might reach your limit.
This is also a great place to RV camp while you fish. Spend a day on the lake, and retreat to your RV for a comfy night’s sleep!
RV Trip Snapshot
- Base camp: The state park campground has developed sites, some with hookups, a short walk from the water.
- Fishing access: Shore fishing, a boat ramp, and a marina are all inside the park.
- Hookups vs. dry: Electric/water hookup sites are available. Reserve early, because this park fills up.
- Getting there: Paved park roads that suit most RVs, though site lengths vary.
- Best for: Anglers who want a quiet lake and an easy, self-contained base camp.
Lake Pleasant
Lake Pleasant is the largest lake in the metro-Phoenix area, and you can catch at least 12 species of fish here. It’s also the only lake in the state with sizable numbers of white bass. If you want to catch some, look for white churning water in upstream drainages like Castle Creek, Humbug Creek, Cole’s Wash, and Honeymoon Coves. This is a fun challenge because the water levels are constantly changing as more or less water is needed downstream for irrigation. Use the north entrance to have easy access to the four-lane boat ramp.
RV Trip Snapshot
- Base camp: Lake Pleasant Regional Park has RV camping, and Pleasant Harbor adds a full-hookup RV resort and marina.
- Fishing access: Boat ramps and shoreline access within the park; the marina makes launching simple.
- Hookups vs. dry: Full-hookup sites at Pleasant Harbor and partial-hookup sites at the regional park.
- Getting there: Close to Phoenix with good paved access. This is one of the easier trips for a big rig.
- Best for: Phoenix-based anglers who want a big lake without a long haul.
Lake Mead
Lake Mead straddles the Arizona–Nevada line and is the center of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, the first and largest national recreation area in the country. It’s a great striped bass lake, with rainbow trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, catfish, and crappie also in the mix. Many anglers fish from a boat, but the Hemenway Fishing Pier near Boulder Beach is a solid spot to fish from land. The Temple Bar area on the Arizona side is another good access point.
RV Trip Snapshot
- Base camp: The recreation area has developed National Park Service campgrounds plus concessioner-run RV villages with hookups, including at Temple Bar and Boulder Beach.
- Fishing access: Launch ramps and shoreline access throughout. Check current ramp status, since low water levels can affect access.
- Hookups vs. dry: Full-hookup RV sites at the marina villages; dry campgrounds elsewhere in the rec area.
- Getting there: Paved access to the main marinas; fine for large rigs.
- Best for: Striper anglers who want big water and marina services at their base.
Lake Powell
Lake Powell in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area near Page has lots of Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Channel Catfish, Crappie, and Bluegill. Anchovies are often the perfect bait for catching Striped Bass in the Colorado, Dirty Devil, San Juan, and Escalante arms of this lake. If you want to catch Largemouth Bass, try fishing during the spring spawn, which usually lasts from April through the end of May in areas where the water is about 15 feet deep. If you want to get your children interested in fishing, consider letting them fish for Green Sunfish here in a shaded area.
RV Trip Snapshot
- Base camp: Wahweap RV Park near Page has full hookups, and Antelope Point also has RV facilities — both put you just minutes from the water.
- Fishing access: Marina launches at Wahweap and Antelope Point get you onto the lower lake quickly.
- Hookups vs. dry: Full-hookup RV parks near Page; primitive shoreline camping elsewhere in the rec area.
- Getting there: Good highway access to Page; large rigs are fine at the marinas.
- Best for: Anglers who want multiple species in a day and don’t mind fishing from a boat.
Riggs Flat Lake
If you’re looking for a secluded fishing spot in Arizona, go to Riggs Flat Lake near Safford in the Coronado National Forest. Rainbow, Brown, and Brook Trout are stocked during the summer months. Most anglers catch Rainbow Trout in this location with corn, cheese, garlic cheese, salmon eggs, and worms. Meanwhile, they catch Brown and Brook Trout with action lures.
This area is also a great spot for RV camping, and you can find dispersed camping in the national forest.
RV Trip Snapshot
- Base camp: Riggs Flat Campground sits right at the lake — a small, developed Forest Service campground.
- Fishing access: Walk-to-water sites, with a boat ramp on the lake (electric motors only).
- Hookups vs. dry: This is all dry camping, so arrive fully self-contained.
- Getting there: This one requires planning. The access road (Swift Trail / AZ-366) is narrow and winding, and the final miles are rough. Rigs and trailers over about 22 feet are impractical, and Swift Trail typically closes from mid-November through mid-April for snow. Best reached with a smaller RV, camper van, or truck camper.
- Best for: Anglers with a compact rig who want cool mountain air and solitude.
How to Plan an RV Fishing Trip in Arizona
Here are some top tips to plan an RV fishing trip in Arizona.
Choose an RV-Friendly Base Camp
When you pick where to stay, weigh these three things: how close you’ll be to the water, whether you need hookups, and how big your rig is. Some of Arizona’s best trout waters, like Riggs Flat, sit at the end of narrow mountain roads that don’t suit large RVs. Desert lakes like Lake Pleasant and Lake Havasu offer full-hookup parks with easy paved access. Reserve early for state and regional parks — Patagonia Lake and Lake Pleasant fill up fast in peak season. If you want to fish more than one lake, look for a central base or plan a simple loop. It’s also worth comparing campgrounds near your lakes before you lock in a route.
Pack Your RV for a Fishing Trip
Between the excitement and the packing, it’s easy to leave something behind, so make a list before you load up. A few Arizona-specific items to prioritize:
- Coolers and plenty of ice to chill and transport your catch. Desert heat is no joke.
- A fillet station or cutting board so you can clean fish at camp
- Sun protection: a wide-brim hat, high-SPF sunscreen, and polarized sunglasses
- Extra freshwater, especially for dry campgrounds without hookups
- Rods, tackle, waders, and a small landing net
- Your Arizona fishing license and any required trout stamp
Know Before You Go
Arizona fishing rules vary by water. The limits, seasons, and stamps aren’t the same everywhere. Trout waters like Riggs Flat and Patagonia require a trout stamp for anglers 14 and up, and border waters like Lake Havasu have special reciprocal license rules with California. Always confirm the current regulations and buy your license first through the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
Find an RV for Your Arizona Fishing Trip
Arizona gives you desert bass lakes, red-rock canyons, and cool mountain trout waters — sometimes all on one trip. An RV is the simplest way to experience them all. With the right rig, you can:
- Camp right by the water for early-morning bites and long days on the lake
- Haul rods, tackle, waders, coolers, and a full cleaning kit without cramming a car
- Fish several lakes on one trip instead of choosing just one
- Cook your catch at camp the same evening you land it
- Bring family or friends and give everyone room to fish, paddle, or relax
Ready to plan it? Find your RV for an Arizona fishing trip and get on the water.
