Reservation Lake
Fly fishing in Arizona · intermediate · Best seasons: spring, summer, fall
Target Species
Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Apache Trout
About This Water
Fort Apache tribal lake with excellent trout. Permit required for fishing access.
Fishing Recommendations
Welcome to the "Crown Jewel" of the White Mountains. As your guide, I can tell you that Reservation Lake is one of Arizona’s most storied stillwater fisheries. Located at an elevation of over 9,000 feet on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, it offers a true alpine experience that feels more like the high Rockies than the desert Southwest.
Here is your comprehensive guide to fly fishing Reservation Lake.
🎣 Location Overview
Reservation Lake is a high-altitude, 280-acre reservoir nestled in the dense pine and spruce forests of the White Mountain Apache Tribe’s land. What makes this water special is its reputation for producing trophy-sized Brown Trout. Unlike many Arizona lakes that get too warm in the summer, Reservation’s high elevation keeps the water cool and oxygenated year-round.
The lake is characterized by deep channels, rocky points, and significant submerged timber—especially near the dam and the northern arms. It is a "working" lake, meaning water levels can fluctuate, but its productivity remains remarkably high due to a rich biomass of scuds, leeches, and damsel nymphs.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
- Brown Trout: The primary draw. These are not your average stockers; the lake holds the previous state record for Brown Trout. They are predatory and territorial. They hold deep during the day but move into the shallows and near submerged logs to hunt at dawn, dusk, and during overcast periods.
- Apache Trout: Arizona’s state fish. These beauties are identifiable by their golden hues and "masked" eyes. They are often found cruising the shorelines and near the inlet areas where the water is coldest.
- Rainbow Trout: Generally more active and willing to take a fly. They frequent the middle-column of the lake and are often found rising during midge or mayfly hatches.
📅 Best Times to Fish
- Optimal Seasons:
- Spring (Late May – June): Ice-out is the magic window. As the ice recedes, hungry trout move into the shallows to feed aggressively.
- Fall (September – October): This is "Trophy Season." As the Brown Trout prepare for their spawn, they become extremely aggressive and move into shallower water.
- Best Times of Day: Low light is your best friend. The first two hours of light and the final hour before dark are the prime windows for big Browns.
- Prime Conditions: A "choppy" surface (the "Apache chop") is ideal. A dead-calm surface makes the fish wary, while a bit of wind helps mask your leader and movement.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
To be successful at Reservation Lake, you must be prepared to fish different parts of the water column.
1. Streamer Stripping (The Big Brown Strategy)
This is the most effective way to target the monsters.
- Patterns: Simi Seal Leeches (Black/Red, Olive, Peacock), Woolly Buggers (Size 6-10), and Sculpin patterns.
- Technique: Use an intermediate sinking line or a Type 3 sink tip. Cast toward submerged timber or rocky drop-offs, let it sink, and use a "strip-strip-pause" retrieve.
2. Indicator Nymphing (Stillwater Style)
- Patterns: Zebra Midges (Size 18-22 in red or black), Bloodworms, and Prince Nymphs.
- Technique: Suspend your flies 6–12 feet under a slip-indicator. Fish near the weed edges or the dam face.
3. The Damsel Hatch (Mid-Summer)
- Patterns: Marabou Damsel Nymphs (bright olive).
- Technique: When the damselflies begin migrating toward the shore to hatch, fish a long leader with an unweighted damsel nymph and a slow, rhythmic twitch.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- The "North Arm" and Inlets: Focus on the northern end of the lake where the primary stream enters. The moving water brings in oxygen and nutrients, making it a hotspot for Apache Trout.
- Fish the Wood: If you aren't losing a fly occasionally, you aren't fishing where the Browns are. They live inside the submerged timber. Use 3X or 4X fluorocarbon tippet to ensure you can pull them away from the logs quickly.
- The "Simi Seal" Secret: In Arizona stillwaters, the Simi Seal Leech is king. If you only have one fly, make it a peacock-colored Simi Seal with a blood-red bead head.
- Float Tubes are Best: While you can fish from the bank, a float tube or kayak allows you to reach the timber lines and drop-offs that are inaccessible by foot.
⚠️ Important Information
- Permits (Critical): Arizona State Fishing Licenses are NOT valid here. You must purchase a White Mountain Apache Tribal Fishing Permit. These can be bought online (wmatoutdoor.org) or at shops in Pinetop-Lakeside.
- The Road: The road to Reservation Lake (Indian Route 116) is roughly 19 miles of dirt/cinder. It can be incredibly washboarded and rough. High-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended; after heavy rain, 4WD may be necessary.
- Weather: At 9,000 feet, afternoon thunderstorms are common and dangerous. If you see clouds building or hear thunder, get off the water immediately.
- Camping: There is a developed campground at the lake (tribal permit required). It is primitive but beautiful. Be "Bear Aware"—this is prime Black Bear country.
Guide’s Final Word: Reservation Lake rewards patience and persistence. You might go hours without a hit, but when that rod finally doubles over, it could very well be the largest Brown Trout of your life. Tight lines!
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chironomids (Midges) Chironomidae | midge | May, June, September | All Day | #12-22 | Zebra Midge #16-20, Ice Cream Cone #12-16, Griffith's Gnat #18-22 |
| Callibaetis (Speckled Duns) Callibaetis ferrugineus | mayfly | June, July, August | Late Morning/Afternoon | #12-16 | Parachute Adams #14-16, Pheasant Tail Nymph #14-16, Callibaetis Spinner #14-16 |
| Damselflies Enallagma | terrestrial | June, July | Late Morning/Afternoon | #10-14 | Marabou Damsel Nymph #10-12, Adult Damsel #12-14, Sheep Creek Special #10-14 |
| Scuds (Freshwater Shrimp) Gammarus | midge | May, June, October | All Day | #12-16 | Ray Charles #14-16, Olive Scud #12-16, Flashback Scud #14-16 |
| Traveling Sedge (Caddis) Hesperophylax | caddis | July, August | Evening | #8-12 | Elk Hair Caddis #10-14, Goddard Caddis #8-12, Pupa Emerger #12-14 |
| Grasshoppers Melanoplus | terrestrial | August, September | Afternoon | #8-12 | Hopper Juan #10-12, Dave's Hopper #8-12, Parachute Hopper #10-14 |
| Water Boatmen Corixidae | terrestrial | September, October | All Day | #14-18 | Water Boatman #14-18, Prince Nymph #14-18, Backswimmer #12-16 |
| Black Ants Formicidae | terrestrial | July, August | Afternoon | #14-20 | Black Foam Ant #14-18, Cinnamon Ant #16-20, Flying Ant #14-16 |