Patrick Pond, Arizona: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Patrick Pond lies in Coconino County, in Arizona. It sits in open valley country. Small enough that any disturbance crosses the whole surface. Most waters listed here for Coconino County are larger. Some 12 miles away sits Heber-Overgaard, the nearest settlement. Further out sit Cibecue (25 miles) and Star Valley (29 miles). It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Patrick Pond

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Fish reported in the area, according to open records, include brown trout, desert sucker and speckled dace. Take it as evidence of what swims here, not a promise for one session. On Patrick Pond the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 66°F and January reads 30°F. In milder years the surface never sets. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. Expect Patrick Pond to follow that timing. Spring warms the shallows first, so start there.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. You can camp 0.9 miles off, which suits an early start. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. If the gate is shut, Black Canyon Lake at 3.4 miles is the nearest alternative. Where Patrick Pond is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.