Arizona Fishing

NORTHEASTERN ARIZONA (White Mountains)

Note: Streams are flowing high. Many lakes are spilling, are very turbid, and are ice-covered to ice-free. Higher elevation lakes are still ice-covered. Lower elevation lake’s are ice-covered to ice-free and are slightly turbid to turbid. Forest roads are closed. State Highway 261 is closed to Big Lake and Crescent Lake, as well as most interior Forest roads. State Highway 273 on the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest is undergoing reconstruction and realignment and the following closures are in effect. State Highway 273 from the Forest and Fort Apache Indian Reservation boundary to Crescent Lake is closed to all traffic, including snowmobiles, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will remain closed until the road construction project is complete. Snowmobilers should use Forest Road 249 from Williams Valley to Big Lake and Crescent Lake.

BECKER LAKE —Fishing is fair to good. The lake is open to artificial lure and fly only, barbless hooks and a two trout limit. The lake is ice-free. The boat ramp is accessible. Try small lures such as spinners, Super dupers, and Z-Rays. Fly-Fishers are catching 15-18 inch rainbow trout. Try small nymphs such as scuds, Zebra midges, pheasant tails, Zug bugs, Prince nymphs, woolly worms, dragon fly nymphs, peacock ladies, egg patterns, and brown Montana stone nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10hp. gas motors.

BIG LAKE — The lake is ice-covered. Highway 261 is closed from Eager.

ACCESS: State Highway 273 from the Forest Service-Fort Apache Indian Reservation to Crescent Lake is closed for road construction and is also closed to snowmobiles. Snowmobilers should use Forest road 249 from Williams Valley to Big Lake and Crescent Lake.

CARNERO LAKE — The lake is ice-covered. Ice fishing is likely poor. Limnology surveys indicate there was very little dissolved oxygen under the ice during January and February, and some improvement in oxygen levels in March but the lake has probably winterkilled. Check ice thickness before venturing out on the ice. Forest Road’s 117 and 117A are snow packed and unaccessible to vehicles. Access to the lake is by snowmobiles only.

CLEAR CREEK RESERVOIR — Fishing is poor to fair. The lake is ice-free and full. The east side boat ramp is accessible and the best ramp to use. The north boat ramp (steep hill) may have soft sand and would be difficult to launch a boat. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, and lures such as spinners, Z-Rays, crank baits, and Rapala’s, flies such as woolly worms or woolly buggers, and peacock ladies. There is no motor restrictions on Clear Creek Reservoir.

CONCHO LAKE—Fishing is poor to fair. The lake is ice-free and full. The boat ramp is accessible. Recent netting reveiled rainbow trout ranging from 12-16 inches, with an average length of 13 inches. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, Z-Rays, and Super Dupers, and flies such as woolly worms or woolly buggers, peacock ladies, and small nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10hp gas motors.

CRESCENT LAKE — The lake is ice-covered. Ice fishing is likely poor. Recent limnological surveys indicate there is very little dissolved oxygen under the ice and the lake has probably winterkilled. Highway 261 is closed from Eager. Highway 273 from Forest Service-Fort Apache Indian Reservation to Crescent Lake is closed for road construction and is also closed to snowmobiles. Snowmobilers should use Forest road 249 from Williams Valley to Crescent Lake and Big Lake.

FOOL HOLLOW LAKE — Fishing is poor to fair. The lake is ice-free, full, and spilling. The water is turbid due to recent runoff into the lake. The boat ramps are accessible. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, Z-Rays, crank baits, and Rapala’s, and flies such as woolly worms or woolly buggers and peacock ladies. Fish around structure such as rocks, tree stumps, and fishing piers. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10hp. gas motors

GREER LAKES — All Greer lakes have some ice-cover. Unsafe ice conditions. Bunch Reservoir is 45% ice-covered, River Reservoir is 85% ice-covered, and Tunnel Reservoir is 60% ice-covered. Anglers have been catching rainbow trout on worms at River Reservoir. Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, Super Dupers, Z-Rays, and Rapala’s, and flies such as Peacock ladies, woolly worms, woolly buggers, and small nymphs. All of the Greer lakes are not open yet for boat use because of ice cover.

HULSEY LAKE — Forest roads are snow packed and access is by snowmobile only. The lake is ice-covered. Check ice thickness before venturing out on the ice.

LEE VALLEY RESERVOIR — The lake is ice-covered. Access to the lake is closed.

Access: State Highway 273 from Sunrise Lake to Crescent Lake is closed for road construction and Highway 261 from Eager is closed. Both roads are closed to snowmobiles.

LUNA LAKE — Fishing is fair. The lake is ice-free, full and spilling. The boat ramp is accessible. Try worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, lures such as spinners, Super Dupers, Z-Rays, and Rapala’s, and flies such as Peacock ladies, woolly worms, woolly buggers, and small nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10 hp. gas motors.

LYMAN LAKE — Fishing is fair. The lake is ice-free, turbid, and almost full. The lake level has been coming up with recent runoff into the lake. Anglers are catching largemouth bass on lures. Try worms, Power Bait, catfish stink baits, and lures such as spinners, crankbaits, and Rapalas.

The Lyman Lake recreation area is managed by Lyman Lake State Park and camping is available. There are also some new cabins for rent.

There is a fish consumption advisory here, so check with the State Parks Office at the lake for details. Also contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Region 1 Office in Pinetop at 928-367-4281. There are no motor restrictions on Lyman Lake.

NELSON RESERVOIR — Fishing is poor to fair. The two boat ramps are accessible except for the east boat ramp and road. The lake is ice-free, full, and spilling. The water is turbid due to recent runoff into the lake. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, Z-Rays, super Dupers, and Rapala’s, and flies such as woolly worms or woolly buggers, and peacock ladies. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10hp. gas motors.

RAINBOW LAKE — Fishing is poor to fair. The boat ramp is accessible. The lake is full and ice-free. The water is slightly turbid. Recent netting has reveiled lots of northern pike, bullheads, a few large largemouth bass, and some bluegills. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as Z-Rays, spinners, crank baits, and Rapala’s, and flies such as woolly worms or woolly buggers, and peacock ladies. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10hp. gas motors.

SCOTT’S RESERVOIR — Fishing is poor to fair. The lake is ice-free, full, and spilling. The boat ramp is accessible. The lake is slightly turbid. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, crank baits, Super Dupers, Z-Rays, and Rapala’s, and flies such as woolly worms or woolly buggers, Peacock ladies, and Prince nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only.

SHOW LOW LAKE — Fishing is poor to fair. The lake is ice-free and slightly turbid due to runoff from Show Low Creek. The boat ramp is accessible. Try worms, Power Bait, and salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, crank baits, rubber leadhead jigs, and Rapala’s, and flies such as woolly worms or woolly buggers, and Peacock ladies. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and/or up to 10hp. gas motors.

SILVER CREEK — Fishing is fair. The stream’s water clarity is slightly turbid. Silver Creek on the Arizona Game and Fish Department property is open to catch and release fishing, artificial lure and fly only and single barbless hooks only from October 1 through March 31. The upper section is open to fishing. Try small lures such as Mepps, Panther Martin, and Rooster tail, and flies such as woolly worms, woolly buggers, peacock ladies, Prince nymphs, Zug bugs, Shrimp patterns, and small beadhead nymphs. Try dry flies such as Adams, Parachute Adams, midge and caddis fly patterns. Silver Creek is a spring creek that does not get ice covered during the winter months.

WOODLAND LAKE — The lake is ice-free, full, and spilling. The boat ramp is accessible. The lake is slightly turbid. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs, lures such as spinners, Super Dupers, and small spoons, and flies such as woolly worms or woolly buggers, Peacock ladies, and Prince nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only.

WHITE MOUNTAIN STREAMS:

WEST FORK OF BLACK RIVER – The stream is flowing high. Forest roads are snow packed and Highway 261 and 273 are closed.

EAST FORK OF BLACK RIVER – The stream is flowing high. Forest roads are snow packed and Highway 261and 273 are closed.

SHEEPS CROSSING – Not accessible. Highway 273 is closed for the year due to road construction and an area closure is still in effect around Sheeps Crossing, including snowmobiles.

LITTLE COLORADO RIVER – GREER – The stream is flowing high and turbid.