Cataract Lake
Fly fishing in Arizona · beginner · Best seasons: spring, summer, fall
Target Species
Rainbow Trout
About This Water
Williams area lake with stocked trout. Easy access from Interstate 40.
Fishing Recommendations
As your guide for the day, I’m excited to break down Cataract Lake. Located just outside of Williams, Arizona, at an elevation of about 6,700 feet, this is a classic "high country" pine-forest gem. While it’s a relatively small reservoir (about 25 acres), it offers a serene escape and some of the best fly fishing in the Kaibab National Forest.
🎣 Location Overview
Cataract Lake is a scenic, quiet destination nestled among ponderosa pines. What makes it special for fly anglers is its "no gas motors" rule, which ensures a peaceful experience without the wake and noise of large boats.
The lake is a managed fishery that receives regular stockings of Rainbow Trout, and because of its depth and vegetation, it can produce some surprisingly hefty "holdover" fish that have survived multiple seasons. The water clarity is usually moderate to clear, but it can become "weedy" in the late summer, creating perfect ambush points for trout.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
The primary target here is the Rainbow Trout.
- Behavior: These fish are most active when the water temperature is between 45°F and 60°F. In the early morning, you’ll find them cruising the shorelines in search of midges and terrestrials. As the sun gets high, they retreat to the deeper water near the dam or the center of the lake.
- Feeding Habits: They are opportunistic. They feast on heavy midge hatches, damselfly larvae in the weed beds, and "Simi Seal" leeches that roam the bottom. During the monsoon season (July–August), they become very keyed into terrestrials like ants and beetles blown off the pines.
📅 Best Times to Fish
Spring (April – May)
This is prime time. As the ice melts and the water warms, the trout become extremely aggressive. This is when you’ll find the fish in the shallows and near the inlets if there has been recent snowmelt.
Summer (June – August)
- Best Window: Dawn and Dusk.
- Conditions: Mid-day can be slow as fish go deep. However, late June brings the Damselfly hatch, which can lead to explosive surface action. Watch for blue "needles" hovering over the weeds.
Fall (September – October)
The "Second Prime." As temperatures drop, the trout go on a feeding binge to prepare for winter. The fall colors in the surrounding forest make this the most aesthetic time to be on the water.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
The "Arizona Special" (Indicator Nymphing)
Because Cataract has a lot of midges, fishing under an indicator is often the most productive method.
- Top Flies: Zebra Midges (Size 18-22 in Red, Black, or Silver), Pheasant Tails (Size 16-18), and Hare’s Ears.
- Technique: Set your indicator so your bottom fly is about 12 inches off the mud. Micro-movements are key.
Stripping Streamers & Leeches
If the indicator isn't moving, go sub-surface with an intermediate sinking line.
- Top Flies: Simi Seal Leeches (Blood Leech, Olive, or Black/Red) and Woolly Buggers (Size 8-12).
- Technique: Use a slow, rhythmic "strip-strip-pause" retrieve. Most strikes happen on the pause.
Dry Fly Action
- Top Flies: Parachute Adams (Size 16-20), Griffith’s Gnat, and foam ants or beetles in late summer.
- Technique: Look for rising fish in the glassy water during the "Golden Hour" (last hour of light). Use a long, fine leader (9ft 5X or 6X) to avoid spooking them.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- Bring a Float Tube: While shore fishing is accessible, the best fish hold just out of casting range from the bank. A float tube or kayak allows you to fish the "drop-off" near the dam and the edges of the weed islands that shore anglers can't reach.
- Focus on the Dam: The deepest water is typically near the dam structure. On hot summer days, this is where the oxygen and cooler temps are.
- The "Ant" Secret: If there has been a summer afternoon thunderstorm, tie on a small black foam ant. The rain washes thousands of insects off the ponderosa pines into the water, triggering a feeding frenzy.
- Stealth Matters: Because it’s a small lake, sound travels. Avoid splashing or heavy wading.
⚠️ Important Information
- Access: Easy access via Cataract Lake County Park. There are developed ramps, restrooms, and picnic silver.
- Regulations: An Arizona Fishing License is required for everyone 10 years and older. You can purchase these online via the AZGFD (Arizona Game and Fish Department) website.
- Motors: Only electric trolling motors are allowed. No internal combustion engines.
- Weather: At nearly 7,000 feet, the weather changes fast. Always bring a raincoat, even if the sky is blue in the morning. Afternoon lightning is a real danger in the summer—if you hear thunder, get off the water immediately.
Guide’s Final Word: Cataract Lake isn't about "trophy" size every day, but for the fly fisher who loves technical midge fishing or a peaceful afternoon in a float tube, it’s one of the most rewarding spots in Northern Arizona. Tight lines!
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chironomids (Midges) Chironomidae | midge | March, April, May, October | All Day | #16-24 | Zebra Midge #18-22, Ice Man Midge #16-20, Griffith's Gnat #18-22 |
| Callibaetis (Speckled Duns) Callibaetis | mayfly | May, June, September | Late Morning/Afternoon | #12-16 | Parachute Adams #14-16, Hare's Ear Nymph #12-16, Callibaetis Spinner #14-16 |
| Damselfly Enallagma | terrestrial | June, July | Midday | #10-14 | Marabou Damsel #10-12, Adult Damsel #12-14 |
| Scud Gammarus | terrestrial | April, May, September | All Day | #14-18 | Ray Charles #14-18, Orange Scud #14-16 |
| Water Boatman Corixidae | terrestrial | September, October | Afternoon | #14-16 | Prince Nymph #14-16, Water Boatman #14-16 |
| Dragonfly Anisoptera | terrestrial | July, August | All Day | #6-10 | Dragonfly Nymph #8-10, Woolly Bugger (Olive) #6-10 |
| Terrestrial Ants and Beetles Formicidae / Coleoptera | terrestrial | July, August | Afternoon | #12-18 | Cinnamon Ant #14-16, Foam Beetle #12-14 |
| Caddisflies Trichoptera | caddis | May, June | Evening | #14-18 | Elk Hair Caddis #14-16, Pupa #16-18 |