Patagonia Lake

Besides being a favorite for boaters in the southern half of the state, Patagonia Lake is also a fisherman's paradise. In the winter it receives regular stockings of rainbow trout.

Besides the rainbow trout you can also expect to catch catfish, largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish and bluegill. Patagonia Lake stands at an elevation of 4,050 feet above sea level, so despite relatively warm summers, you can expect it to be a few degrees cooler than Tucson.

In patagonia Lake you never know exactly what's tugging at the end of your line. One time, a night fisherman using a seven-inch pumpkin-colored Berkley Power Worm caught a 12-pound, 6-ounce largemouth bass. On another occasion, an angler brought in a 41-pound flathead catfish, proving that there are a lot of big fish in Patagonia lake.

During the fall, Patagonia Lake will often do what's called "tuning"-the water exposed to the colder weather on top will condense, become heavier than the "warm" water on the bottom, and the lake will become turbulent as the water swaps positions. When this happens, you can usually tell as the lake will be severely stained, and it will almost look like someone has stirred a huge soup caldron. Look for lots of moss and weeds floating, and at that time expect the bass to retreat to a depth of 20 or 30 feet and develop a sudden case of lockjaw. -G.J. Sagi, from the essential travel handbook Fishing Arizona

GPS:

Latitude: 31° 29' 37.23"N Longitude: 110° 51' 19.82"W

Phone Numbers for more information::

(602) 542-4174.

Restrictions/Season of Use:

Open all year

Road Conditions:

Paved

Land Ownership:

Patagonia State Park

Ranger Station/District:

Tucson Game and Fish (520) 628-5376

Entrance Fees/Permits:

Yes you pay there

Elevation:

The elevation at Patagonia Lake is 4050 ft feet, Desert/ sonoran terrain

Max Surface Acres:

260

River Lake Impounds:

Sonoita Creek

Average Depth:

90 ft

Bag Limit:

As posted

Boat/Engine Restrictions:

Any Motor size

Boats to Rent:

Yes

Swimming:

Yes

Camping:

Yes

Barrier free Access:

Yes

Trailer Spaces:

Yes

Electricity:

Yes

Launching Area:

Yes

Water Skiing:

Yes

Marinas:

No

I-10 south to Sonoita on the 83 the west on the 82. Use the map above.