Fishing on the White Mountain Apache Reservation (a.k.a. Fort Apache)

The White Mountain Apache Reservation is also known as Fort Apache. It's located north of the San Carlos Apache Reservation in the White Mountains of Arizona.

The Black River separate the two Indian reservations (indicated by the blue line on the image above).

The White Mountain Indian Reservation consists of 1.66 million acres (over 2,600 square miles). The elevation ranges between 2,600 feet in the Salt River Canyon in the southeast corner to over 11,400 feet at the top of Mt. Baldy. And there are more than 400 miles of streams on the reservation

There are 16 fishing lakes on the reservation along with several streams. Some of the lakes are specialized for fly fishing and catch-and-release only (these are primarily trophy-trout waters).

Fishing on the Apache Reservation

Fishing is open to the public, but a special tribal permit is needed. It should also be noted that these tribal permits are unique to the reservation - so you couldn't fish on the White Mountain (a.k.a. Fort Apache) Indian Reservation using a San Carlos Tribal permit (and vice versa).

The White Mountain Apache Reservation is the only place in the world you can catch Apache trout! These trout were once thought to be extinct due to over-fishing and other competing fish. But thanks to the Apache Trout Recovery team, Apache trout have not only been saved, they're making a comeback!

Some of the fish species you can catch on the reservation include:

• Trout (Apache, rainbow, brook, brown)
• Artic Grayling
• Bass (largemouth and smallmouth)
• Catfish (channel and flathead)
• Bluegill
• Crappie
• Sunfish

The Fish & Game Department used to stock cutthroat trout, but don't any more. But don't be surprised if you come across the odd one or two.

Fishing Permit Fees

There are two types of fishing permits (junior and adult). Kids under 10 years of age, do not need a fishing permit, but do need to be with an adult that does have one.

Kids 10 - 14 years of age, need to have a junior angler fishing permit Everybody else who is 15 years of age or older need an adult permit.

Earl Park is special trophy trout lake. Only fly fishing and catch-and-release is allowed. You're not allowed to use spinning rods/reels or keep your catch.

The daily bag limit is is 5 trout of any combo (rainbow, brown, brook, apache) for many of the lakes. But remember that some fishing areas are catch-and-release only - and still others only allow you to keep 1 apache trout (which must be at least 16 inches in length).

If you plan to take a boat, you'll also need to purchase a tribal boating permit.

Float tubes are allowed on most of the lakes in on the White Mountain Apache Reservation. As long as you don't have a motor on it, you won't need a boating permit (otherwise you will).

Make sure you check the rules of area you're fishing in BEFORE you go!

White Mountain Fishing Spots

All of the lakes, streams and rivers listed below are on the White Mountain Apache Reservation (a.k.a. Fort Apache). Tribal permits are required for fishing, camping and day use. Some of the spots listed below require a special permit which is different than the regular tribal permit.

• Black River
• Bog Tank (no camping)
• Boggy Creek (no camping, catch and release only)
• Bootleg Lake
• Christmas Tree Lake (special permit required)
• Cooley Lake
• Crooked Creek (no camping, catch and release only)
• Cyclone Lake (Rent-a-Lake special permit required)
• Drift Fence Lake
• Earl Park Lake (special permit required)
• Hawley Lake
• Horseshoe Lake
• Hurricane Lake (Rent-a-Lake special permit required)
• Lofer Creek (no camping, catch and release only)
• North Fork White River
• Pacheta Lake (catch and release only)
• Reservation Lake
• Salt River
• Shush Be Tou
• Shush Be Zahze
• Sunrise Lake
• Tonto Lake (Tribal members only)
• White River North Fork at Ditch Camp (catch and release only)

Fish Hatcheries

There are two fish hatcheries on the reservation - and they're open to the public for visitation and tours. Combined, these hatcheries work together to stock over 100,000 apache trout a year into the reservation lakes and streams.

Williams Creek National Hatchery

This hatchery is located about 4 miles south of Hondah and 9 miles east of Hwy 73. It's primarily responsible for gathering and hatching trout eggs. Once they've grown to fingerling size, they are handed over to the Alchesay Hatchery where they continue to grow until planted in reservation waters.

Alchesay Hatchery

This hatchery is located about 9 miles north of Whiteriver, Arizona. It's responsible for raising the trout from Williams Creek National Hatchery and then planting them into reservation lakes and streams.

Special Note

Many areas in the White Mountains get a lot of snow. As a result, there are a lot of road closures in late Fall through early Spring. So some of the lakes and streams in the White Mountains are not open year-round for fishing.

When in doubt, call the Fish & Game Department listed below for information regarding current lake and road closures.

Contact Information

White Mountain Apache Fish & Game Department
P.O. Box 220
Whiteriver, AZ 85941
(928) 338-4385