Show Low Lake

Show Low Lake, once and under-funded county park, is now an incredible state resource. It's a sterling example of how private industry and the Game and Fish Department can, and do, work together to improve our resources. Improved camping sites, paved parking and a minimum right of way guaranteed along the lake greet today's angler. Add state Lake Improvement Funds that were allocated in 1990 (an extra $200,000 was spent on this lake, including improvements to the dock), and this is one of the White Mountains' best.

Show Low Lake was originally created in 1951 when Phelps Dodge, one of Arizona's mining giants, purchased a parcel of land near Show Low. At the time, the company needed an additional source of water for its Morenci operation. A dam was built and the water impounded there soon became known as Show Low Lake. Phelps Dodge also entered into an agreement with the Game and Fish Department to manage the resource "in perpetuity" for the good of Arizona. -G.J. Sagi, from the essential travel handbook Fishing Arizona

Attention walleye anglers – Show Low Lake is the best place in Arizona to catch lunker walleye! It has yielded the last five state records, and numerous “Big Fish-of-the-Year Program” walleye catches. Local resident Gregg Munck caught the existing state record walleye here in November 2002. It weighed in at a whopping 16 lbs., 2 ozs. Anglers can also catch trout, catfish, bass and pan fish here.

Show Low Lake has 100 surface acres with an average depth of 33 feet and maximum depth of 50 feet. It’s situated at an elevation of 6,500 feet. The lake maintains good water quality year round, and is stocked with rainbow trout from April through September. The Department occasionally stocks channel catfish. The lake also contains reproducing populations of walleye, largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill and green sunfish.

Trout fishing from the shore is always possible because the lake doesn't’t get weedy. Many trout survive the winter here and can get quite large. Try trolling spinners in early spring to catch one of these fat trout. For stocked trout, try Power Bait or night crawlers. Walleye fishing is best in spring and fall. Try fishing rocky bottom structures or by the dam with crank baits or jigs. Stay in the shallows and fish at dawn or dusk to improve catching odds. For the lunkers, try large crank baits in the shallows or along the shoreline, or bounce a night crawler rig slowly on the bottom. Catfishing can be exciting here. A 32-pound channel catfish was recently caught that threatened the State Record. Fish for catfish on summer or fall nights, using chicken liver, night crawlers or waterdogs as bait. In spring, channel catfish and walleye congregate at the upper end, where Show Low Creek flows into the lake. Small bass and sunfish can be caught with night crawlers in the rocks along the dam. Show Low Lake is open year round. - Arizona Game and Fish

GPS:

Latitude: 34° 11' 6.15" N Longitude: 110° 00' 3.47" W

Phone Numbers for more information::

Alpine Ranger District (928) 339-5000

Road Conditions:

Paved to dirt

Land Ownership:

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Ranger Station/District:

Alpine Ranger District (928) 339-5000

Entrance Fees/Permits:

No unless the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest has it posted otherwise

Elevation:

6540

Max Surface Acres:

100

River Lake Impounds:

Porter Creek

Average Depth:

20 feet

Bag Limit:

The daily bag limit is six trout, six bass (any species), six walleye and 25 catfish for licensed anglers. Trout bag limits are halved for unlicensed anglers under 14. There is no bag limit on bluegill or green sunfish.

Boat/Engine Restrictions:

Electric Trolling motors or 10 horse max gas motors only

Boats to Rent:

Yes

Swimming:

No

Camping:

Along the road into the lake is a 15-site campground. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table, but there are no other amenities. A campground host is present during summer months. Camping is free, but there is a five-day stay limit. Additional camping is available nearby at the Lakeside Campground, located on Highway 260 about ¼-mile west of Porter Mountain Rd. This campground has 82 sites, vault toilets, potable water and firewood for sale. You can make reservations for a site at Lakeside Campground by visiting www.reserveusa.com on the web, or by calling (877) 444-6777. - Arizona Game and Fish

Trailer Spaces:

Yes

Electricity:

Yes

Launching Area:

Yes

Water Skiing:

No

Marinas:

No

Show Low Lake is adjacent to the Show Low Lake Rd., about 1 mile from Highway 260. Access Show Low Lake Rd. from the traffic light between Wal-Mart and Navapache Regional Medical Center Hospital in Show Low. - Arizona Game and Fish