Lake Martinez has a unique location, as you travel into the city of Yuma down 95 through the strip of new age fast food restaurants and then back into the desert.Your mind starts to ask, could there really be water here? As the journey continues you travel through Army proving grounds. You also see old artillery guns and helicopters strategically placed throughout the desert landscape making it feel like a scene out of area 51.
Finally, as you approach Martinez Lake, you are traveling over a road that reminds you of a roller coaster as child with the constant inclines and declines on the road. Then all the sudden out of nowhere appears a beautiful lush green environment filled with Waterfowl, Owls, and many other types of wildlife.
It’s hard to image such a beautiful waterway in the middle of the desert, but it does exist thanks to the Colorado river and it’s fast moving currents. Even where the temperatures soar well of above the century mark, there is a great fishery with monster bass swimming in its waters.
With my first experience at Martinez Lake I was skeptical because of the area’s surrounding the lake and river. Boy was i mistaken this is an excellent fishery with good bites on top water, cranks, and plastics. In the hotter parts of the year, the Bass hang out in the cooler currents of the Colorado River and it’s backwaters. As the weather cools, they move into the lake and the shallows of the backwaters.
The water was clear and inside the Lake I could go as deep as 8 feet in some parts. There are tullie's everywhere, along with lots of grass mats making a perfect fit for top water frogs. I was able to experience it first hand, I had some great blow ups in the morning and landed a nice 6 pounder just before dark on a Designer Bass Frog.
The river and the lake are very kayak friendly, I would rate it a 7.5 out of 10 because of the multiple access points and the vast amount of backwaters. The current in the Colorado River is strong and something that you need to be cautious of when planning your trip. There are also many sand bars along the way to take a break and get in a quick swim to cool off.
Temperatures easily reach 100 plus degrees 6 to 7 months a year, so staying hydrated is a challenge. Bring lots of water and make sure to start hydrating a few days before going out. Lakes like Martinez are why I live 2 kayak fish.
