Fishing at Tsaile Lake, Apache County, Arizona

• Overview

  Look for Tsaile Lake in Apache County, Arizona. The land about it is rolling hill. It measures some 265 acres, and wind has room to build across it. The whole outline is near 3.0 miles, and most of it is walkable. Size puts it in the front rank of our Apache County list. The closest town, Tsaile, is 2 miles distant. Beyond it, Lukachukai at 9.8 miles and Chinle at 21 miles. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Tsaile Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Reported across Apache County: bluehead sucker, flannelmouth sucker, black bullhead and green sunfish. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. Fish Tsaile Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 26°F to 69°F. The year gives four workable seasons without severe ends. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. The season on Tsaile Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. There is a jetty half a mile off, worth knowing on a busy day. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Fish Pond Lake, 3.7 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Check the current arrangement for Tsaile Lake.