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

• Overview

  You will find Soldier Lake in Coconino County, Arizona. It lies 6,778 feet above sea level. With some 158 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. Shoreline comes to about 1.6 miles, small enough to learn in a day. On our Coconino County list it sits near the top for size. Village of Oak Creek (Big Park) is the closest place, 30 miles off. After that come Big Park at 30 miles and Sedona at 31 miles. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Soldier Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Across Coconino County, recorded fish include brown trout, common carp, flannelmouth sucker and bluehead sucker. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. The near bank of Soldier Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 70°F and January near 29°F. Most months fish reasonably, given the right weather. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. It holds true on Soldier Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. If the gate is shut, Long Lake at 1.1 miles is the nearest alternative. Confirm before you fish Soldier Lake.