Woods Canyon Lake
Fly fishing in Arizona · beginner · Best seasons: spring, summer, fall
Target Species
Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout
About This Water
Mogollon Rim lake with excellent trout fishing. Scenic forest setting with camping.
Fishing Recommendations
Welcome to the Mogollon Rim. As your guide, I can tell you that Woods Canyon Lake is the crown jewel of Arizona’s high-country "Rim Lakes." At 7,510 feet in elevation, it offers a cool respite from the desert heat and some of the most consistent trout fishing in the Southwest.
While it is heavily stocked, the "holdover" fish—especially the Brown Trout—can grow to impressive sizes by feeding on the abundant crayfish and damselfly populations.
🎣 Location Overview
Woods Canyon Lake is a 55-acre canyon-bound reservoir nestled in a thick forest of Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and oak. It is characterized by its long, finger-like coves and steep rocky drop-offs.
What makes this water special is its accessibility paired with its beauty. Unlike the flatter desert tanks, Woods Canyon feels like a true alpine escape. For the fly angler, the lake offers a mix of shallow, weedy bays (perfect for sight-casting) and deep, cool water near the dam where big Browns retreat during the midday sun.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
- Rainbow Trout: These are the primary residents, stocked regularly by AZGFD. They are most active in the top 10 feet of the water column. They cruise the shoreline in schools, especially near the boat ramp and the "Social Coast" (the accessible eastern shore).
- Brown Trout: The "wolves" of the lake. They are less interested in the stocking truck and more interested in eating smaller fish and crayfish. They hold tight to the submerged timber and the rocky cliffs on the lake's western side.
- Brook Trout: Typically found in the cooler, shaded fingers of the lake during the spring and fall. They are opportunistic but can be spooked easily in the clear water.
- Tiger Trout: (Bonus) Woods Canyon is also stocked with Tiger Trout. They are highly aggressive and often hit streamers harder than any other species in the lake.
📅 Best Times to Fish
- Spring (Late April – June): This is prime time. As the ice thaws and the water warms, the trout become incredibly active in the shallows. The Damselfly hatch in June is legendary here.
- Summer (July – August): The "Monsoon Season." Fishing can be tough during the heat of the day. Focus on the first two hours of light and the last two hours. Afternoon thunderstorms often drop the water temperature and trigger a frantic "after-storm" bite.
- Fall (September – October): My personal favorite. The crowds thin out, and the Brown Trout become aggressive as they prepare for their spawning cycle. The colors of the woods are spectacular, and the fish move back into shallow water.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
1. The "Arizona Special" (Stripping Streamers)
The most effective way to cover water here is with a float tube or kayak, stripping leeches.
- Patterns: Simi Seal Leech (Blood Leech, Black/Red, or Peacock), Woolly Buggers (Olive or Black), and Muddler Minnows.
- Technique: Use an intermediate sinking line. Cast toward the shore or submerged logs, let it sink for 5–10 seconds, and use a slow, rhythmic "inchworm" strip.
2. Indicator Nymphing
When the fish aren't chasing, they are feeding on the bottom.
- Patterns: Zebra Midges (size 18–22 in Red or Black), Hares Ear Nymphs, and Prince Nymphs.
- Technique: Set your indicator to 10–12 feet. Woods Canyon has a lot of "midwater" cruisers. If you aren't getting hits, adjust your depth frequently.
3. Dry Fly Action
- Patterns: Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, and Griffith’s Gnat. In late summer, use Hopper patterns near the grassy edges.
- Technique: Target the rising rings during the "evening rise." The water is often glass-calm, so use a long 5x or 6x leader (9–12 feet) to avoid lining the fish.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- The "Rock Wall": The western shore (opposite the store) features steep underwater drop-offs. Big Browns hide in the shadows of these cliffs. If you have a sonar, look for the ledge where it drops from 10 feet to 25 feet—that is the "strike zone."
- The Damselfly Migration: In June, the damselfly nymphs swim toward the shore to hatch. Use a size 12-14 olive damselfly nymph with a slow, twitchy retrieve just under the surface. It can be the most electric fishing of the year.
- Crayfish Patterns: The lake is crawling with crayfish. In the fall, swinging a small, weighted rusty-colored crayfish pattern near the rocky points is the best way to land a trophy Brown.
- Get off the bank: While you can fish from the shore, the best fly fishing is done 30–50 feet out, casting back toward the shore. A float tube is the single best investment for fishing this lake.
⚠️ Important Information
- Access: Paved road access all the way to the lake via Rim Road (FR 300). There is plenty of parking, but it fills up by 9:00 AM on summer weekends.
- Regulations:
- Arizona Fishing License is required (available online via AZGFD).
- Limit is usually 4 trout per day (check current year’s regs for any seasonal changes).
- Boating: Electric motors only. No internal combustion engines allowed.
- Crowd Control: Woods Canyon is the most popular lake on the Rim. If you want peace and quiet, fish on a Tuesday or Wednesday. If you must fish a weekend, be on the water by 5:30 AM.
- Weather: Even in July, the temperature can drop into the 40s at night. Always pack a rain jacket and a fleece.
Guide’s Final Word: Woods Canyon is a "confidence" lake. If the bite is slow, go smaller on your flies and longer on your leader. The fish are there—they just see a lot of lures, so a stealthy fly presentation is your biggest advantage. Tight lines!
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chironomids Chironomidae | midge | April, May, June, September | All Day | #12-22 | Zebra Midge #16-20, Chromie #14-18, Griffith's Gnat #18-22 |
| Callibaetis Callibaetis spp. | mayfly | June, July, August | Late Morning | #12-16 | Callibaetis Spinner #14-16, Pheasant Tail Nymph #14-16, Parachute Adams #12-16 |
| Damselfly Enallagma spp. | other | June, July | Afternoon | #10-14 | Marabou Damsel #10-14, Adult Damsel #12-14 |
| Cinnamon Caddis Hydropsyche spp. | caddis | July, August | Evening | #14-16 | Elk Hair Caddis (Cinnamon) #14-16, Pupa Emerger #14-16 |
| Carpenter Ants Camponotus spp. | terrestrial | July, August | Afternoon | #10-16 | Black Foam Ant #12-16, Chernobyl Ant #10-12 |
| Water Boatman Corixidae | other | September, October | All Day | #14-16 | Water Boatman #14-16, Prince Nymph #14-16 |
| Dragonfly Anisoptera | other | July, August | All Day | #6-10 | Dragonfly Nymph #6-10, Olive Woolly Bugger #8-10 |
| Terrestrial Beetles Coleoptera | terrestrial | June, July, August | Afternoon | #12-16 | Foam Beetle #14-16, Peacock Beetle #14-16 |