Santa Fe Reservoir

Anglers know Santa Fe Reservoir as one of the lesser-trafficked reservoirs of Arizona, United States. The standard playbook on a reservoir this size is to start shallow at first light, work outward toward deeper water as the sun climbs, and circle back to the shallows before dusk. Surface activity at Santa Fe Reservoir is a useful tell — boils, swirls, and rising baitfish point straight at the predator zone.

Location

35.2406, -112.1850 · View on OpenStreetMap →

Species at This Spot

Yellow perchBlack crappieRainbow troutChannel catfishWhite crappieLargemouth bass

Fishing Techniques

• For Yellow perch

  When perch are finicky, downsize your bait or lure and use lighter line to increase your chances of getting a bite. Focus on areas near weed beds or drop-offs as they often hold schools of perch.

• For Black crappie

  Vary your retrieve speed until you find what the crappie are responding to; sometimes slow and steady is best, other times a twitching action triggers strikes.

• For Rainbow trout

  Vary your retrieve speed when using spinners to find what triggers a strike; sometimes a slow, steady retrieve works best, while other times a faster, erratic retrieve is more effective.

Recommended Gear

Tackle commonly used to target the species at Santa Fe Reservoir.

Plan Your Trip

Before fishing Santa Fe Reservoir, make sure your licence covers Arizona, United States and that any species-specific seasons are open. Local regulations change year to year, so check the current rules rather than going from memory.

Nearby Spots in Arizona

See all fishing spots in Arizona →

Other Fishing Regions in United States