Kearny Park Lake

Note: please read reviews below: Kearny Park Lake may have a killoff

Strategically located on State Route 177 between Winkelman and Superior, the city of Kearny receives little attention. Of course, that's the way area anglers like it. Kearny Park Lake as their own little-known secret.


AT 13 surface acres, Kearny Park Lake was created after the disastrous flooding of October 1983. After a major portion of the existing park was swept away, officials decided they would create a lake, stock it with fish and charge people to probe the depths with rod and reel.


Unfortunately, monies available to create such a reservoir also carry stipulations that the area must be a public fishery. today, the area is managed by the Kearny Parks Department, and it's the city's only park. There is a day-use-only picnic area, a boat launch and a camping facility with 12 campsites.


The small impoundment doesn't even qualify for the Urban Fishing Program, thanks to a little-known rule regarding city populations. Under that program, a population of 25,000 is required to live nearby, clearly above the combined 20,000 that call Mammoth, Superior, Winkelman and Kearny home.


In other words, Kearny Park Lake is open to anglers who have a current Arizona fishing license. It is stocked rom November to March with catchable-sized rainbow trout. Other species available include largemouth bass, catfish and, of course, sunfish. Boats are allowed on the lake, although motors are limited to electric trolling motors. -G.J. Sagi, from the essential travel handbook Fishing Arizona



Kearny Park Lake suffered from a golden algae problem in 2008 but the Game and Fish have been stocking it with trout. Be sure to check consumption advisory before eating fish on the Game and Fish web site as the lake suffers from water quality issues. Also if your in the area and Kearny Park does not sound that tempting of a fishing hole to you, you can check out the Gila River that runs along the town of Kearny its got bass and catfish.

- Tom

Phone Numbers for more information::

Kearny Parks Department or (602) 789-3701

Restrictions/Season of Use:

Open year round

Road Conditions:

Mostly Paved

Land Ownership:

Kearny Parks Department

Ranger Station/District:

Kearny Parks Department or (602) 789-3701

Elevation:

Desert

Max Surface Acres:

13

River Lake Impounds:

Gila

Average Depth:

Not listed

Bag Limit:

As Posted for bass and catfish

Boat/Engine Restrictions:

Electric Motors only

Camping:

Camping sites suitable for motor homes, campers or tents and picnic ramadas are all in very close proximity to the lake

Launching Area:

Yes

Water Skiing:

No

Marinas:

No

See above article for Directions to Kearny Park Lake