Big Lake

Big Lake is located about 25 miles south of Springerville, Arizona, in the White Mountains. At 9,000 feet in elevation, the lake offers cool, refreshing  temperatures during late spring, summer and early fall. Considered by many as the best fishing lake in the White Mountains area, its facilities are open mid-April to mid-November.

Big Lake is a popular spot for large brook trout during October and November, and fishing from a boat is more productive than shore fishing. Flies, lures, nightcrawlers, and salmon eggs are permitted.

There are more than 200 fee-based camping sites at Big Lake, two boat ramps, fish cleaning stations, picnic tables, showers, drinking water, a dump station and restrooms with flush toilets. It has a small convenience store that sells limited food, gas, fishing supplies and fishing licenses as well as boat rentals. A visitor center is open during the summer months.

Beginning late November, the lake usually begins to freeze. Access is restricted in the winter (December to April) when roads are closed due to heavy snow.

For more information, visit the official Big Lake website.