Little Dry Lake Fishing near Mountainaire, Arizona

• Overview

  The Coconino County end of Arizona holds Little Dry Lake. It lies 7,188 feet above sea level. For supplies, Mountainaire is 8.2 miles out. Deer Valley is the closest city, 104 miles away. Neighbouring water: Marshall Lake roughly 0.7 miles, Prime Lake 1 mile, Vail Lake roughly 1.7 miles, Fisher and Fry Lake 1.7 miles and Lower Lake Mary roughly 2.8 miles. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Little Dry Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Fish documented in Coconino County include brown trout, common carp and flannelmouth sucker. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. On Little Dry Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 66°F and January near 28°F. The freeze here is occasional rather than annual. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. The season on Little Dry Lake rarely departs from it. Fish feed harder before a change in weather than after it.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Failing this one, try Marshall Lake, 0.7 miles away. Nothing here settles the position at Little Dry Lake for certain.