Frye Mesa Reservoir

Frye Mesa Reservoir is a small trout lake just outside Stafford on the base of Mt. Graham. The Arizona Game and Fish say that it hold Rainbow, Brown, Brook and currently the Arizona State record Gila Trout.


The lake is located in the Coronado National Forest. On there site it has a short paragraph about the lake that says " When high-elevation Riggs Flat Lake atop the Pinaleños is snowed in and covered with ice, trout anglers who come to the Safford District can still find a place to fish at Frye Mesa Reservoir. Lower winter temperatures and longer winter nights cool the waters of this small body of water surrounded by Sonoran Desert sufficiently, so that the Arizona Game and Fish Department can stock it with rainbow trout.

About a half-mile beyond the reservoir, at the end of FR 103, the Frye Canyon Trail #36 heads out toward the upper slopes of the mountain. If the fish aren’t biting, you can always take a hike. - Coronado National Forest

GPS:

Latitude: 32°45'13.92"N Longitude: 109°50'3.72"W

Phone Numbers for more information::

Tucson Game and Fish (520) 628-5376 or the Safford Coronado National Forest Safford Ranger District (928) 428-4150

Restrictions/Season of Use:

Open in early spring till October

Road Conditions:

Paved to dirt high clearance 2 wheel drive at least

Land Ownership:

Coronado National Forest

Ranger Station/District:

Tucson Game and Fish (520) 628-5376

Entrance Fees/Permits:

Just a valid Arizona Fishing license with a trout stamp

Elevation:

5000 feet

Max Surface Acres:

4 acres on average

Average Depth:

95 ft

Bag Limit:

Six trout is the daily bag limit and the possession limit.

Boat/Engine Restrictions:

No boat allowed at Frye Mesa

Boats to Rent:

No

Swimming:

No

Camping:

Yes

Trailer Spaces:

No

Electricity:

No

Launching Area:

No

Water Skiing:

No

Cleaning Stations:

No

Marinas:

No

Drive northwest from Safford to Thatcher on U.S. Hwy 70. Turn left, (south) on Stadium Street and follow it to Forest Road 103. Drive about 10 miles on FR 103 to Frye Mesa Reservoir. This road is very rough in spots and requires a high clearance type 2-wheel drive vehicle.