Luna Lake
Fly fishing in Arizona · beginner · Best seasons: spring, summer, fall
Target Species
Rainbow Trout
About This Water
Alpine lake near New Mexico border. Stocked trout in beautiful mountain meadow.
Fishing Recommendations
Welcome to the high-country "gem" of the White Mountains. As a guide who has spent countless hours on the water in Alpine, Arizona, I can tell you that Luna Lake is arguably the most productive "trophy" trout water in the state. Because it is a nutrient-rich, shallower reservoir, the trout here grow at an astonishing rate.
Here is your comprehensive guide to fly fishing Luna Lake.
🎣 Location Overview
Luna Lake is located just a few miles east of the town of Alpine, AZ, at an elevation of approximately 8,000 feet. It is a man-made reservoir fed by the San Francisco River.
What makes Luna special is its productivity. Unlike the sterile, crystal-clear alpine lakes you might find elsewhere, Luna is "fertile." It has massive weed beds and a silty bottom, which translates to a massive biomass of insects and crustaceans. This is a "heavyweight" lake—the fish here are thick-bodied and powerful. Anglers love it because it offers a legitimate chance at a 20-inch+ Rainbow Trout in a stunning mountain setting.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
The primary target is the Rainbow Trout, though you will occasionally find Cutthroat Trout and the odd Brook or Brown Trout.
- Growth & Feeding: Because of the abundance of scuds (freshwater shrimp) and damsel flies, these fish are "meat-eaters." They don't just sip midges; they hunt.
- Holding Patterns: In the spring, fish congregate near the east end (the inlet) for spawning runs. As the water warms in summer, they retreat to the deeper channels near the dam or bury themselves in "pockets" within the massive weed beds.
- Cruising: These trout are cruisers. They follow the edges of the weed lines like a highway, looking for trapped nymphs or leeches.
📅 Best Times to Fish
- Spring (Ice-out to Mid-June): The Prime Window. Right after the ice melts (usually late March/April), the fish are ravenous and often found in the shallows. This is your best chance at a true trophy.
- Summer (July - August): Fishing remains good but requires an early start. By 10:00 AM, the sun is high and the water warms. Focus on the "Monsoon" afternoons when cloud cover moves in.
- Fall (September - November): As the weeds begin to die back and temperatures drop, the fish move back into the shallows to bulk up for winter. The colors on the fish are spectacular this time of year.
- Time of Day: The "Golden Hour" (first light and last light) is critical here. The wind often dies down at dusk, leading to incredible dry fly action.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Top Fly Patterns
- Chironomids (Midges): Size 12-18. Zebra Midges (black/silver or red/silver) and "Ice Bugs."
- Scuds: Size 14-16. Olive or bright orange (the "hot spot" scud). This is the primary protein source in Luna.
- Leeches: Simi Seal Leeches in Blood Leech, Peacock, or Black/Red.
- Damsel Nymphs: Size 12-14. Marabou-tailed damsels in olive.
- Dry Flies: Callibaetis patterns or Griffith's Gnats (size 16-20) for the evening midge hatch.
Effective Techniques
- Indicator Nymphing: This is the most effective way to fish Luna. Suspend a midge or a scud 12–24 inches off the bottom. Use a long leader (12-15ft) if the water is clear.
- The "Luna Crawl": Use an intermediate (slow-sink) line with a Simi Seal Leech. Cast over the weed beds and retrieve with a painfully slow "figure-eight" strip. You want the fly to tick the tops of the weeds.
- Dry-Dropper: During summer evenings, use a Parachute Adams as an indicator and hang a small scud 18 inches below it.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- The Weed Game: Many anglers get frustrated by the weeds at Luna. Don't. The weeds are where the food is. Find the "holes" or lanes in the vegetation and drop your nymphs vertically into them.
- Float Tubes/Kayaks: While you can fish from the bank near the dam, Luna is best fished from a craft. A float tube allows you to stealthily hover over the deep channels and cast back toward the weed edges.
- The Wind Factor: Alpine is notorious for afternoon winds. If the wind picks up, move to the dam area where the water is deeper and less prone to becoming "muddy" from bottom sediment.
- Watch the Inlet: In late spring, the area where the San Francisco River enters the lake is a hotspot. However, it is shallow—long casts and stealth are required.
⚠️ Important Information
- Access: Easy access via Hwy 180. There is a well-maintained boat ramp and a campground on the north side.
- Regulations: Luna Lake is managed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. It often has specific bag limits (usually 2 trout). Always check the current AZGFD fishing regulations, as they can change seasonally to protect spawning fish.
- Weather: Even in summer, temperatures can drop below freezing at night. Bring layers. High-altitude thunderstorms move in quickly in July/August—get off the water if you see lightning.
- Permits: You need a valid Arizona Fishing License. You can purchase these online via the AZGFD website or at the local general store in Alpine.
Guide’s Final Word: Luna Lake is a "thinking angler's" lake. It’s not always easy, but the reward is often the largest Rainbow Trout of your season. Slow down your retrieve, watch your indicator closely, and enjoy the views of the Escudilla Wilderness.
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chironomids (Midges) Family Chironomidae | midge | April, May, September, October | All Day (Peak Morning) | #12-22 | Zebra Midge #16-20, Ice Cream Cone #12-16, Griffith's Gnat #18-22 |
| Callibaetis (Speckled Mayfly) Callibaetis ferrugineus | mayfly | June, July, August | Late Morning/Afternoon | #12-16 | Hare's Ear Nymph #14-16, Parachute Adams #14-16, Callibaetis Spinner #14-16 |
| Damselflies Suborder Zygoptera | other | June, July | Late Morning/Afternoon | #10-14 | Marabou Damsel Nymph #10-14, Adult Damsel #12-14 |
| Scuds (Freshwater Shrimp) Gammarus lacustris | other | March, April, May, October | All Day | #12-16 | Olive Scud #12-16, Orange Scud #14-16 |
| Cinnamon Caddis Family Leptoceridae | caddis | June, July | Evening | #14-18 | Elk Hair Caddis (Cinnamon) #14-16, LaFontaine's Emergent Sparkle Pupa #14-16 |
| Water Boatmen & Backswimmers Family Corixidae/Notonectidae | other | September, October | Afternoon | #14-16 | Water Boatman #14-16, Prince Nymph #14-16 |
| Terrestrial Ants and Beetles Formicidae / Coleoptera | terrestrial | July, August, September | Afternoon | #12-18 | Black Foam Ant #14-18, Peacock Lady Beetle #14-16 |
| Dragonflies Order Odonata | other | July, August | Morning/Afternoon | #6-10 | Dragonfly Nymph (Olive) #8-10, Woolly Bugger #6-10 |