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Parker Canyon Lake

Average User Rating:
3.75/5,
Tags. Please type in a Lake Name, Species of Fish etc:
  • This medium-sized 132 acre lake is located in rolling hill country surrounded by distant mountains. For those who like to fish, Parker Canyon Lake offers both cold and warm water species, including stocked rainbow trout and resident bass, sunfish, and catfish. To make landing those wily lunkers a bit easier, there is a fishing pier and a paved boat ramp at the lake, as well as a lakeside paved area and a graveled path along some of the best catfishing shoreline. There is also a concessionaire-operated country store at the lakeshore where you can pick up some last minute supplies, buy a fishing license, or rent a boat.

    Parker Canyon lake was created in 1966 by the Coronado national Forest and the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Despite criticism, the government agencies smoothed the entire bottom of the lake to resemble a huge bowl, and as it turned out, the critics were right. For the first few years the fish didn't do too well from lack of suitable habitat. But the weeds and aquatic vegetation have finally taken hold, and the fishing is usually pretty good. -G.J. Sagi, from the essential travel handbook Fishing Arizona
  • GPS:
    Latitude: 31° 25' 26.4"N Longitude: 110° 26' 56.41"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 - Lake Store for fishing report (520) 455-5847
    Restrictions/Season of Use:
    Open year round
    Road Conditions:
    Mostly Paved
    Land Ownership:
    Coronado National Forest
    Ranger Station/District:
    Tucson Game and Fish (520) 628-5376
    Entrance Fees/Permits:
    There is usually a parking fee, plus a separate fee for the campgrounds
    Elevation:
    The elevation at Parker Canyon Lake is 5400 feet
    Max Surface Acres:
    125
    Average Depth:
    82 ft
    Bag Limit:
    As Posted
    Boat/Engine Restrictions:
    10 horse max
    Boats to Rent:
    Seasonally you can rent electric, 10 horse gas and paddle boats at Parker Canyon
    Swimming:
    Yes
    Camping:
    Yes plenty of campgrounds for tents and trailers
    Barrier free Access:
    Yes
    Trailer Spaces:
    Yes
    Electricity:
    Yes
    Launching Area:
    Yes
    Water Skiing:
    No
    Cleaning Stations:
    No
  • Just two hours southeast of Tucson, Parker Canyon lake offers some of the most varied fishing in the region. It is also home to one of Arizona's biggest controversies. There is an ongoing debate whether to poison or temporarily drain the lake to remedy illegally introduced northern pike-a species allegedly chronically killing stocked trout. Public hearings were held in September 2000, in both Tucson and Sierra Bista, though no decision was rendered at the tim.

    Patagonia Lake may be more popular, but anyone striving to lose the crowd and fish alone should know about Parker Canyon Lake, only a few miles farther southeast.
  • 25 miles southeast of Sonoita in the scenic Canelo Hills. From Tucson, travel east on Interstate 10 to State Route 83 (exit 281) and turn south 50 miles through Sonoita to Parker Canyon Lake.

Recent User Reports and Reviews

  1. Jeff k
    4/5,
    ""
    Date:
    Mar 9, 2017
    The lake is at 2.82 feet below the spillway and there are no problems with launching. Trout stocking is ongoing. For future stockings check the schedule here. The bag limit on white amurs is one fish over 30 inches in length. Anglers are asked to immediately release any smaller amurs that they may catch unharmed. Anglers can also contact the Store at the lake for updates on fishing at (520) 455-5847. Gasoline engines are restricted to 10 hp or less and boaters using gas motors are asked to be courteous and not create wake problems for others boaters.
  2. Report
    3/5,
    ""
    Date:
    Feb 4, 2017
    The lake is 2.76 feet below the spillway. Launching is greatly improved with increased water levels. Trout stocking is ongoing. For future stockings check the schedule here: Winter 2016 - 2017. The bag limit on white amurs is one fish over 30 inches in length. Anglers are asked to immediately release any smaller amurs that they may catch unharmed. Anglers can also contact the Store at the lake for updates on fishing at (520) 455-5847. Gasoline engines are restricted to 10 hp or less and boaters using gas motors are asked to be courteous and not create wake problems for others boaters.
  3. Reports
    3/5,
    ""
    Date:
    Jan 24, 2017
    The lake is 2.76 feet below the spillway. Launching is greatly improved with increased water levels. Trout stocking is ongoing. For future stockings check the schedule here: Winter 2016 - 2017. The bag limit on white amurs is one fish over 30 inches in length. Anglers are asked to immediately release any smaller amurs that they may catch unharmed. Anglers can also contact the Store at the lake for updates on fishing at (520) 455-5847. Gasoline engines are restricted to 10 hp or less and boaters using gas motors are asked to be courteous and not create wake problems for others boaters

User Comments

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  1. Jan Johnson
    Is there availability for a small trailer for camping June 7-10?
    1. HookedAZ
      Try calling the store out there (520) 455-5847
      HookedAZ, Jan 1, 2017