Trout lakes with no motor restrictions are as rare as wealthy outdoor writers. Upper Lake Mary has no restrictions, as does Lyman Lake (between Springerville and St. Johns), but I wouldn’t’ describe either of those as being trout lakes. They are simply located in trout country.

Even our largest trout lake at 450 surface acres, Big Lake in the White Mountains, there are motor size restrictions.

Sorry, it’s just a fact of life in prime trout country.

Often, guys with bass boats simply use their electric trolling motors. Makes it tough to launch and recover for some, but with a little ingenuity, most find a way around the problem.

There is one trout water for no motor restriction — Lees Ferry. In fact, too small an engine at the Ferry might be an unwanted ticket to trouble into the Grand Canyon. The strong flows can sweep the unwary into a world of whitewater hurt.

But there are a couple of spots along the river that are renowned for eating props. The first time you go, find someone who knows the river. Or better yet, go with a guide the first time.

Rory

I love all the post’s great job. I’ve been trout fishing and camping 4 of the last 5 weekends, a lot of miles on the truck and lot of money in gas, but still better then staying home.

Hit Lower Lake Mary first a very windy day, I got to tell you I had a great day… The wind kept the wannabes away, I caught 3 nice ones and a small one I released. If you fish near the ramp and plot your get the small one that don’t stray far from where they were put in… Get away from there… I had better luck down the road a bit, and much less people. Most people that did come came and left because of the wind…

I did The Rim the next few weeks Willow, Woods and Knoll, I had a great time and fair success with Power bait just off the bottom, worms seemed to be working for others just below the top.

I’m Looking for some Trout Lakes with out Motor Restrictions, beside Clear Creek Resv, is there any such lakes that are also worth the ride?

Thanks Again, Alex.
http://www.azcro.net
alex@azcro.net

That is correct, access to Big Lake is via Eagar, or coming in from the Alpine/Hannagan Meadow area. With temperatures soaring in the desert, a White Mountain expedition sounds almost irresistible.

Rory

All that being said, some of my best days fishing in the mountains this time of year had very little to do with catching fish but everything to do with experiencing an early mountain spring where elk, turkey and deer roam freely and you can find vast stretches of forest all to yourself.

It’s tough to beat Big Lake this time of year for wild hold-over trout. Most people may not be aware, but Big Lake is not a put-and-take lake we routinely stock so people can catch trout. Each fall, we stocked it with a few hundred thousand small trout, and then let them grow up in this large, deep lake. The trout you catch at Big are wild as March hares. I can’t wait to get up there myself.

Rory