Show Low Lake, AZ

About Show Low Lake

Show Low Lake is a small, scenic high-country reservoir tucked into the pines of Arizona's White Mountains, just south of the city of Show Low at roughly 6,500 feet of elevation. Covering around 100 acres when full, it is modest in size but punches well above its weight as a fishing destination, drawing anglers from across the Phoenix and Tucson valleys looking to escape the desert heat and wet a line in cool mountain water.

The lake's claim to fame is its tiger muskie fishery. Stocked as a sterile predator to help control overpopulated rough fish, these toothy hybrids grow large and have made Show Low one of the better-known muskie waters in the Southwest. Beyond the muskie, the lake earns its reputation as a dependable, family-friendly put-and-take rainbow trout destination, with regular stockings keeping the action steady through the cooler months. Its compact size, walkable shoreline, and surrounding ponderosa forest make it a favorite for everything from a casual bobber-and-bait outing to a dedicated trophy hunt.

Fish Species

For a small lake, Show Low offers a surprisingly varied mix of cold- and cool-water species:

• Tiger muskie — the signature gamefish here. These large, aggressive, ambush predators are the reason many serious anglers make the trip. Catch-and-release is the norm, and fish can reach impressive sizes.
• Rainbow trout — the bread-and-butter fishery, supported by regular stockings. The most commonly caught fish and ideal for beginners and families.
• Walleye — present and prized by anglers who target them, especially in low-light conditions.
• Channel catfish — a reliable warm-weather target that bites well into the evening hours.
• Largemouth bass and sunfish/bluegill — round out the panfish and warmwater opportunities, particularly around weed edges and structure in summer.

The standouts are clearly the tiger muskie for trophy seekers and the stocked rainbow trout for consistent action.

Best Seasons & Times

Spring: As ice comes off and water warms, trout fishing turns on and stocking schedules ramp up. This is also a prime window for tiger muskie, which become more active as water temperatures climb out of the 40s. Walleye move shallow in low light to feed.

Summer: The high elevation keeps the lake far cooler than the desert below, so fishing stays productive even in July and August. Early morning and the last hour of daylight are best, as trout and catfish feed in the cooler, low-light hours. Bass and panfish are active around weed lines, and catfishing after dark is excellent. Muskie hold near deeper, cooler structure during the heat of the day.

Fall: One of the best times overall. Cooling water reinvigorates trout and triggers tiger muskie to feed aggressively as they fatten up before winter. Crisp mornings and fewer crowds make autumn a favorite among regulars.

Winter: At this elevation the lake can ice over in cold spells, and ice fishing for trout is possible in some years when conditions are safe. Open-water periods still produce trout for patient anglers. Always verify ice safety locally before venturing out — never assume.

Across all seasons, dawn and dusk are the most productive times of day, especially for muskie and walleye.

Techniques & Baits

For rainbow trout:

• Bait fishing from shore with prepared dough baits, nightcrawlers, or salmon eggs suspended under a bobber or fished on a slip-sinker rig along the bottom.
• Small inline spinners, spoons, and casting bubbles with a fly trailer for those who like to cover water.
• Trolling small spoons or flashers tipped with bait from a boat, kayak, or float tube.

For tiger muskie:

• Large bucktails, big inline spinners, glide baits, jerkbaits, and oversized soft-plastic swimbaits worked near weed edges and drop-offs.
• Heavy tackle and a wire or heavy fluorocarbon leader are essential — these fish have sharp teeth and will cut light line.
• Carry long-nose pliers, a jaw spreader, and a large rubber net for safe catch-and-release handling.

For walleye: jigs tipped with nightcrawlers, slow-rolled crankbaits, and bottom-bouncer-and-worm-harness rigs fished in low light.

For channel catfish: stinkbait, cut bait, or nightcrawlers fished on the bottom, best in the evening and after dark.

For bass and panfish: small jigs, soft plastics, and live worms around weed beds, brush, and structure.

Access & Launches

Show Low Lake is a developed, easy-to-reach recreation site just outside the city of Show Low, with a surrounding county/recreation area that typically includes a boat launch, shoreline access, and a marina-style concession during the warmer season. The compact size means much of the bank is fishable on foot, making it friendly for anglers without a boat.

Small boats, kayaks, canoes, and float tubes are popular here, and a low-horsepower or no-wake boating environment is typical of small mountain lakes like this one. A day-use or access fee and seasonal camping are commonly part of the recreation area. Because facilities, fees, and seasonal operating hours change, check the current details with the managing recreation area or local ranger/parks office before you go.

Regulations & Licenses

A valid Arizona fishing license is required for all anglers of licensing age, and it is the angler's responsibility to carry it while fishing. Arizona offers resident, non-resident, and short-term options that can be purchased online or from local vendors.

Tiger muskie are managed with special minimum-length and reduced-bag rules to protect the trophy fishery, and trout, walleye, bass, and catfish each have their own statewide or water-specific limits. Slot, size, and bag limits do apply and can change from year to year. Always review the current Arizona Game and Fish Department regulations for Show Low Lake before your trip, and when in doubt, practice catch-and-release — especially with muskie.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Show Low Lake best known for catching?
Show Low Lake is best known for its trophy tiger muskie, which were stocked as predators and grow large here. It is also a reliable, regularly stocked rainbow trout fishery, with walleye, channel catfish, bass, and panfish rounding out the mix.

When is the best time to fish Show Low Lake?
Spring and fall are the standout seasons. Cooling fall water gets tiger muskie feeding aggressively, and spring brings strong trout action as stocking ramps up. Thanks to the 6,500-foot elevation, summer fishing stays productive too, with early morning and evening being the best times of day year-round.

Do I need a special license or leader to fish for tiger muskie here?
You need a valid Arizona fishing license, and tiger muskie are subject to special minimum-length and bag rules, so check current Arizona Game and Fish regulations. Gear-wise, use a heavy wire or fluorocarbon leader, big baits, and bring pliers and a jaw spreader for safe catch-and-release handling of their sharp teeth.

Can you fish Show Low Lake from shore or do you need a boat?
You can absolutely fish from shore. The lake is small enough that much of the bank is walkable and productive, which makes it great for families and bait anglers. That said, a kayak, float tube, or small boat helps you reach deeper structure and weed edges where muskie and walleye hold.