Horse Lake in Coconino County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Horse Lake lies in Coconino County, Arizona. Farm and woodlot runs right down to the water. At about 73 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. Mountainaire at 11 miles is the nearest place to stop. Further out sit Kachina Village (13 miles) and Flagstaff (14 miles). The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Horse Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. 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. Species logged across Coconino County include brown trout, common carp, flannelmouth sucker and bluehead sucker. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Anyone new to Horse Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 67°F and January near 28°F on the long-run figures. A lid forms in a hard winter only. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. Horse Lake fishes to that pattern most years. A steady wind fishes better than a still, bright day.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. Records show it does not hold water year-round. Expect a half a mile walk in from where the car goes. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. The nearest alternative is Youngs Lake, 1.5 miles out. Treat access at Horse Lake as something to verify.