Fishing at Bunch Reservoir, Apache County, Arizona

• Overview

  Apache County in Arizona is where Bunch Reservoir sits. Elevation runs to 8,255 feet. It measures about 81 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. There is roughly 1.3 miles of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. Compared with other Arizona water on our list, it sits high. Eagar is the closest place, 10 miles off. Gilbert sits 143 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Bunch Reservoir

  Depth figures are not published for this one. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Open occurrence data for the surrounding area lists rainbow trout, common carp, brown trout and desert sucker. Records show what people reported, so treat the list as a guide to what lives in the area. Fish Bunch Reservoir to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 62°F in July and bottoms out near 28°F in January. In milder years the surface never sets. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. On Bunch Reservoir the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. This one is mapped as intermittent, so a wasted trip is a real risk in a dry year. A car park sits roughly half a mile away. Overnight stays are possible about half a mile out, where camping is mapped. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Tunnel Reservoir sits 0.6 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position at Bunch Reservoir before loading the car.