Elevation defines Big Lake. At about 9,000 feet in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, roughly 30 miles south of Springerville and Eagar, it is ringed by ponderosa pine, fir, spruce, and aspen broken by high meadows. The Forest Service tells summer visitors to expect afternoon thunderstorms and cool nights.
Its size depends on who is measuring: Forest Service campground pages describe a 450-acre lake, and AZGFD lists 532 surface acres with an average depth of 16 feet. AZGFD ranks it among the White Mountains' best fishing lakes because of its size, productivity, and amenities. Big Lake also tends to keep producing in midsummer, when poor water quality slows other lakes in the region.
The fishery stands apart in two ways. It is built mostly on fingerlings rather than catchables: AZGFD has described stocking an average of about 400,000 two- to three-inch trout a year, mostly rainbows, which then grow in the lake. It also holds four trout species: rainbow, brook, and cutthroat, plus the occasional Apache trout, Arizona's state fish. AZGFD stocked Apache trout here in spring 2026. The state catch-and-release record cutthroat, a 22-inch fish, came from Big Lake in October 2023.
Lake notes updated October 6, 2026No recent official weeks are listed for Big Lake right now. AZGFD may still add this water in a later schedule.
No stocking activity found for this period.
Paved highways go all the way in. From Eagar, take State Route 260 west for 5 miles, turn south on State Route 261 for 29 miles to State Route 273, then go west about 3 miles to the recreation area. From Show Low, the Forest Service route is 42 miles east on SR 260 to SR 273, then about 30 miles south. AZGFD puts the drive from Pinetop at about an hour via SR 260, SR 273, and Forest Road 113.
The Forest Service lists several boating sites around the shoreline, including the marina, North Shore, Railroad Cove, and South Cove. In 2025 the Springerville Ranger District rebuilt and expanded the South Cove parking area and added a new ramp off Forest Road 249F so boaters can still launch in low-water years. The Big Lake Store rents boats and sells licenses, bait, tackle, ice, and groceries. According to AZGFD, it runs long hours in summer, shorter hours in spring and fall, and closes for winter.
Of the five campgrounds, Apache Trout handles big RVs and has 41 full-hookup sites plus showers. Rainbow, the largest, has 165 sites in six loops. Grayling has the most secluded sites, and Brookchar, a 12-site walk-in tent camp, sits closest to the water.
AZGFD says catch rates are best in late April and May, after the ice thaws.
Big Lake usually keeps fishing well when other White Mountain lakes slump, and boat anglers generally outfish shore anglers.
Fishing improves again into fall, and October and November are known for big brook trout. AZGFD says the lake usually freezes again in late November.
AZGFD notes that ice fishing is popular, but the roads can close and the store shuts for the season. Check road and ice conditions before going.
General statewide regulations apply, with a daily limit of 4 trout in any combination. Rainbow, brook, cutthroat, and Apache trout all count toward that one limit. Boats may use a single electric motor or a gas motor of 10 horsepower or less, and live baitfish are prohibited throughout this fishing area. Older guides that mention a six-trout limit or a trout stamp are out of date; special-use stamps are no longer required. Anglers 10 and older need a valid Arizona fishing license; children under 10 do not. Check the current AZGFD regulations before your trip.
Rainbow, brook, and cutthroat trout are the primary species, and most stocked fish are rainbows. Apache trout, Arizona's state fish, show up occasionally; AZGFD stocked some here in 2026.
The roads and facilities are open from spring through fall. AZGFD says access is restricted by snow, generally from December to early April, and the Big Lake Store closes for winter.
Yes. AZGFD says Big Lake is well known for large brook trout in October and November, when the fish spawn and respond to roe or salmon eggs.
Dates are AZGFD stocking weeks, not guaranteed plant days. How this data is sourced