Big Fill Lake

Big Fill Lake is a lake in Coconino County, Arizona and covers about 11 acres, reaches about 14.4 feet at its deepest point and holds roughly 63.2 acre-feet.

The small size of Big Fill Lake makes quiet casts and short moves more useful than carrying a pile of tackle.

Fish and Baits

Fish listed for Big Fill Lake include Black Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, and Largemouth Bass.

While looking for black crappie on this water, fish a small jig or minnow around wood, weeds, and sharp little drops.

For bluegill, use a small jig, worm, or tiny plastic around green weeds and protected pockets; use the same depth on the next similar feature.

At Big Fill Lake, try this for largemouth bass: work a soft plastic, jig, or spinnerbait around weeds and protected cover.

At Big Fill Lake, try this for channel catfish: fish cut bait or a nightcrawler on the bottom along a channel edge or warm flat.

For a short trip to Big Fill Lake, other targets listed here include Common Carp; give each one its own bait and depth instead of trying to catch everything with the same rig.

How to Read the Water

Before changing spots on this water, start where two things meet: weeds and open water, rock and mud, a point and a drop, or clear water and dirty water; fish that edge at more than one depth before leaving it.

Season by Season

On this water, spring runoff can add color and pull fish toward fresh water; green weeds and the first drop become stronger summer targets; in fall, follow bait toward points and shallow flats, while winter rewards a slower search.

A Simple Tackle Plan

A focused trip to Big Fill Lake begins this way: a medium spinning rod, 8-pound line, a small box of jigs, a few crankbaits, and a simple bottom rig cover most situations; change depth or speed before changing every piece of tackle.

Before moving far on Big Fill Lake, record the wind, water color, productive depth, and cover after a bite; those four notes are more useful on the next trip than a long list of spots that did not produce.

Big Fill Lake FAQs

What is a simple way to start fishing for black crappie at Big Fill Lake?

For a simple plan, fish a light jig or minnow around wood, weeds, and sharp little drops.

What does the 14.4 feet deepest point mean when fishing Big Fill Lake?

On an first pass, treat 14.4 feet as the deepest point, not the automatic fishing depth; start beside cover and shift deeper only when bites or bait give a reason.

What is the best reason to change spots at Big Fill Lake?

Before moving far, shift after checking the same useful feature at several depths without finding bait, a clean edge, or a bite.