Arizona's Top Five

These Are Recommended As Summer Temps Continue Into Fall - By Nick Walter For AZGFD

Sun sweats, triple-digit fidgets, dog days - they seem to make most outdoors lovers crave cool times in the high country.

Some of the best family camping and fishing options include waters with stocked or self-sustaining fish, quality camping amenities, and striking scenery. Those factors were used by AZGFD fishing report editors and regional staff to determine this list.

Be sure to check the latest fire restrictions.

Reserve Ahead

It's a good idea to reserve a campground in advance if possible, but if you're looking for a walk-in site, consider booking your spot before you start fishing. Finally, please remain vigilant with fire safety, and also be safe with summer monsoon storms - get off the water when you hear lightning, watch out for flash flooding, and don't forget to bring a few extra layers and a rain jacket to stay comfortable in the mountain cold.

Okay, here is this year's top-5 list of family camping and fishing spots. See the video and expanded information below and at https://fishaz.azgfd.com/fishingwaters/top-5-family-camping-and-fishing-spots-for-this-august/; also find them on our updated Fish & Boat AZ map.

Are any your favorites?

5. Ashurst Lake

Doug Avakian caught a three-pound rainbow trout from Ashurst Lake southeast of Flagstaff in June from a boat on a Kastmaster. At 7,113 feet in elevation, this 229-acre lake southeast of Flagstaff has good shoreline access, wide-open water for boat anglers, and has had great summer fishing. Anglers have been catching trout on the lake using PowerBait and lures.The fish are moving deeper as the water warms. Try flies or lures to catch the bigger trout. Bait anglers fishing worms under a bobber have been catching some fish.

Good Shoreline Fishing

There is a boat ramp and 50 single-unit campsites (25 at each of two campgrounds on both sides of the lake) with tables, fire rings, cooking grills, plus drinking water and vault toilets. A seasonal store typically operates out of a trailer from late spring to early September. Don't forget your crayfish traps - the lake is full of "mudbugs". Ashurst Lake has good shoreline fishing options.

4. Bear Canyon Lake

Bear Canyon Lake has great water quality and has been stocked with extra rainbow trout. Bear Canyon has good water quality (due to its max depth of 50 feet), appears to be near full, and as of mid-July had no fire restrictions. Plus, we added an additional 3,000 fish to the already scheduled 2,000 catchable rainbow trout that were stocked.

Bring Boats To Carry

There's no public boat launch, so the only option at this walk-in lake is to bring "carryable" boats. There is only dispersed camping in the nearby forest, but you don't have to pay fees in order to camp. Be sure to be "Bear Aware" with bear activity rising statewide.

3. Fool Hollow Lake

Fool Hollow Lake State Park has some of the best camping amenities in the state. Don't be fooled: this is an excellent fishery for getting the family into the outdoors and onto sunfish and mudbugs (crayfish). Fool Hollow Lake State Park has excellent family fishing amenities such as clean and spacious campgrounds, picnic areas and fishing piers. The lake nearly reached full pool and both boat ramps are in good condition.

Kids Can Catch Sunfish

Kids can catch sunfish off piers and over rocky shoreline areas using No. 12 hooks and small pieces of worms. Crayfish can be trapped here as well. The lake has self-sustaining populations of largemouth and smallmouth bass, sunfish, walleye, carp, catfish, black crappie and black bullhead that are easy for kids to catch (try a simple worm on the bottom). Fishing also is good for 12-inch stocked rainbow trout - try fishing at least 10 feet deep.

2. Big Lake

Big Lake is known for big trout. It's an Arizona summertime family staple.Cutthroats have been biting on and off, and there are plenty of rainbow trout along with lots of crayfish for kids if the trout are not biting. The best part may be the excellent and plentiful campground amenities. There are two subspecies of cutthroat at Big Lake: Snake River finespot cutthroat, which are more commonly caught in Railroad Cove and prefer dry flies or nymphs, especially in the mornings and evenings, and Bonneville cutthroat, which are behaving more like rainbows and cruising along the bottom or several feet off bottom.

Try Trolling

Trolling should be effective for both rainbows and Bonnevilles.Shore-angling is still an option, but as the summer goes along, you might want a boat (rentals are available at the store) because most trout will be deep.Trolling from a boat is the most productive method during the summer. If shore fishing, get out early or late in the day, and take cover in your vehicle or camp during monsoon/lightning storms.

1. Woods Canyon Lake

Woods Canyon Lake near Payson is an ideal to cool off from the summer heat and catch fish. The Arizona nerve center of friends, families, fishing, and camping, Woods filled and spilled, has a newly paved parking lot and road leading to the boat ramp, and has been stocked with tiger trout. Along with nearby Willow Springs Lake, Woods has been scheduled to be loaded with rainbow trout weekly.

Forest Lakes Lodge

For families that don't enjoy camping in a tent or camper during the summer monsoon storms, the closest lodging is at Forest Lakes Lodge, just 11 1/2 miles away on Highway 260. A little tip: refuel your automobile at the Rim Resort Filling Station, just a mile east of the Forest Lakes Lodge on Hwy 260. Call 928-535-9682 to ensure it's open. At this small town station, the pumps are "old school". Back to fishing. For a novice angler – or for a kid's first fish – try putting a small piece of a worm on a small hook (No. 12 or smaller) and dangle it in shallow water between rocks for sunfish. Don't forget about catching crayfish, too.The best bet for anglers with boats or kayaks the Woods Canyon Lake.

Boat And Paddlecraft Rentals

Store has boat and canoe/kayak rentals and necessary camping amenities) is to hit the water just before sunrise and troll, or slowly work, small in-line spinners 15 feet deep. Any deeper, and you're typically fishing below the thermocline where during the summer there is no oxygen.Anglers could have no problems getting a six trout daily bag limit or hooking into a rod-rattling tiger trout.