 Arizona Game and Fish Department Concho Lake, an irrigation lake surrounded by mostly private land in the town of Concho, is managed for sport fishing and wildlife resources by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. |
Concho Lake is located in the eastern Arizona grasslands at 6,300 feet elevation. It's an irrigation reservoir situated in the town of Concho, on the east side of State Highway 61. Much of the land surrounding the lake is privately owned; the rest is owned by the Bureau of Land Management, but is managed for sport fisheries and wildlife resources by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Downstream water users own 100 percent of the water rights.
Description
Concho Lake is a small, shallow, weedy lake. It has 80 surface acres with a maximum depth of 16.4 feet and an average depth of 8.2 feet. A small watershed and nearby spring feed the lake. Following current management plans, the Arizona Game and Fish Department stocks catchable-sized rainbow trout during spring months. Because of poorer water quality in warmer months and summer fish kills, fisheries managers have ceased stocking of fingerling trout. Green sunfish and an occasional largemouth bass also occur at this lake. The lake gets drawn down considerably in the summer for irrigation. When it can be launched, the Department's mechanical weed harvester collects and removes excess weeds in the lake.
Amenities
There is a boat ramp, dirt parking, picnic benches and a portable restroom. There is no overnight camping allowed at the lake. The nearest lodging and dining is in St. Johns, 16 miles to the east.
Fishing Techniques
In 2005, pre-stocking surveys revealed a number of two-pound, carry-over trout that survived the winter. Surveys have not yet been completed for 2006, but there is a chance that once again good numbers of carry-over trout remain. To try your luck at one of these chunky trout, float a night crawler a couple of feet from the bottom or suspend it under a bobber. Also try trolling flies or small lures from a boat. Because of the mild winter and good water quality, the Department stocked 11,000 trout in the lake at the end of January and beginning of February.
Special Notes
Statewide fishing regulations apply and a trout stamp is required. The daily bag limit is six trout; three for unlicensed anglers under the age of 14. Boat motors are restricted to either electric or 10hp gas motors or less.
It's illegal to move live fish from one lake or stream to another because of the potential to harm to existing fisheries. Without exception, no live baitfish may be used or be in possession in Apache, Coconino or Navajo Counties.
Please place your trash, including discarded fishing line and other tackle, in the bins provided.
