Comments on: Mogollon Rim Lakes

By: admin

admin — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:15:17 +0000

There are lots of secluded spots in the White Mountains, and plenty of dirt roads that are easy on the vehicle (unless it is something like a low-slung Corvette or something). Where to camp is always problematic, especially if you are looking for a dispersed camping spot. I would go in through Sunrise toward Big Lake and just start scouting along the way. With the new road alignment, any place along this route should put you within striking distance of Lee Valley, Crescent and Big Lake.

Or if you feel energetic, head past Big Lake down toward the Black River area. I have been able to find nice dispersed camp spots within minutes of Buffalo Crossing, and had elk, turkey and deer wander through my camp (while half taking a nap). Be careful with your fire, and be sure to leave the area cleaner than you found it. There are those who would ban dispersed camping, so those of us who desire forest solitude don’t want to give them any more excuses.

Rory

By: J.D.

J.D. — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 02:52:02 +0000

Looking for a nice place to go camping and fishing in the white mountains. Was told it is extremely busy during the 4th. Looking for a more secluded spot but not too rough on the vehicle. Any suggestion? Not from arizona so I’m still trying to get the lay of the land. Thanks

By: Tim C

Tim C — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 21:44:57 +0000

Hi Rory, I tried my luck fishing on the Verde River at the first crossing off of Houston Mesa Road but couldn’t get a bite. Went up to Woods Canyon hoping for better luck and caught 3 nice 10″ to 12″ Rainbows in a few hours. Lots of fishermen at the lake braving chilly temps.

By: admin

admin — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:08:14 +0000

Micah;

Yeah, Knoll is one of the great ones. Others should take a tip from you and fish at night, whether it is Knoll or any of the other trout lakes. We used to make a teepee out of poles placed in five fee of water and hang a gas lantern to attract insects and trout, then sit back and watch the star show. You might just have the lake all to yourself.

Rory

By: admin

admin — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:07:39 +0000

Craig;

5-pound smallmouth – wow. Now that’s a fighting fish! He must be quite the six-year-old angler to land something that ferocious. Hey, where’s the pic? Gotta have a pic of a six with a 5.

Man, those hoppers are a secret weapon aren’t they. Let’s not tell anyone. Ooops, too late.

Rory

By: admin

admin — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:07:19 +0000

Joe: Knoll has got to be one of the best – it’s a spring fed beauty waiting to embrace the whole family, and the long dusty road to get there keeps lots of folks away. Glad you dialed in the secret during the wind – the fish will come up toward the surface because the rippled water acts as camouflage from the resident pair of nesting osprey.

Rory

By: Joe Guin

Joe Guin — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 04:04:37 +0000

Fished Saturday and Sunday with my son Joseph at Knoll Lake and absolutely had a great time catching and releasing dozens of trout. Got there about 8:30 Sat morning, and by 9:30 would have had our limit if we had been keeping them. The trout were all stockers, only 8 – 12 inch range, but it sure was a blast watching my son have such a good time catching fish. It was called “catching” not fishing. By the end of the day, (we left at 3 pm) we had caught and released around 40 trout. Came back Sunday morning, fished for two hours, and caught and released 20 more. Lures, worms, salmon eggs, did not matter. They were hitting anything we threw at them. What an incredible two days of catching. Thank you Game and Fish Dept. Wind was howling, but did not matter. Fish were biting about two to three feet off the bank, used a clear casting bubble to float the bait. Those that kept using heavy weights were not doing well, Knoll is bad for snags. Anyway, it was a great trip that me and my son will cherish for a long, long time.

By: Craig Heath

Craig Heath — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 17:12:09 +0000

Rory,
I was up at Willow Springs with my family last week and we caught some nice fish. My kids caught a bunch of grasshoppers that we used to fish with. The trout and smallmouth were biting good. My son Tyler (6) caught a nice 5 lb smallmouth on a grasshopper right by the boat dock. It had another hook and leader in it’s mouth with the line broke at the swivel. We had a lot of fun and all but one trout were released for someone else to enjoy.

By: Micah

Micah — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:17:07 +0000

Fished Knoll lake 5/29-30.
Tried power bait and salmon eggs. With by buddies, caught over 20 trout of various size. The fish were really hopping out of the water after dark and after a rain storm. During these times, they were really chomping on the power bait if you floated it on the top of the water. Worked from the shore or from our canoe.

By: JR

JR — Sat, 30 May 2009 18:41:26 +0000

Blue Ridge – shore and boat 5/22 -23
Caught – nothing either way
You name it and I tried it.

Fish appeared to be feeding on top, perhaps because the water was still very murky or the abundance of grasshoppers. Have never seen so much detritis floting in the lake. At the ramp one could almost walk on the water because of the number of logs.