Upper Lake Mary

Upper Lake Mary is the largest of Flagstaff's twin lakes. It is also the one farthest from town. This long, narrow impoundment is especially popular with power boaters and water skiers because there is no motor size limit on it. But it's also popular with those who prefer people power or wind power over horsepower. For that reason, you're liable to see everything from jet boats to rubber rafts, canoes and sailboats all sharing this same body of water. A lot of people come here to fish, too. The lake has northern pike, channel cat, crappie and some trout. Lake Mary Narrows Recreation Area provides excellent access facilities for disabled anglers by means of paved lakeshore ramps. Two developed campgrounds, Lake View and Pine Grove are nearby. There are two paved boat ramps at the parking area near the dam, and you'll find a lakeside picnic area and another boat ramp at Lake Mary Narrows Recreation Area in addition to its paved fishing access ramps.- Coconino National Forest

For many visitors to Arizona, which is altogether too often stereotyped as little more than desert, a quality northern pike or walleye fishery seems unlikely. Yet that's exactly what Upper Lake Mary is (8 miles southeast of Flagstaff on Lake Mary Road). In the 1960s, when the lake began to have an overabundance of "trash" fish, the Arizona Game and Fish Department loaded the 600-acre lake with northern pike.

Today, working large red-and-gold spinners (typically larger than bass lures) along the thick weedline can be quite productive. Come to the lake early in the spring or late in the fall when temperatures are still low, and hang onto that rod! -G.J Sagi, from the travel handbook Fishing Arizona

GPS:

Upper Lake Mary boat launch #1: N35° 4’ 21.864”, W-111° 31’ 27.876” Upper Lake Mary boat launch #2: N35° 4’ 16.14”, W-111° 31’ 19.524” Upper Lake Mary Dam: N35° 4' 52.644", W111° 31' 53.3994"

Phone Numbers for more information::

(602) 789 3701 Game and Fish

Restrictions/Season of Use:

Upper Lake Mary is open all year except in winder conditions

Road Conditions:

Paved

Land Ownership:

Upper Lake Mary is owned by the USFS Coconino National Forest

Ranger Station/District:

4773 S. Lake Mary Rd. Flagstaff, AZ 86001 (928) 774-1147

Entrance Fees/Permits:

Fees: $6 per day per vehicle (up to 5 people, $1 per person over 5) 6 am to 6 pm, Monday – Friday, and from dawn to dusk on weekends. $1.00 per walk-in or bicycle for use of the facilities will be charged. These fees will be required during the highest use season, generally mid-April through mid-October. Recreation Resources Management (the Concessionaire for this site) is offering a seasonal pass for $35.00 that will be accepted at Upper and Lower Lake Mary and the Narrows.

Elevation:

6,787 Feet

Max Surface Acres:

600+

River Lake Impounds:

Upper Lake Mary is a Natural Lake

Average Depth:

38 Feet

Bag Limit:

limit 4 catfish

Boat/Engine Restrictions:

There are no engine restrictions on Upper Lake Mary

Swimming:

Yes

Camping:

May 7th to end of September (weather permitting) at Lakeview and Pivegrove Campgrounds.

Electricity:

No

Launching Area:

Yes

Water Skiing:

Yes

Drive 12 miles south from Flagstaff on Forest Highway 3.