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Rating depth structure for largemouth bass.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
The Parker Strip (Lake Moovalya), Parker Dam to Headgate Rock. Largemouth, smallmouth and striped bass in a busy river pool. The river tops out around 57 ft. The depth chart comes from U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Geological Survey 3D Elevation Program bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. The rest of this page walks each species through its year, using the map's own scoring.
Drawn out, this is 673 acres of water rimmed by 28.7 miles of bank. The 7.9 development index tells the story — a convoluted bank whose fishable edge far outruns the acreage. About 70% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft — that's the weed-and-bait zone. Figure 11.7 mi of water from one end to the other, 2.2 mi at the beam. The water lies in San Bernardino County. Closest neighbour on DepthScout: Alamo Lake, 35 mi east of here.
Start shallow in spring: largemouth bass sit in 2 to 10 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 20 ft, and winter fish settle into 15 to 35 ft. The spot to know is Survey-surface channel edge, a channel edge in about 19 ft of water that rates good for largemouth bass in winter. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning and the evening. Throw a texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait until the fish tell you otherwise.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | Spinnerbait, Chatterbait |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Survey-surface channel edge (19 ft) | Texas-rigged 10" worm, Deep-diving crankbait |
| Fall | 4 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | open water | Squarebill crankbait (shad), Spinnerbait |
| Winter | 15 to 35 ft | midday | Survey-surface channel edge (19 ft) | Blade bait, Jigging spoon |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: smallmouth bass in 3 to 12 ft. As the season builds they drop to 10 to 30 ft, wintering in 20 to 45 ft. Top water on the chart: Survey-surface local shoal, a gravel shoal in the 4 ft range, good in spring. Time it for early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Survey-surface local shoal (4 ft) | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Survey-surface channel edge (19 ft) | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 8 to 25 ft | midday & dawn | Survey-surface channel edge (19 ft) | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 20 to 45 ft | midday | Survey-surface channel edge (19 ft) | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Start shallow in spring: channel catfish sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 25 ft, and winter fish settle into 20 to 40 ft. The spot to know is Survey-surface local basin, a deep basin in about 28 ft of water that rates good for channel catfish in winter. Warm-month bites cluster around after dark and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dusk | open water | |
| Summer | 8 to 25 ft | night & dusk | Survey-surface local basin (14 ft) | |
| Fall | 10 to 30 ft | dusk | Survey-surface local basin (14 ft) | |
| Winter | 20 to 40 ft | midday | Survey-surface local basin (28 ft) |
In spring, flathead catfish run shallow here, mostly 5 to 20 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 30 ft, and winter fish settle into 20 to 45 ft. Survey-surface local basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 14 ft, rated good for fall flathead catfish. Time it for after dark and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | night & dusk | Survey-surface local basin (14 ft) | |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | night & dusk | Survey-surface local basin (14 ft) | |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | night & dusk | Survey-surface local basin (14 ft) | |
| Winter | 20 to 45 ft | midday | Survey-surface local basin (28 ft) |
In spring, common carp run shallow here, mostly 2 to 10 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 3 to 15 ft before dropping to 10 to 30 ft for winter. Winter common carp concentrate at Survey-surface local basin, a good-rated deep basin around 14 ft. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | midday & dawn | Survey-surface local shoal (4 ft) | |
| Summer | 3 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | |
| Fall | 5 to 18 ft | midday | Survey-surface local basin (14 ft) | |
| Winter | 10 to 30 ft | midday | Survey-surface local basin (14 ft) |
Structure-wise the chart holds 12 features, led in depth by Survey-surface local basin at roughly 28 ft.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Arizona waters are set by the Arizona Game & Fish Department — and special regulations can apply to Colorado River (Parker Strip) specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Arizona fishing regulations →
Colorado River (Parker Strip) is about 56.7 ft (17 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Geological Survey 3D Elevation Program bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, common carp on Colorado River (Parker Strip).
Survey-surface local basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 28 ft of water that rates good for channel catfish in winter. The map above holds the full rated-spot list for every species and season.
For largemouth bass, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Colorado River (Parker Strip) is regulated by the Arizona Game & Fish Department. Check the official Arizona regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Alamo Lake 35 mi · Lake Havasu 37 mi, AZ/CA · Colorado River (below Davis Dam) 54 mi · Colorado River (Palo Verde / Cibola) 63 mi · Colorado River (Imperial Division) 90 mi · Colorado River (Laguna Division) 97 mi · Lake Mohave 98 mi, AZ/NV · Colorado River (Yuma Division) 104 mi · Redondo Lake 104 mi · Watson Lake 105 mi · Gila River 110 mi · Lake Pleasant 113 mi
See how Colorado River (Parker Strip) stacks up: best largemouth bass lakes in Arizona · best smallmouth bass lakes in Arizona · best channel catfish lakes in Arizona · best flathead catfish lakes in Arizona
Browse all Arizona fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry: published agency survey data. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.