Becker Lake
Fly fishing in Arizona · intermediate · Best seasons: spring, fall
Target Species
Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout
About This Water
Wildlife area lake with quality trout fishing. Special regulations protect the fishery.
Fishing Recommendations
Becker Lake, located just outside of Springerville in the White Mountains of Arizona, is widely considered one of the crown jewels of the state’s "Quality Waters." As your guide, I can tell you that Becker isn't a place where you go to catch 50 small fish; it is a place where you go to hunt for "footballs"—thick, heavy, high-desert trout that have grown large on a rich diet of scuds and midges.
Here is your comprehensive guide to fly fishing Becker Lake.
🎣 Location Overview
Becker Lake is a 100-acre spring-fed reservoir situated at approximately 6,900 feet in elevation. Unlike the alpine lakes further up in the mountains, Becker sits on a high-prairie plateau.
What makes it special is its alkalinity and productivity. The water is nutrient-rich, supporting massive weed beds and an incredible biomass of aquatic insects. This results in trout that grow at an astonishing rate. It is a "managed" trophy water, meaning strict regulations keep the fish population healthy and the average size high. The lake is relatively shallow (averaging 10–15 feet), which makes the entire lake a "feeding zone" for trout.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
- Rainbow Trout: These are the primary residents. They are known for being exceptionally girthy and hard-fighting. They cruise the weed edges in "wolf packs" or patrol the transition zones where the shallow flats drop off into deeper channels.
- Brown Trout: While less numerous than the Rainbows, the Browns in Becker can reach massive proportions. They are notoriously shy, often holding deeper during the day and moving into the shallows to hunt during low-light hours or under heavy cloud cover.
Feeding Behavior: Because of the dense vegetation, these fish are "cruisers." They move along the edges of the weed mats looking for scuds (freshwater shrimp), damselfly nymphs, and midge pupae.
📅 Best Times to Fish
- Spring (Late March – June): This is the prime window. As the ice melts (ice-off is usually late March), the fish are hungry and move into the shallows. The Chironomid (midge) hatches in April and May are legendary. June brings the Damselfly migration, which offers some of the most exciting fishing of the year.
- Fall (September – November): As the water cools, the trout move out of the deep summer holes and back into the shallows to bulk up for winter. The weed beds begin to die back, making it easier to fish without snagging.
- Prime Time: Early morning (first light) and the last two hours of sun are critical. On Becker, a "Bluebird Day" (bright sun, no wind) can actually make fishing difficult because the water is clear; a slight ripple on the surface (the "Arizona Chop") is your best friend as it hides your tippet and movement.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Top Fly Patterns
- Chironomids: The #1 food source. Zebra Midges (black/silver, red/silver) in sizes 14–18. Ice Buds and Chromies are also staples.
- Scuds: Use Weighted Scud patterns in olive, orange, or grey (size 14–16).
- Simi Seal Leeches: An Arizona staple. Blood leech (red/black), peacock, or olive colors.
- Damselfly Nymphs: Long, slender olive nymphs with Marabou tails for movement (size 10–12).
- Dry Flies: During a hatch, a Parachute Adams or a Griffith’s Gnat can work, but Becker is primarily a sub-surface fishery.
Effective Techniques
- Static Indicator Rigging: This is the most effective way to fish Becker. Suspend two midges or a midge/scud combo under an indicator. You must be precise with depth; try to hang your bottom fly about 12 inches above the top of the weed beds.
- Intermediate Sinking Lines: Using a slow-sinking (Type 1 or 2) line with a Simi Seal Leech or a Damsel nymph is deadly. Use a "stop-and-go" retrieve to mimic the pulsing movement of the natural insects.
- The "Hanging" Technique: If you are in a float tube, let your flies hang vertically over the side of the boat as you drift slowly along the weed edges.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- Fish the "Edges": Don't just cast into the middle of the lake. The "Shelf"—where the water drops from 4 feet to 10 feet—is where the big fish patrol.
- The Wind is Your Friend (and Enemy): Becker is notoriously windy. However, the wind pushes food to the windward shore. If you can handle the casting, fishing the "mud line" where waves are stirring up the bank can produce the biggest fish of the trip.
- Bring a Float Tube/Kayak: While there is some shore access near the pier, the majority of the lake is ringed by thick reeds and soft mud. To fish Becker effectively, you need to be on the water.
- Long Leaders: Because the water is clear and the fish are pressured, use long fluorocarbon leaders (12–15 feet) to prevent spooking the trout.
⚠️ Important Information
- Regulations: Becker Lake is Catch and Release Only. You must use artificial flies and lures with single barbless hooks. (Crush your barbs before you get on the water!).
- Permits: An Arizona G&F fishing license is required. You can purchase these online or in Springerville.
- Seasonal Closures: The lake is open year-round, but the best fishing is dictated by the ice.
- Facilities: There is a nice parking area, a boat ramp (electric motors only), and a vault toilet. There is no camping at the lake itself, but plenty of dispersed camping and motels are available in nearby Springerville/Eagar.
Guide’s Final Word: Becker is a "thinking man's" lake. Be patient, watch for the subtle rise of a midge-eater, and don't be afraid to change your depth by just 6 inches—it often makes the difference between a skunk and a 24-inch Rainbow.
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chironomids Chironomidae | midge | March, April, May, October | All Day | #12-22 | Zebra Midge #16-20, Ice Cream Cone #12-16, Griffith's Gnat #18-22 |
| Callibaetis Callibaetis spp. | mayfly | May, June, September | Late Morning/Early Afternoon | #12-16 | Parachute Adams #14-16, Pheasant Tail Nymph #14-16, Callibaetis Spinner #14-16 |
| Damselflies Enallagma/Ischnura | other | June, July | Late Morning/Afternoon | #10-14 | Marabou Damsel Nymph #10-12, Adult Damsel #12-14 |
| Scuds Gammarus/Hyalella | other | April, May, September, October | All Day | #12-18 | Ray Charles #14-16, Flashback Scud #12-18 |
| Water Boatmen Corixidae | other | September, October | Afternoon | #14-16 | Prince Nymph #14-16, Water Boatman Pattern #14-16 |
| Dragonflies Anisoptera | other | July, August | Afternoon | #4-10 | Dragonfly Nymph #6-10, Wooly Bugger (Olive/Brown) #4-10 |
| Caddisflies Trichoptera | caddis | June, July | Evening | #12-16 | Elk Hair Caddis #14-16, LaFontaine's Emerger #14-16 |
| Grasshoppers Orthoptera | terrestrial | August, September | Afternoon | #8-12 | Dave's Hopper #10-12, Hopper Juan #8-12 |