At roughly 55 surface acres, Lynx Lake is the largest and busiest lake on the Prescott National Forest. It sits in ponderosa pine country east of Prescott, and the Forest Service manages the surrounding recreation area for hiking, mountain biking, camping, picnicking, and fishing. A loop trail circles the shoreline, so bank anglers can walk to quieter water instead of crowding the day-use lots.
Since December 2024 the lake has been well below normal. The dam's outlet valve stuck open, and the water was drawn down to about 30 feet below full pool so the outlet could be repaired. The lake can only refill through rain and snowmelt, and forest and AZGFD officials expect low water to last for years. Expect a smaller lake than older photos show.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) stocks trout here periodically, mostly in the cooler months with some late-spring plants. Lynx is also on AZGFD's list of hatchery Gila trout waters, and the department has stocked channel catfish in some years. The lake suits families who want shoreline access close to town, and paddlers who don't mind carrying a kayak to the water.
Lake notes updated October 6, 20262 recent scheduled weeks are listed for Lynx Lake. Dates are stocking weeks, not guaranteed same-day plants.
From Prescott, take Highway 69 east and turn south on Walker Road. North Shore is about 2 miles down, past the Lynx Lake Marina and Store. South Shore is about 2.8 miles in, on the left. Its lot has room for trailers, but launching behind vehicles is suspended because the end of the ramp is out of the water.
North Shore has picnic tables, grills, a wildlife viewing scope, and interpretive signs. South Shore adds ramadas and vault toilets. Both sites have drinking water from May through October. The Lynx Recreation Trail (#311) loops the lake, and the Forest Service describes its west side as paved and wheelchair-accessible.
Day-use hours shrink to 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. A portion of the east side is closed to foot and vehicle traffic from Dec. 1 to June 30 to protect a bald eagle breeding area, so plan to fish the west and south shores. Trout stocked in the fall are still present.
Late-winter and spring trout stocking keeps the bite going, and late-spring plants have extended the trout season into May and early June in recent years. Hours lengthen to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in March and April.
The longest hours of the year (6 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and the heaviest crowds. As the water warms, trout fishing is best right at opening and late in the day. Channel catfish, which AZGFD has stocked here, become a better midsummer target.
Cooling water brings the trout bite back, and fall stocking typically resumes in October. Hours drop to 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Statewide bag limits apply at Lynx Lake. Boats are limited to a single electric motor or a single gasoline engine of no more than 10 manufacturer-rated horsepower. Part of the east shore is closed to entry from Dec. 1 to June 30 for bald eagle nesting. Anyone 10 or older needs a valid Arizona fishing or combination license; children under 10 do not. Check the current AZGFD fishing regulations before your trip.
Not from a trailer. The Forest Service has listed the boat launch as temporarily unavailable due to low water since January 2025, and the end of the ramp is out of the water. Kayaks and other small craft can still be hand-launched where the shoreline is firm.
The dam's outlet valve failed in the open position in December 2024, and the lake was lowered about 30 feet below full pool so the outlet could be repaired. It can only refill through natural runoff, and officials have said a full recovery will probably take years.
Yes. The Forest Service says rental boats are available seasonally at the Lynx Lake Store and Marina near the north shore. The Forest Service lists (928) 778-0720 for rental information.
Dates are AZGFD stocking weeks, not guaranteed plant days. How this data is sourced