Jeff Rankin Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio

Moving to AZ —- researching fishing areas ( Crappie, Trout, etc) — was told to check out the many lakes in the White Mountains areas —- any suggestions would be greatly appreciated 🎣

Mark V Loc: Colorado,now RV full time we winter in MesaAZ

Boat? No boat?
There are several lakes off of hwy 260, between Payson and Show Low. East and south of Show Low you have Big Lake and several lakes on the Indian res. Those on the res require licenses from the Indian reservation. I have not fished on the res but I have heard that the fishing can be quite good.

Jeff Rankin Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio

Hi — yes have boat — Thk you 🎣

Mark V Loc: Colorado,now RV full time we winter in MesaAZ

Fishing has been good at Big Lake recently. Trolling has been productive. I don't know what they are using. The guy who owns the store at the marina there is very knowledgeable and could help you with information.

Jeff Rankin Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio

Thx! ! Will search Big Lake and the marina! 👍🎣

MoJoe Loc: Springfield, MO

Other than big lake, you really need to research Lakes owned by the White Mountain Apache tribe. Although many of the lakes are stocked with small fish, several of the Lakes have Premier trout fishing. The price is reasonable whether you talk about fishing or putting a boat on the water or both. In particular, Reservation Lake, which is close to Big Lake, has some huge brown trout. I moved from Arizona to Missouri less than a year ago and while the White Mountain Lakes are more crowded than I liked, and I lived in the desert near Phoenix, I also had a second home in Pinetop which is Central to fishing many of these Lakes. Good luck to you!

Jeff Rankin Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio

Thx for the info ! ! Appreciate it 🎣

Big A Loc: Mesa, Arizona

Jeff -
What part of Arizona are you moving to ? Do you only fish lakes/ponds
from a boat or do you shore-fish rivers/streams ? From the
conversation I'm guessing you're primarily a trout fisherman ? Having
a boat is nice, but many trout lakes have a size/horsepower limit (usually 10 hp or less), so watch your regs !

Some of the best trout lakes fall into this category, so some type of watercraft (tube/kayak/canoe/jon
boat/inflatable 'cat') is desirable, though I personally wouldn't use a tube where there's pike (like Show Low/Fool Hollow/Ashurst lakes) ! Small lakes - small craft !

Jeff Rankin Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio

Thk you ! My boat is small 17’ with 40hp but also a trolling motor so hoping just using the trolling motor would be good — I am moving to Phoenix but also an old guy approaching retirement 😂 so can travel to White Mountains—— fishing streams for trout would be great also —- I just need to get out and enjoy fishing ! !

Big A Loc: Mesa, Arizona

Trolling motor would be fine, but just starting your 40-hp on a restricted lake could cost you a stiff fine !

Local lakes (big motors OK) -
1/Alamo Lake is about 2-1/2 hrs.
west of Phoenix - supposed to be a good bass and crappie lake and not much fishing pressure !
2/Pleasant Lake is about a half-hour north of West Phoenix (Peoria/ Glendale) - black bass (Lm/Sm),
some BIG stripers and crappie !
3/Bartlett Lake is about a half-hour
N/NE of Scottsdale - black bass, crappie, and some BIG flatheads !
4/Saguaro Lake is about 40 min./
Canyon Lake is about 1-1/4 hr -
both have good-sized bass, and it seems like the first has more, the second has bigger ! There are also trout (both lakes get stocked from mid-November to mid-March),
crappie, sunnies and walleye, but
the latter are few and far between
on those two lakes !
5/Roosevelt Lake is about 2 hrs. out and is a good bass and crappie lake !

Jeff Rankin Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio

This is awesome 👏—- really appreciate it — tight lines 🎣