Fishing at Horse Lake, Coconino County, Arizona

• Overview

  Horse Lake lies in Coconino County, Arizona. What surrounds it is open valley. About 6 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Most waters listed here for Coconino County are larger. Supplies mean a trip to Parks, 15 miles off. The nearest city of size is Deer Valley, 124 miles away. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Horse Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Survey and observation records for Coconino County include brown trout, common carp, flannelmouth sucker, bluehead sucker and green sunfish. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Fish Horse Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 68°F, the coldest about 31°F. The freeze here is occasional rather than annual. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. That shapes the year on Horse Lake. Sudden cold puts fish down faster than sustained cold does.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Records show it does not hold water year-round. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Should this one be busy, Allen Lake is 3.6 miles off. Check the position at Horse Lake before loading the car.