Allen Lake Fishing near Parks, Arizona

• Overview

  Allen Lake sits in Coconino County, out in Arizona. The land about it is rolling hill. Parks is the closest town at 16 miles. Then Williams, 17 miles, and Flagstaff, 30 miles. Not far off: Smoot Lake sits 2.2 miles out, Horse Lake (3.6 miles), Howard Lake sits 5.5 miles out, Fay Lake (6.7 miles) and Moritz Lake sits 7.8 miles out. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Allen Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. County-wide records name brown trout, common carp and flannelmouth sucker. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. On Allen Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 68°F in July and bottoms out near 31°F in January. The season stretches long at both ends here. Cover comes and goes, so treat it with suspicion rather than trust. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. That is the shape of the year on Allen Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. Records show it does not hold water year-round. Public data shows nothing built here, so treat the whole approach as informal. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. If the gate is shut, Smoot Lake at 2.2 miles is the nearest alternative. Rules at Allen Lake are worth checking on the day.