Fort Apache White Mountain Indian Reservation Fishing Information

The White Mountains Fort Apache Indian Reservation is in the center of a lake infested region "The White Mountains" in northern Arizona. Its home to some of the best cold water fishing in the state plus a lot of its lakes and rivers hold the native Apache trout only found in Arizona. There's more to do there than fish including hunting, white water rafting and sight seeing. This article just focuses on the fishing.

Keep in mind if your on the White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation doing anything recreational other than just driving though you will need to get a White Mountains Pass/Permit for the day or a White Mountains Fishing Permit. All of the lakes on this list require one with some special exceptions such as Christmas Tree Lake that requires reservations and a special use permit. Some of these lakes such as Tonto Lake is only open to tribal members. Some of these lakes may be in areas marked as closed due to road conditions or to preserve quality experience. View this map of the White Mountain areas marked closed or special use before you go.

Where to Fish in the White Mountains Reservation

Below is a list of the best places to fish in the White Mountain Apache Reservation. It includes lakes, rivers and creeks. Be sure to read on to the bottom of this page to view permit pricing, permit vendors,bag limit and rules and regulations of fishing the White Mountains, they can be pretty tight.

Keep in mind these listed waters are for the White Mountain Indian Reservation only, NOT White Mountain Region. Although they are part of the White Mountain Region. The White Mountains is also referred to as a region in northeast Arizona with similar elevation and proximity. There are a lot more lakes, Rivers and creeks in the White Mountains region that do not require you to get a "White Mountain Indian Reservation Permit" Those waters are listed on our page White Mountain Region AZ. "coming soon"

A1 Lake

Big Bear Lake
Black River (Special Use)
Bog Tank
Bootleg Lake
Cooley Lake
Christmas Tree Lake (Special Use)
Cyclone Lake
Diamond Creek
Drift Fence Lake
Earl Park Lake (Special Use)
Hawley Lake
Horseshoe Cienega Lake
Hurricane Lake (Special Use)
Pacheta Lake
Reservation Lake
Salt River
Shush Be Tou Lake (Big Bear)
Shush Be Zahze Lake (Little Bear)
Silver Creek
Sunrise Lake
Tonto Lake (Special Use)
White River (Special Use)

White Mountain Fishing Permit Pricing

White Mountains fishing permit vendors, where to get a permit or pass

White Mountains Rules and Regulations

Bag limits on the White Mountains

You can only use one pole on the White Mountains with 2 hooks, that means two fly's or two hooks with worms, in artificial fly and lure areas you cant have live or dead bait on the lure or fly.

You cant catch live bait such as crawfish or waterdogs with nets or traps but you can with a pole

You cant: dig for worms, chum, leave poles unattended, use live bait anywhere, waterdogs cant be used anywhere other than the Black and Salt River, clean fish in the lake, fish from any docks, released fish from a stringer at a later date, make a ice fishing hole bigger that 4.5 inch radius

Reservation Fishing Permits are limited to the taking of GAME FISH ONLY.  Game fish include all species of Trout (Apache trout, Brook trout, and Rainbow trout), Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Bullhead Catfish, Sunfish, and Carp.

Fishing permits do not allow the taking of amphibians, mollusks or crustaceans, except for waterdogs and crayfish (which require a waterdog and fishing permit, respectively). Cray fish may be taken in any manner

For more information contact the White Mountains Game and Fish Department/ WILDLIFE & OUTDOOR RECREATION DIVISION (928) 338-4385