Northern Arizona's lakes fall into two clusters on the Colorado Plateau. Around Williams, on the Kaibab National Forest, are Kaibab, Cataract, Dogtown and White Horse lakes, plus Santa Fe and City reservoirs, which the City of Williams manages. South and southeast of Flagstaff, on the Coconino National Forest, are Upper and Lower Lake Mary along Lake Mary Road and Ashurst, Kinnikinick and Mormon lakes, plus smaller waters such as Soldier Lake.
Water supply drives the fishing as much as the calendar does. Upper Lake Mary, for example, is fed mainly by precipitation and surface runoff, according to the City of Flagstaff, and in dry years these lakes shrink fast. AZGFD reported Lower Lake Mary completely dry in September 2025, and the Forest Service describes Mormon Lake as the largest natural lake in Arizona only "sometimes," since it can turn to marsh or disappear entirely in drought. AZGFD's northern Arizona reports point to spring and fall as prime trout periods, with warmwater species staying active until water temperatures drop below 60 degrees.
Region notes updated October 6, 2026| Scheduled Week Of | Lake | Region | Species |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 26, 2026 | ASHURST LAKE | Flagstaff Area | Trout |
| Oct 12, 2026 | ASHURST LAKE | Flagstaff Area | Trout |
The four Forest Service lakes near Williams share a concessionaire, a day-use fee and a season that typically runs May through October; White Horse Lake campground closes earlier, on October 15, and walk-in visitors who do not use the facilities are not charged. Boating rules differ by lake. Dogtown and White Horse allow only a single electric motor, while Kaibab and Cataract allow up to 10 horsepower. Kaibab, Dogtown and White Horse share a two-bass limit with a 13-inch minimum.
Upper Lake Mary, about 12 miles southeast of Flagstaff at roughly 6,837 feet, is a long, narrow reservoir with no motor size limit, so anglers share it with skiers and sailboats. It produces northern pike and walleye and holds the state hook-and-line record for channel catfish. Lower Lake Mary is limited to 10 horsepower, and northern pike there must be killed or released immediately. Ashurst Lake, also 10 horsepower, holds the state northern pike record, though AZGFD considers its pike and green sunfish illegally introduced and asks anglers to kill any they catch. Kinnikinick Lake allows 10 horsepower; Soldier Lake is electric only.
No. AZGFD prohibits using or possessing live baitfish on any water in Coconino County, which covers every lake in this region.
It is shallow and depends on runoff. AZGFD reported it dry in September 2025; the day-use area and nearby campgrounds stayed open, but anglers had to look elsewhere until water returned.
Concessionaire campgrounds at Kaibab, Dogtown and White Horse lakes generally operate May through October, with White Horse closing October 15. Reservations open for mid-May stays, and earlier first-come camping depends on weather and staffing.
Dates are AZGFD stocking weeks, not guaranteed plant days. How this data is sourced