You Can Enjoy a Peaceful Fishing Trip at This Beautiful Lake in Arizona

Arizonans looking to visit peaceful areas not too far from cities may have Mogollon Rim, part of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, at the top of their minds. The place is home to a series of lakes, which is just perfect if you want to escape the scorching desert heat. The most frequented among the Rim Lakes is Woods Canyon Lake. It is a secluded spot that gives guests the option to do lots of different activities, such as hiking, kayaking, and camping. It’s also such a popular fishing spot. Keep scrolling to learn more.

Woods Canyon Lake is the Perfect Destination For a Day Trip

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It is a fact that city life can be somewhat stressful. This is why you should allot a day or two communing with nature so you can clear your mind and take care of your mental health. If you are running out of ideas on where to go in Arizona for a relaxing time, you should give Woods Canyon Lake a try. It is a beautiful spot surrounded by a dense forest of pine, fir, oak and aspen. It sits at an elevation of 7,000 feet, so it’s naturally cooler and more refreshing. During summer, temperatures will still be pleasant, and you won’t have to worry about “melting” because of the Arizona heat. However, you should be prepared if you’re coming here during the rainy season, because that’s the time of thunderstorms. You should anticipate rain and cool nighttime temperatures.

This place actually sees a lot of campers because many prefer to enjoy the lake over a weekend. If you want that kind of experience too, you can just camp out at the lake’s campgrounds. You may also follow the Rim Lakes dirt road to the backside of the lake for dispersed camping. There are many wildlife viewing opportunities here, and you can just keep your eyes out for deer, birds (such as bald eagles), squirrels, and elk. Many campers say they mostly have deer, skunks and bears as their campground visitors.

Do you prefer something more adventurous? You can hike the nearby trails and see expansive views of the land beneath The Rim.

There’s Plenty of Trout Fishing Opportunities at Woods Canyon Lake

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What’s a peaceful fishing trip without a fishing activity? Take advantage of the beautiful, canyon bound, deep lake that offers plenty of fishing opportunities. There are actually many catchable rainbow trouts present. You will also find some golden shiners, fathead minnows brown trouts, and goldfishes. The lake becomes stocked during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. You’ll just see hopeful fishers onboard their boats on the lake.

If you don’t have a boat, you can be rest assured that you’ll still be able to fish for trout. There are kayaks, SUPs, and electric powered boats, available for rental at the Lake Store and Marina. They also sell licenses and fishing supplies.

What You Should Know

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• Are you planning to fish here? Please remember that Arizona fishing regulations apply. Anglers must have a valid Arizona Fishing License.
• There is a daily bag limit of six trouts. On the other hand, you can fish for unlimited Bass and Catfish.
• Boat motors are restricted to electric motors only.
• The Woods Canyon Lake is open from April through October as weather permits.
• You can park at the Lake Store’s parking lot for free, but it fills quickly. Come early if you want to secure a spot. If you arrive and it’s already full, you can head over to the overflow parking areas and other lots within the recreational area. The parking fees can cost up to $5, so you better spare some extra cash.

How to Get Here

From Phoenix – only 2 hours away

1. Take State Route 87 and head to Payson, AZ. From there, head East On Highway 260 and continue to the top of the Mogollon Rim.
2. Make a left turn after mile marker 282 onto Forest Road 300. Drive 4 miles of FR 300.
3. Then, take a right on RTE 105.

Note: The Forest Service Roads leading to the Woods Canyon Lake are closed during the winter months. They will be open after snow recedes, which is sometime around April.

Website: http://woodscanyonlakeaz.com/
Location: Coconino County, Arizona