The White Mountains hold one of the better trout fisheries in the Southwest, and it's a genuine reason families return every summer rather than a footnote to the scenery. The high country is dotted with lakes at multiple elevations — from in-town reservoirs a few minutes off the highway to cold, high-plateau lakes near 9,000 feet — plus creeks fed by snowmelt, giving anglers a wide spread of water to choose from depending on how far they want to drive and what they're targeting.
This guide walks through the main lakes by rough category, the species you'll find, and the permit situation, which is more complicated here than in most of Arizona because a meaningful share of the water is on White Mountain Apache tribal land. For lodging near the lakes, see our White Mountains travel guide, and for the trail network that connects several of these waters, see our hiking and trails guide.
Permits: State License vs. Tribal Permit
Not every White Mountains lake takes the same permit. Waters like Show Low Lake, Fool Hollow, Woods Canyon, and most Rim-country lakes fall under a standard Arizona state fishing license. But a substantial amount of the region's best water — including areas on and near the Fort Apache Indian Reservation — is White Mountain Apache tribal land and requires a separate Tribal fishing permit, not a state license. Confirm which applies to your specific lake before you go; buying the wrong permit (or none) is one of the most common mistakes visiting anglers make here.
The High-Plateau Lakes: Big Lake & Crescent Lake
Up near 9,000 feet, Big Lake and neighboring Crescent Lake are widely regarded as the marquee trout waters in the White Mountains — cold, productive, and set in classic high-country pine and meadow terrain with Forest Service campgrounds nearby. The elevation keeps water temperatures down through the summer, which is part of why the fishing here tends to hold up better in July and August than at lower, warmer lakes. Because they sit so high, both lakes can remain snowbound into late spring in a heavy snow year — check current road and lake-access status before planning an early-season trip, and expect the most reliable window to run from late spring through fall. [Verify current boating restrictions, campground reservations, and any horsepower limits directly with the Forest Service before you go.]
The In-Town Lakes: Show Low Lake & Fool Hollow
Closer to services, Show Low Lake and the larger Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area sit just minutes off the US-60/SR-260 junction in Show Low, making them the easiest lakes in the cluster to reach for a quick evening trip or a family outing without a long drive. Both are stocked and popular for shore fishing as well as small boats and kayaks; Fool Hollow in particular has a developed recreation area with a campground. These are the practical choice if you're staying in Show Low itself and don't want to commit a whole day to driving up to the high plateau. [Verify current stocking schedule, boat-launch access, and any seasonal fees with Arizona Game and Fish or the recreation area directly.]
The Mogollon Rim Lakes: Woods Canyon & Willow Springs
Out along the Mogollon Rim, Woods Canyon Lake and Willow Springs Lake draw a dedicated following, both for the fishing and for the scenery of the Rim itself. Woods Canyon in particular is a popular family destination with a developed campground and a reputation as one of the more scenic lakes in the region, set in a pine-forest bowl below the Rim's edge. These lakes are reached off the Rim Road corridor rather than through the main Show Low/Pinetop cluster, so factor in extra drive time if you're combining a Rim lakes trip with the rest of a White Mountains itinerary — our scenic drives guide covers the broader Rim-country road network.
Species & Stream Fishing
Arizona Game and Fish stocks most of the accessible White Mountains lakes with rainbow trout, and many also carry brown and brook trout. The region is additionally one of the strongholds for the native Apache trout, a species found almost nowhere else and the product of a long-running conservation and recovery effort — anglers who land one are catching a genuine Arizona conservation story. Beyond the lakes, cold creeks fed by mountain snowmelt add stream fishing to the mix; the Little Colorado River headwaters near Greer are a well-known example, running clear and cold through the meadow country around the village.
Stocking schedules and species availability shift through the season and from year to year, so treat any specific species claim as a general pattern rather than a guarantee for your exact trip dates — check current Arizona Game and Fish stocking reports, or Tribal fish-and-wildlife updates for reservation waters, before you go.
Guided Fishing & Outdoor Tours in the White Mountains
Guided fishing outings, lake excursions, and other outdoor experiences across the high country — hand-picked from Viator. Affiliate disclosure.
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More White Mountains Guides
Hiking & Trails
The White Mountains Trail System and Mount Baldy trails, which link several of these lakes on foot.
TrailsGreer, Arizona
The alpine village at the Little Colorado headwaters — stream fishing and the closest base to Big Lake.
Alpine VillageScenic Drives
The Rim Road and the approach drives that connect the high-plateau and Rim-country lakes.
Road TripSkiing & Snow
The same high country's winter half — Sunrise Park Resort and snow play near Greer.
WinterFrequently Asked Questions
What is the best lake for fishing in the White Mountains?
There isn't one single best lake — it depends on what you want. Big Lake, up on the high plateau near 9,000 feet, is generally considered the marquee trout water for its size, cold water, and campground infrastructure. Show Low Lake and Fool Hollow Lake are the easiest to reach, minutes off the highway in town, which makes them the practical choice for families or a quick evening trip. Woods Canyon Lake, out on the Mogollon Rim, is a favorite for its scenery and accessibility from the Rim Road.
What kind of trout are in the White Mountains lakes?
Arizona Game and Fish stocks most of these waters with rainbow trout, and many also hold brown and brook trout. The region is also one of the strongholds for the native Apache trout, a conservation success story found in relatively few places. Species mix varies by lake and by season, since stocking schedules change — check current stocking reports before you go if you're targeting a specific species.
Do I need a permit to fish in the White Mountains?
It depends on the water. Lakes like Show Low Lake, Fool Hollow, Woods Canyon, and most of the Rim lakes fall under standard Arizona state fishing license rules. However, a significant amount of water in the region — including areas on or near the Fort Apache Indian Reservation — is White Mountain Apache tribal land and requires a separate Tribal fishing permit rather than a state license. Confirm which category a specific lake or stream falls into before you fish it.
When are the high-elevation lakes accessible?
The higher lakes, particularly Big Lake and Crescent Lake near 9,000 feet, can be snowbound well into spring and are typically most reliably open from late spring through fall. Lower lakes near Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside are accessible earlier and later in the year since they sit at a lower elevation. Road access to the high lakes can also be seasonally limited — check current Forest Service road status before planning a spring or late-fall trip to the high plateau.
Is ice fishing possible in the White Mountains?
In a cold enough winter, some of the higher lakes can ice over enough for ice fishing, and it does happen in the region in some years. Ice thickness and safety vary considerably winter to winter and even week to week, so this isn't something to plan around in advance — check current, specific ice conditions and any local guidance immediately before going out, and never assume ice is safe based on a prior trip or a general seasonal expectation.
