Upper Lake Mary is both a city water supply and a playground. Flagstaff draws its surface water mainly from this reservoir and blends it with groundwater from area wells. The Forest Service calls it the larger of Flagstaff's twin lakes and notes its popularity with power boaters. The City of Flagstaff built the earthen dam in 1941 and raised it about 10 feet in 1951. A 2024 U.S. Geological Survey study measured about 954 surface acres at full pool across a 5.7-mile length, narrowing to roughly 326 feet at its slimmest.
The fishery is nothing like Prescott's trout lakes. AZGFD reports center on northern pike and walleye, with yellow bass, black crappie, and a few largemouth and smallmouth bass, the descendants of AZGFD stockings in 1935, 1942, and 1951. AZGFD credits the lake with the state hook-and-line record channel catfish and the catch-and-release length record northern pike. Recent department reports for this lake do not discuss trout stocking.
Low water has defined recent seasons. AZGFD describes launching as challenging, and in summer 2026 it reported water above the Narrows only one to two feet deep. The upside is that fish are more concentrated, and anglers are catching the lake's scarce bass more often.
Lake notes updated October 6, 2026No recent official weeks are listed for Lake Mary Upper right now. AZGFD may still add this water in a later schedule.
No stocking activity found for this period.
Lake Mary Road runs about 12 miles from Flagstaff to the main Upper Lake Mary site. It has a paved lot, two boat launches, picnic tables, grills, and first-come, first-served ramadas. About a mile farther, the Lake Mary Narrows site is day use only, with gates closing at dusk, and has its own launch. Neither site has potable water.
At current levels, the Forest Service recommends only the south ramp for motorized boats, and the north courtesy dock is out of the water. Launch one boat at a time and use four-wheel drive below the concrete. Smaller boats on short trailers launch most easily. Kayaks and paddleboards can use either ramp or the Narrows. A Forest Service order in effect through Jan. 1, 2027 bans camping along the Lake Mary corridor, allows fires only in provided structures, and limits use of docks and ramps to one hour.
Northern pike and walleye become active as the water warms after ice-off. Spring snowmelt supplies most of the reservoir's inflow, so lake levels depend heavily on winter snow.
The main launches are open, but low water makes launching difficult, and the upper end above the Narrows can be very shallow. Pike, walleye, and the occasional bass are all possible. Power boaters and water skiers share the lake, so fish early.
AZGFD has reported good walleye and some crappie on lures and nightcrawlers in early fall, as the boating crowds thin out.
The Narrows launch closes for winter, while the main launches have stayed open. Ice may be present. AZGFD notes that cold water pulls walleye and pike into the shallows near shore.
Statewide limits apply to all species at Upper Lake Mary, including six walleye and unlimited northern pike, which must be killed or released immediately. Fishing is closed in the posted area right above the dam. Live baitfish are prohibited on all Coconino County waters, and the lake has no motor size limit. Anglers 10 and older need a valid Arizona fishing or combination license, and children under 10 do not. Read the current AZGFD regulations before your trip.
Recent AZGFD fishing reports describe Upper Lake Mary as a northern pike and walleye fishery and do not mention trout stocking. Check the current AZGFD stocking schedule before planning a trout trip.
No. The Forest Service notes that Upper Lake Mary has no motor size limit, which is why it is popular with water skiers. Lower Lake Mary, by contrast, is limited to 10 horsepower.
Not on the Forest Service lands along the lake right now. A Coconino National Forest order in effect through Jan. 1, 2027 prohibits camping in the Lake Mary area.
Dates are AZGFD stocking weeks, not guaranteed plant days. How this data is sourced