Holden Lake near Williams: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Holden Lake belongs to Coconino County, Arizona. This is open valley country. Surface area is around 31 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. Nearest place of any size is Williams, 3.4 miles away. Parks is 17 miles and Paulden 29 miles. Neighbouring water: Cataract Lake 2 miles, 3.7 miles away is McLellan Reservoir, Lower Saginaw Reservoir 3.7 miles, 4 miles away is Santa Fe Reservoir and City Reservoir 4 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Holden Lake

  No chart reached our records; the first cast is your sounding. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Survey and observation records for Coconino County include brown trout, common carp, flannelmouth sucker, bluehead sucker and green sunfish. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. The shape of Holden Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 68°F, with January the cold end at about 32°F. Temperature moves within a narrow band, and so does the fishing. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Holden Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. Mapping flags this water as intermittent: it can be dry for part of the year, so check before travelling. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Cataract Lake sits 2 miles off and takes the overflow. What applies at Holden Lake may have changed since it was mapped.