The Lake

Theodore Roosevelt Lake is created by the Theodore Roosevelt Dam, the first major structure constructed by the Bureau of Reclamationon the Salt River Project. It spans the Salt River to form a huge reservoir. The dam is 280 feet high and 723 feet long.

Once the largest man-made lake in the world, Roosevelt Lake is still the biggest of the six SRP lakes and offers the most recreation opportunities. When full, the lake covers more than 17,000 acres near the confluence of Tonto Creek and the Salt River.

Game fish in Roosevelt include large mouth and small mouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie. The Lake contains a wildlife area and as a wildlife refuge, is posted to permit hunting at certain times of the year. Roosevelt fish grow fast because it stays warm year-round and is relatively shallow with brush-filled bays that provide excellent spawning sites. The water is extremely rich because of all the nutrients brought in from the two river inflows.

Roosevelt Lake is located 80 miles east of Phoenix and heavily visited during hot summer holidays. Facilities include fish cleaning station, picnic areas, restrooms, boating ramp, camping, and stocked fish.