Angler's & Paddler's Guide: The Best Lakes in the White Mountains
Where to find Arizona state-record walleye, stocked rainbow trout, motorized boat rentals, and glass-calm waters for peaceful morning stand-up paddleboarding.
While most people associate Arizona with arid desert canyons, the White Mountains are home to over 50 alpine lakes, crystal-clear reservoirs, and pristine trout streams. Surrounded by fragrant ponderosa pine forests at elevations between 6,500 and 9,000 feet, these mountain waters stay cool and tranquil all season long.
Whether you want to cast for trophy trout, take the family out on a pontoon boat, or glide across mirror-like waters on a stand-up paddleboard, here is our local guide to the best lakes in the region.
1. Show Low Lake
Size: 150 acres · Boating: 10 HP max · Location: Show Low / Lakeside
Show Low Lake is the undisputed boating and fishing heavyweight of the area. It is famous across the southwest for yielding several Arizona state-record walleye, along with healthy populations of rainbow trout, largemouth bass, and channel catfish.
Check directly with the Show Low Lake operator for current rental options and seasonal availability. Shaded day-use picnic areas and a public fishing dock make it a top choice for families.
2. Rainbow Lake
Size: 116 acres · Boating: Public boat ramp · Location: Lakeside, AZ
Situated right in Lakeside off AZ-260, Rainbow Lake is a scenic residential mountain lake. While much of the shoreline is private, the Arizona Game and Fish Department operates a public boat launch, fishing dock, and parking area on the northwest shore. It's heavily stocked with rainbow trout and offers fantastic bass and catfish angling during summer twilight hours.
3. Woodland Lake
Size: ~100 acres · Boating: Non-motorized only · Location: Pinetop, AZ
Enjoy Woodland Lake Park on foot, with walking loops, picnic areas, disc golf, and birdwatching. Water levels fluctuate, so check current park conditions before a fishing visit. Plan paddling outings at Rainbow Lake instead.
4. Scott Reservoir
Size: ~80 acres · Boating: Electric / Non-motorized · Location: Lakeside (Forest Road)
Tucked just a couple miles north of central Lakeside in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, Scott Reservoir is an oasis of calm. Shaded by dense stands of ponderosa pines and bordered by marshy inlets, it attracts abundant migratory birdlife, bald eagles, and deer.
5. Big Lake (Day Trip)
Size: 450 acres · Elevation: 9,000 ft · Location: 50 min southeast near Mount Baldy
For a true alpine wilderness experience, take the scenic 50-minute drive up to Big Lake. Nestled at 9,000 feet near Mount Baldy, Big Lake is widely considered Arizona's premier trout fishery. Stocked annually with hundreds of thousands of rainbow, brook, and cutthroat trout, it features a full concessionaire, boat rentals, and crisp, brisk mountain breezes.
🎣 Arizona Fishing License Info
Anglers aged 10 and older require a valid Arizona fishing license (available online via AZGFD.com or at local sports shops like Western Drug or Walmart in Show Low). Check current license options and fees directly with Arizona Game and Fish.