Arizona Lake Fishing

Chevelon Lake is an adventure for the true angler and outdoors men. There is a a steep hike to get to the lake which is a nice challenge for the average hiker. Chevelon Lake is not a put-in lake and is best accessed with a float tube or other portable water craft.

Chevelon Lake is a peaceful, beautiful lake that has some of the best brown trout fishing in the state. No noise pollution from motorized boats (open to electric trolling motors or 10 hp gas motors only) is a welcome change to any angler that just loves to hear the sounds of nature and enjoy the environment.

Chevelon Lake was last stocked with 20,000 undersized rainbows in September, making them around catchable size right about now but will be best in a few months and into the spring. Brown trout will spawn this month and will be biting.

Chevelon Lake is an artificial bait and lure lake - no live bait can be used. Try brown streamers, black or green wooly buggers, Yeager buggers, muddler minnows, and semi-seal leeches.

For spin anglers try lures like Z-rays, Super Dupers, spinners and Rapalas.

Fly anglers use wooly worms, wooly buggers and peacock ladies.

Chevelon Lake is a hike-in lake with a steep slope to the shore. Where sturdy hiking boots. Shore fishing is limited. Chevelon Lake is best experienced with a float tube, an inflatable, or a canoe. The lake is open to electric trolling motors or 10 hp. gas motors but there is no boat launch.

The fishing is fair considering there is no live bait allowed; artificial lures and flies only. Any catch between 10 and 14 inches must be released and the bag limit is 6 trout.

For best results: Catch the big browns by getting out over near the dam. The browns like this area because it’s deep and there is a rock shelf they hide under. Throw on a gold or black lure and reel it in slow.

Up at the Mogollon Rim, Chevelon Lake is open, ice free and spilling it’s so full. Chevelon Lake has a few state fishing regulations to keep in mind.

1. Artificial lures and flies only. No live bait.
2. Trout within the 10 - 14 inches range cannot be kept.
3. The bag limit is 6 trout.

Chevelon Lake is open to electronic trolling motors and/or up to 10 hp gas motors. Access is open on Forest Road 169 from the north, via highway 99 from Winslow or via Forest Road 504 from Herber.

The fishing at Chevelon Lake is good to fair with some anglers catching hold over trout that are a nice size. The lake has also been stocked recently with mid-sized trout.

For best results try fishing the creek downstream of the dam. Use lures such as z-rays, super dupers, spinners and Rapalas. For flies, wooly worms, wooly buggers, peackock ladies and prince nymphs seem to be working well. The creek also has the same state fishing regulations.

The lake is full but fishing is only fair. This is a steep trail hike-in lake and is best fished with float tubes or other inflatable water craft.

Artificail lures and flies only with a 6 trout bag limit. Size restriction of trout between 10 and 14 inches may not be possessed and any trout kept outside this slot must be killed immediately and retained as part of the bag limit.

A few rainbow trout can be caught on lures and flies. Try spinners such as Z-rays, Super Dupers, and Rapalas. Try flies such as wooly worms or buggers, semi-seal leeches, peacock ladies, prince nymphs, and zug bugs.

Fly fishing - try dry flies such as Adams, parachute Adams, humpies, and royal wulff.

Chevelon Lake is a great adventure for any experienced angler. It does have a steep 1 mile hike into the lake but offers 6 miles of shore line and fat, healthy brown trout.

Chevelon Lake is 60 miles from Payson off Forest Road 169.

Woods Canyon Lake Loop includes 7 lakes over a 58 mile scenic drive along the Mogollon Rim. Take Forest Road 300 to Forest Road 115 and Ohaco Lookout. From there, take Forest Road 56 to the Forest Road 225 junction and proceed on 225 to Forest Road 34, then Forest Road 100. Turn left to Forest Road 169, then right to Forest Road 300 again. This route provides several scenic vistas to enjoy.

The 7 lakes include:

• Woods Canyon Lake
• Willow Springs Lake
• Black Canyon Lake
• Bear Canyon Lake
• Chevelon Lake
• Knoll Lake
• Blue Ridge Reservoir

With these 7 lakes along Woods Canyon Loop you can enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, wildlife viewing and more.

Sport fishing is a popular activity at any one of these lakes. Several species of fish are available including, rainbow, brook and brown trout as well as largemouth, small mouth and striped bass.

Whatever your favorite outdoor activity, the Woods Canyon Lake Loop has it to offer.