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Arizona · Fishing
Taylor, Arizona sits on the Colorado Plateau at around 5,700 feet, which means the fishing here runs cooler and calmer than what you'd find down in the desert basin.
3 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 3 spots
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Taylor, Arizona sits on the Colorado Plateau at around 5,700 feet, which means the fishing here runs cooler and calmer than what you'd find down in the desert basin. The two lakes worth knowing about are Love Lake and Big Dry Lake, both offering lake fishing that suits anglers who prefer a quieter, less crowded experience over the busy reservoir scene. Love Lake is the more prominent option in the local listings, appearing more than once, which tracks with its reputation as the go-to spot for Taylor-area fishing. Big Dry Lake rounds out the options and gives you an alternative when Love Lake has company on the bank. Neither lake is a destination fishery in the way that a gold-medal water would be, but for a half-day outing with a reasonable chance of putting fish on the line, both are worth the drive. The elevation keeps summer water temperatures manageable, which generally means fish stay active longer into the morning than they would at lower-elevation lakes in the state. If you're passing through the White Mountain corridor or based in the Show Low area, Taylor's lakes are a practical add-on rather than a standalone trip, but locals fish them regularly enough that they're worth understanding before you show up.
Both Love Lake and Big Dry Lake are lake fishing destinations, so you're looking at still-water angling from the bank or a small watercraft. There are no river or stream listings in the Taylor area within this scope, so if you're after moving-water fishing you'll need to look further into the White Mountains.
Love Lake shows up more frequently in local fishing listings, which suggests it sees more consistent angler activity and is likely the more reliable option. Big Dry Lake is worth checking if Love Lake is crowded or if you want to cover both in a single day, since they're both in the same general area.
Love Lake
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Alchesay-Williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex
~33 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Davis Dam Camp
~55 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Love Lake
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Black Mesa Ranger District
~44 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Big Dry Lake
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Mexican Lake
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
White Mountain Lake
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
White Lake
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Sink Hole Lake
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Duck Lake
~11 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
Pintail Lake
~11 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AZ.
At Taylor's elevation, early morning is generally your best window before wind picks up on the plateau and surface temperatures rise. Late afternoon can also produce well, particularly in summer when midday heat pushes fish deeper and they move back toward shallower structure as it cools.
Yes, Arizona requires a valid state fishing license for anyone 14 and older fishing any public water, including these lakes. You can purchase a license through the Arizona Game and Fish Department website or at local sporting goods retailers before your trip.
A light to medium spinning setup covers most situations at small plateau lakes like these. Bring a range of options including small spinners, PowerBait-style dough baits, and basic live bait rigs, since stocked lakes in this region typically hold trout and the presentation that works can vary day to day. A valid fishing license, a net, and a cooler if you plan to keep fish round out the essentials.
