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Arizona · Fishing
The Mormon Lake area sits at roughly 7,000 feet in the Coconino National Forest south of Flagstaff, and the fishing here is almost entirely still-water — a dense cluster of lakes, tanks, and small impoundments spread across ponderosa pine country.
21 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 21 spots
The Mormon Lake area sits at roughly 7,000 feet in the Coconino National Forest south of Flagstaff, and the fishing here is almost entirely still-water — a dense cluster of lakes, tanks, and small impoundments spread across ponderosa pine country. Mormon Lake itself is the largest and most well-known, but the surrounding waters tell a different story: smaller spots like Ashurst Lake, Youngs Lake, and Potato Lake often fish better and see far less pressure. The tanks — Dry Lake Tank, Horse Tank, Tonys Tank, Chilson Tank, and others — are the kind of places locals drive past tourists to reach, and they can hold surprisingly good numbers of fish for their size. Most of these waters are accessible by passenger car or a short walk, though a few of the more remote tanks reward anglers willing to navigate a dirt road. The fishery here is primarily warmwater and stocked trout depending on the water and season, and conditions shift noticeably with elevation and weather. If you're planning a trip, it's worth knowing which waters are currently holding fish before you commit to a single spot — having 21 options within a short drive of each other is one of the genuine advantages of fishing this corner of Arizona.
The lakes and tanks in this area are stocked with rainbow trout by Arizona Game and Fish, particularly in cooler months when water temperatures support them. Warmwater species including largemouth bass and catfish are present in some of the larger impoundments. Check the AZGFD stocking schedule before your trip, as smaller tanks can go unstocked for stretches at a time.
Ashurst Lake is a consistent producer and tends to hold fish well into the season. Youngs Lake and Potato Lake are smaller but worth checking, especially early in the morning. The tanks — Chilson Tank, Tonys Tank, Horse Tank, and others — are easy to overlook but can fish well after stocking events or following good monsoon rains that refresh water levels.
Dairy Springs
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Pinegrove
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Cave Spring
~33 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Ducksnest Lake
~1 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Pine Flat Campground West
~33 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Mormon Lake
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Manzanita.
~33 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Corner Lake
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Crescent Moon Ramada
~43 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
V J Tank
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Indian Lake
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Corral Tank
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Also worth it near here
Lake fishing
Mormon Lake, AZ
Lake fishing
Mormon Lake, AZ
Lake fishing
Mormon Lake, AZ
Lake fishing
Mormon Lake, AZ
Lake fishing
Mormon Lake, AZ
Lake fishing
Mormon Lake, AZ
Lake fishing
Mormon Lake, AZ
Lake fishing
Mormon Lake, AZ
Lake fishing
Mormon Lake, AZ
Lake fishing
Mormon Lake, AZ
Lake fishing
Mormon Lake, AZ
Lake fishing
Mormon Lake, AZ
Lake fishing
Mormon Lake, AZ
Lake fishing
Mormon Lake, AZ
Lake fishing
Mormon Lake, AZ
Lake fishing
Mormon Lake, AZ
Spring and early summer are the most productive for trout before water temperatures climb. The monsoon season in July and August can muddy some of the smaller tanks but also triggers feeding activity. Fall brings cooler temps and often another round of stocking, making September and October a solid window before the area sees snow.
A valid Arizona fishing license is required for anyone 10 years of age or older. Most of these waters fall within Coconino National Forest, so no additional forest permit is needed just to fish, though some trailhead parking areas may require a Red Rock Pass or equivalent — confirm current requirements with the Coconino National Forest before you go.
A light to medium spinning rod in the 6- to 7-foot range covers most situations across these still-water fisheries. For stocked trout, PowerBait, small spinners, and fly-and-bubble rigs all work. If you're targeting bass in the larger impoundments, soft plastics and small crankbaits are practical choices. Waders are rarely necessary since most of these waters have accessible banks.
