Largemouth Bass fishing at Horseshoe Reservoir

Spring largemouth bass on Horseshoe Reservoir hold shallow, usually 2 to 10 ft. By summer they slide out to 8 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 15 to 35 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 5 ft, rated prime for spring largemouth bass. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait gets it done.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at Horseshoe Reservoir

Start shallow in spring: smallmouth bass sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 10 to 30 ft, and winter fish settle into 12 to 39 ft. Main-lake point is the standout, a point at roughly 10 ft, rated prime for fall smallmouth bass. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig covers the summer program.

Channel Catfish fishing at Horseshoe Reservoir

Start shallow in spring: channel catfish sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 8 to 25 ft, and by winter most fish are in 12 to 39 ft. Verde River inflow is the standout, a inflow / creek mouth at roughly 4 ft, rated prime for spring channel catfish. Plan around after dark and the evening in the warm months.

Flathead Catfish fishing at Horseshoe Reservoir

In spring, flathead catfish run shallow here, mostly 5 to 20 ft. They move out to 8 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 12 to 39 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 33 ft that scores prime in fall. Best bite is after dark and the evening.

Bluegill fishing at Horseshoe Reservoir

Spring bluegill on Horseshoe Reservoir hold shallow, usually 1 to 6 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 4 to 15 ft, and winter fish settle into 10 to 25 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 5 ft, rated prime for spring bluegill. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a small sponge spider (fly) or a micro tube jig and you're in the game.

Common Carp fishing at Horseshoe Reservoir

In spring, common carp run shallow here, mostly 2 to 10 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 3 to 15 ft, and winter fish settle into 10 to 30 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 5 ft, rated prime for spring common carp. Best bite is early morning and the evening.

How deep is Horseshoe Reservoir?

Horseshoe Reservoir is about 39 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in Horseshoe Reservoir?

Anglers target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, flathead catfish, common carp on Horseshoe Reservoir.

Where is the best fishing spot on Horseshoe Reservoir?

Shallow bay flat is the top-rated area: a weed flat in about 5 ft of water that rates prime for largemouth bass in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Horseshoe Reservoir?

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.