Show Low Lake
Fly fishing in Arizona · beginner · Best seasons: spring, fall, winter
Target Species
Rainbow Trout
About This Water
Town lake with convenient access. Stocked trout provide easy fishing opportunity.
Fishing Recommendations
Welcome to the White Mountains of Arizona. As your guide, I’m excited to break down Show Low Lake. While many anglers head to the high country for the smaller streams, Show Low Lake is a premier "big water" destination in the region. At an elevation of 6,500 feet, it offers a distinct alpine experience combined with the accessibility of a managed recreation area.
Here is your comprehensive guide to fly fishing Show Low Lake.
🎣 Location Overview
Show Low Lake is a 100-acre reservoir nestled just outside the city limits of Show Low, AZ. Surrounded by Ponderosa pines, it is a high-desert oasis that stays significantly cooler than the Phoenix valley.
What makes it special: It is one of the most consistent "action" lakes in the state. While it is famous for holding the state record Walleye, fly anglers prize it for its heavy stocking program of Rainbow Trout and its complex underwater topography. The lake features deep channels near the dam, shallow weedy coves on the southern end, and rocky points that provide excellent structure for trout to ambush prey.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
The primary target for fly anglers is the Rainbow Trout.
- Behavior: These trout are a mix of "stockies" and "holdovers." The holdovers grow quite large and become more predatory.
- Feeding Habits: In the spring and fall, they cruise the shorelines looking for Chironomids (midges), Damselfly nymphs, and Scuds.
- Holding Patterns: Look for them along the "drop-offs" where the shallow shelf meets the deep channel. During the day, they retreat to the 10–15 foot depth range but will move into 3–5 feet of water during low-light hours to feed.
📅 Best Times to Fish
Optimal Seasons
- Spring (March – May): This is the prime window. As the ice melts and the water warms, trout become hyper-aggressive. The "Ice-Out" period in March can produce some of the largest fish of the year.
- Fall (October – November): As temperatures drop, trout move back into the shallows to bulk up for winter. The weed beds start to die back, making it easier to fish sub-surface flies without snagging.
- Winter (December – February): Show Low Lake can freeze over. If there is open water (or if you are brave enough to fish through the ice with a fly rod), the fishing is slow but the fish are concentrated near the dam.
Best Times of Day
- Dawn and Dusk: The "Magic Hour" is real here. The wind usually dies down, and you will see "ring-of-rise" activity as midges hatch.
- Overcast Days: Trout feel safer from birds of prey and will roam closer to the surface all day long.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Top Fly Patterns
- Nymphs/Midges:
- Zebra Midge (Sizes 18–22) in black/silver or red/silver.
- Bead-head Pheasant Tail (Sizes 14–18).
- Jojo's Smallie or Hare’s Ear (Sizes 14–16).
- Streamers:
- Woolly Bugger (Sizes 8–12) in Olive, Black, or "Arizona Peacock."
- Simi Seal Leech (The local favorite) in Blood Leech or Canadian Olive.
- Dry Flies:
- Parachute Adams (Size 16–20).
- Griffith’s Gnat (Size 18–22) for midge clusters.
Effective Techniques
- The "Indicator Rig": Suspend a Zebra Midge or Pheasant Tail 4 to 8 feet below a slip-indicator. Cast near the weed edges and let the wind provide the movement.
- Intermediate Sinking Line: This is the "pro's secret" at Show Low Lake. Use a slow-sinking line with a 9ft leader and a Simi Seal Leech. Use a slow, rhythmic "strip-strip-pause" retrieve.
- Float Tube Fishing: Because much of the shoreline is rocky or brushy, a float tube or kayak allows you to reach the "transition zones" where the fish are holding.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- Focus on the Dam: The deepest water is near the dam. On windy days, the trout will congregate here where the water is more stable and oxygenated.
- The "Trout Whistle": This is a local joke for the sound of the AZGFD stocking truck. If the lake has been stocked recently, bright "attractor" patterns like Neon Pink San Juan Worms or Mop Flies work exceptionally well for the first 48 hours.
- Watch the Stairs: There is a set of stairs near the main parking area that leads down to a popular fishing point. Cast parallel to the shore here; trout use this rocky ledge as a highway.
- The Wind Factor: Show Low can get windy in the afternoon. If the chop is high, switch to a heavier streamer and fish deeper. The surface turbulence actually makes the fish less spooky.
⚠️ Important Information
- Access: There is a $5 day-use fee for the Show Low Lake Recreation Area (prices may vary seasonally). There is ample parking, a boat ramp, and a very nice fishing pier.
- Regulations:
- A valid Arizona Fishing License is required for anyone 10 years or older.
- General Arizona trout limits apply (typically 4 trout per day).
- Electric motors or gas motors up to 10hp are allowed, making it very quiet for fly anglers.
- Safety: Always check the weather. High-altitude storms can roll in fast in the White Mountains. If you hear thunder, get off the water immediately.
Guide’s Final Note: Show Low Lake is a "numbers" lake. If you aren't getting bites in 30 minutes, change your depth. In lake fishing, depth is more important than fly pattern. 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 | #12-22 | Zebra Midge #16-20, Ice Cream Cone #12-16, Griffith's Gnat #18-22 |
| Callibaetis (Speckled Duns) Callibaetis pictus | mayfly | May, June, September | Late Morning/Early Afternoon | #12-16 | Callibaetis Spinner #14-16, Hare's Ear Nymph #14-16, RS2 #16 |
| Damselfly Enallagma | terrestrial | June, July | Morning/Mid-day | #10-14 | Marabou Damsel #10-12, Adult Damsel #12-14 |
| Dragonfly Anisoptera | terrestrial | June, July, August | Afternoon | #4-10 | Dragonfly Nymph #6-10, Woolly Bugger (Olive) #4-8 |
| Cinnamon Caddis Hydropsyche | caddis | July, August, September | Evening | #14-18 | Elk Hair Caddis #14-16, Pupa Emerger #16 |
| Scuds (Freshwater Shrimp) Gammarus | terrestrial | April, May, September | All Day | #12-18 | Ray Charles #14-16, Orange Scud #12-18 |
| Water Boatman Corixidae | terrestrial | September, October | Afternoon | #14-18 | Water Boatman #14-16, Prince Nymph #14-18 |
| Terrestrial Ants Formicidae | terrestrial | July, August | All Day | #12-18 | Black Foam Ant #14-16, Cinnamon Ant #16-18 |