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Black River: |
( West Fork): Length: 8 miles. Elev. 6,520 to 7,525 ft. Access from same as the East Fork, continuing on FR 25 to Wildcat Point. This section of the Black River is more difficult to reach but offers an excellent example of Arizona's beauty with grassy meadows and tall pines. The area to the reservation border is brushy and weedy, but there's always the possibility of catching lunker browns in hiding pools. Wildlife sights include elk, turkey, and bear. |
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Black River: |
(reservation
border to White River): Length: 45 miles. Elev. 4,400 to 6,520 ft. Access from Fort Apache south on Y10 to the river or using Y20, Y22, or Y40 to points farther east on the river. Better bring the four-wheel-drive. This lower elevation stretch of the Black provides for some excellent smallmouth bass and catfish, with trout at higher elevations. May through July is the best time for bass. Walk up and down the river past the road accesses for the best fishing. Don't forget the permits at San Carlos or Fort Apache Game and Fish vendors. Either permit allows anglers to fish both sides of the Black. However, be careful to camp on the appropriate site. The lower elevations get into the scrubby prairie vegetation and chaparral. |
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Black River: |
(East Fork):
Length: 8 miles. Elev. 7,525 to 7,900 ft. Access north of Hannagan Meadow at
Beaver Creek; and from U.S. 191 and FR 26 along Beaver Creek; or from U.S. 191
to FR 249 and FR 276 to the Black River. This is one of the most beautiful
stretches of the Black River with the high elevation vegetation and wildlife
including: elk, bear, and turkey. The river is stocked weekly in the summer
with rainbow trout, but watch out for beaver dams. Campgrounds, located at
Buffalo Crossing and at points farther upstream, are open during the summer.
Winter access is not recommended.
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Blue River: |
Length: 24 miles.
Elev. 4,200 to 5,250 ft. Access from Alpine and west on U.S. 180 to FR 281 and
south on FR 567, between Alpine and Hannagan Meadow, east to Blue Crossing. The
road follows the river south. Watch for and respect private property signs. The
roads down into the Blue River canyons provide excellent views of eastern
Arizona beauty. At the bottom lies the community of "Blue," which still has a
post office and a few ranches. The old schoolhouse that stood for many years
burned down a few years back. Only a good snow melt and runoff provide the Blue
River with its water flow. Anglers may find some trout in the upper reaches,
but past Blue Box there may be just a few catfish in the pools. Campers can set
up at two established sites (Upper Blue or Blue Crossing) or at the primitive
grounds at the end of FR 281.
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Big Bonito Creek: |
Length: 11
miles. Elev. 5,250 to 7.000 ft. Access by reservation roads Y55, Y40, and Y70,
southeast of Fort Apache. Hike or backpack down to the creek. Big Bonito Creek
flows through the Bonito Prairie. Bonito is the Spanish word for pretty. The
canyon walls are filled with oak, willow, and cottonwood trees. Cool, clear
waters spill over the rocks into the pools of brown and rainbow trout. The area
has spectacular beauty and many hunters come during the seasons for mountain
lion, bear, and javelina. Special permits from the White Mountain Apache Tribe
are required, so remember to stop in Whiteriver on the way to Big Bonito Creek.
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Boneyard Creek: |
Length: 9 miles.
Elev. 8,000 ft. Follow FR 249 north of Alpine off U.S. 191. Boneyard Creek is
just north of the Black River (East Fork) crossing. Boneyard is just a small
creek with small rainbow and brook trout. Primitive camping is allowed. There
are more of these smaller creeks in the vicinity of Hannagan Meadow, but fish
of any size are doubtful. These streams are nice picnic areas or photo
subjects, though.
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Canyon Creek: |
Length 31 miles. Elev. 2,905 to 5,300 ft. One approach to Canyon Creek is
through the White Mountain Apache reservation to Cibecue, then take Route 021
past Grasshopper. Canyon Creek also is accessible from the Mogollon Rim, from
SR 260 and Young Road (SR 288). Flowing from the top of the Rim, Canyon Creek
finally deposits its runoff into the Salt River, west of Salt River Canyon.
Canyon Creek is undoubtedly one of the best trout fishing streams in the state.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department stocks fish in Canyon Creek where it runs
through the National Forest. In these upper reaches of the creek, anglers must
fish with artificial lures only. North of Grasshopper, named for an Apache
scout, is Chediski Lookout and Mountain, which climbs to 7,500 feet. Permits
are required for fishing and can be obtained at the Salt River Store or Tempe
Marine. |
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Cibecue Creek: |
Length: 20
miles. Elev. 3,136 to 5,680 ft. Two accesses to Cibecue: one is north from the
town of Cibecue on Route 020; the other is from the Salt River Canyon road G1.
Entirely on the reservation, Cibecue Creek is stocked with Apache trout north
of the town toward the Rim. Some of the biggest browns in the state have been
pulled out of the pools of Cibecue Creek. In the lower stretch, nice pools and
waterfalls can be found by walking upstream from the Salt River. Obtain fishing
and day-use permits at Salt River Canyon Store or Tempe Marine. Return to Top |
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Diamond Creek: |
Length: 11 miles. Elev. 5,600 to 7,500 ft. Access by SR 73 between Whiteriver
and Hon Dah to RR25 on the White Mountain Reservation. This beautiful creek in
the White Mountains is home to rainbow, brown, and Apache trout. Apache trout
are stocked regularly. Check with the reservation game and fish office
regarding fishing regulations. Permits can be obtained in Whiteriver or Hon
Dah. The eastern branch of Diamond (called Little Diamond) may have some small
trout, but some of this area is closed to non-Apaches. This high elevation area
combines grassy meadows, tall spruce and fir, with stands of aspen and
ponderosa pine. Wildlife sightings include deer, elk, and bear. Return to Top |
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Eagle Creek: |
Length: 48 miles. Elev. 3,250 to 5,450 ft. Eagle Creek is best approached on FR
217, north of Morenci off U.S. 191. The road winds down a scenic canyon to a
number of ranches and then follow the creek upstream to Honeymoon campground.
Depending on the water levels, Eagle Creek can be good fishing for trout in the
northern section. Other wildlife sights are bighorn sheep and rare varieties of
large birds such as peregrine falcon, wintering bald eagles, and Mexican black
hawks in the lower section. Part of the creek runs through San Carlos Apache
Reservation, so permits are required. Return to Top |
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Grant Creek: |
Length: 10 miles. Elev. 7,000 to 9,000 ft. Access by hiking trails
on the east side of U.S. 191 from Hannagan Meadow (#65) or by way of Blue
River, past Blue ranger station using FR 281. There is a trail that follows the
creek upstream (375) toward Hannagan Meadow. Grant Creek provides a natural
landmark for hikers more than a source for anglers. There are a few small
rainbows and some native trout.
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KP Creek: |
Length: 10 miles. Elev. 7,000 to 10,000 ft. KP Creek heads up on the Mogollon
Rim, runs along the Blue Range and finally down into Blue River. Access south
of Hannagan Meadow at KP Cienega Campground, off U.S. 191. A northern fork
heads up a few miles north of the campgrounds. Follow trails #93 or #70. KP
Creek has some native trout and a few wild rainbows.
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Little Colorado River: |
Length: Varies. Elevation 7,000 - 9,000 Ft. This river was
originally called Flax River be early Spanish explorers because of the
abundance of wild flax growing along its banks. The East Fork is about six
miles of very narrow creekbed and flowing water from Colter Reservoir to Greer.
Just a few small brookies and rainbows swim here. The West Fork begins atop Mt.
Baldy and flows north of Lee Valley to Sheep's crossing on into Greer. In the
upper reaches you'll find a few brook trout; and around Greer a few small
browns. The South Fork runs north, just east of Greer and flows into the main
tributary. There's a campground and cabin resort at South Fork (FR 560) and
hiking trail #97 takes you back upstream. The area around Greer is quite
impressive with its rolling meadows, wildflowers and forests
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Pacheta Creek: |
Access at Pacheta Lake using Y-55 and Y-40. Walking up and down
the shoreline is the best way to fish this small creek. The stream may be
pretty brushy in some places. Pacheta isn't stocked, but some fish move from
the lake and there are some natural spawners. This is some of the most
beautiful and remote country of Arizona. |
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Paradise Creek: |
Length: 3 miles.
Elev. 7,500 ft. There are good campsites below the confluence of Paradise Creek
and White River. Paradise Creek is open for fishing the first 3 miles southeast
of the junction of the North Fork of White River, just downstream from
Ditch Camp. Small and
brushy and often difficult to fish, it is stocked by White Mountain Apache Game
and Fish during summer. Return to Top |
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Reservation Creek: |
Length: 15 miles. Elev. 7,000 to 10,000 ft. Access from
Reservation Lakes south on road Y20 on the White Mountain Apache reservation.
Flows parallel to Pacheta Creek before reaching reservation border, then on to
Black River. Levels vary along this wooded creek. Catches consist of brown,
brook, and rainbow - all fairly small, wild trout.
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Salt River: |
Length from Salt River Canyon to Gleason Flats: 20 miles. Elev. 2,840 to 3,350
ft. Access by reservation road G1 just north of the bridge. Follow it east to
Salt Flats. May require four-wheel-drive vehicle. The mighty Salt River, with
its whitewater rapids and torrential flow, challenges kayakers and rafters with
even the most experience. If you don't have the skills to conquer this section
of the Salt, seek out one of the tour operators that plan trips down the river.
The Salt begins with the waters of the Black and White Rivers flowing together
about 35 miles upstream. One side of the Salt River Canyon is on White Mountain
Apache land; the other side is San Carlos Apache Reservation. Permits are
required from the reservations to enter the land. Beautiful canyons, winding
side streams and abundant wildlife best describe the Salt River. There are
smallmouth bass and catfish in addition to various species of rough fish in the
Salt. Facilities include primitive camping at Mule Hoof, near the
bridge. |
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Silver Creek: |
Length: 1-2
miles fishable. Elev. 6,500 ft. Accessible north of Show Low on U.S. 60 and FR
918 just past turnoff to Silver Creek Estates. Rainbow trout are stocked by
Game and Fish in the spring. Some very large native spawners have been caught
from this stream in early spring as they move up out of White Mountain Lake and
below the private hatchery at Silver Springs. After about May, Silver Creek is
too warm for good fishing. Early settlers who built homes along the creek named
it because it was "clear and silvery."
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Tonto Creek: |
Length: 16 miles. Elev. 5,700 to 7,800 ft. Accessible from Y40 by
taking Y47 north for four miles. Not to be confused with the major Arizona
stream in Gila County that runs from the Mogollon Rim to Roosevelt Lake. Tonto
Creek runs from Tonto Lake on the White Mountain Apache Reservation to Bonito
Creek. Fishing is generally better lower on the creek. The stream has brown,
rainbow, and Apache trout. |
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Trout Creek: |
Length: 15
miles. Elev. 7,500 ft. Trout Creek is accessible from Upper Log Road (via SR 73
south of Hon Dah) where it flows underneath the road and empties into the North
Fork of the White River. Another access point is at Hawley Lake as it heads up
to the northwest. This small stream has some pan-size rainbow and brook trout
in the short distance between these two access points. Some lucky angler may
come up with a big brown lurking in the pools. A favorite stream of the serious
dry fly fisherman. Return to Top |
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White River: |
(North Fork): Length: 50 miles. Elev. 5,000 (south of Fort Apache)
to 6,800 ft. Best access to the upper reaches of North Fork is by using Upper
Log Road or the Roberts Ranch turnoff. Other popular access points are the
McCoy Bridge off SR 473, south of SR 260. The North Fork and East Fork of White
River join at Fort Apache to form the White River, which flows into what was
the Black River, creating the Salt River. Early reports tell that the river was
called Sierra Blanca River (or White Mountain River). This most popular White
Mountain stream is fished in heavy numbers and is a major draw for camping and
picnicking families. The Apaches stock it twice a week throughout the spring
and summer, plus there are many native spawners. Apaches and brown are the best
catches in the upper reaches. In the section below Whiteriver and Fort Apache,
smallmouth bass and some catfish can be found. |
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White River: |
(East Fork):
Length: 6 miles. Elev. 5,000 to 6,500 ft. Driving south from Whiteriver on SR
73, turn east toward Fort Apache. This road crosses the river and turns into
Y55, which parallels the East Fork up to the closed area. Much of the East Fork
is in an area closed to non-Apaches. This is to provide an undisturbed
environment for the spawning of Apache trout. Below R30, the river is stocked
with Apache trout. It is mostly a put-and-take stream, with some lurking lunker
browns. Excellent bird-watching opportunities abound. You might catch sight of
vermillion flycatcher or painted redstart. Return to Top |
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| Information
courtesy: Pinetop-Lakeside Chamber of Commerce &
Arizona Department of Game and
Fish Fishing information |
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| Greer & Springerville Trails Pinetop-Lakeside Trails |
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This Page Last Updated, 02 - 05 - 2002