Pacheta Lake

When I first heard the reports I couldn't believe it. A 15-pound, 9-ounce brown trout caught at tiny Pacheta Lake on the White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation in August 1993 came within 14 ounces of eclipsing the old state record. More than a few eyebrows were raised over Pacheta's productivity.

Of course, the reason why I really couldn't believe the report at first was primarily because Pacheta is so far off the beaten path. The lake may only impounds a total of 63 surface acres, but there are 2 miles of shoreline to work, and the waterway plummets to a brown trout-pleasing depth of 28 feet in at least one spot. -G.J Sagi, from the essential travel handbookFishing Arizona

Phone Numbers for more information::

Game and Fish (928)338-4385

Restrictions/Season of Use:

Open all year Stocked first in May

Road Conditions:

Paved to dirt Four Wheel Drive required in Rain or Snow

Land Ownership:

Pacheta Lake is owned by the White Mountain Apache Tribe

Ranger Station/District:

Pinetop Game and Fish (928)3674281

Entrance Fees/Permits:

White Mountains Permit

Elevation:

8173

Max Surface Acres:

63

River Lake Impounds:

Black River, White River

Average Depth:

20+

Bag Limit:

Catch and release only

Boat/Engine Restrictions:

Electric only

Boats to Rent:

No

Swimming:

No

Camping:

Yes

Launching Area:

Primitive

Water Skiing:

No

Marinas:

No marinas at Pacheta Lake

Take Y55 east from Whiteriver and turn east at Y80 another mile to the lake.