 Arizona Game and Fish Department Bunch Reservoir near Greer is stocked with catchable-sized rainbow trout in the spring and summer. It also gets a few brown trout from the Little Colorado River diversion which refills the lake in winter. |
Location - Bunch Reservoir is located at 8,260-feet elevation on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. It's about a 45-minute drive from Pinetop-Lakeside via State Highways 260 and 373. At the junction of the two highways, take Hwy. 373 south three miles, then turn left on Forest Road 87B. The Greer Lakes, as they are collectively known, include Bunch, Tunnel and River Reservoirs, and are a short distance apart from each other. Each is accessed from FR 87B. Bunch Reservoir is the first lake on the left.
Description - Bunch is 20 acres in size, and has an average depth of 10 feet. The Arizona Game and Fish Department stocks the lake with catchable-sized rainbow trout in the spring and summer. Like its two neighboring reservoirs, Bunch gets a few brown trout from the LCR diversion that refills it in the winter, but browns are not stocked here.
Amenities - Bunch Reservoir's amenities including paved parking, a boat ramp, picnic ramadas and barrier-free toilets that are all new. There is camping at nearby Benny Creek and Rolfe Hoyer Campgrounds, both operated by the U.S. Forest Service. Benny Creek Campground can accommodate two groups of up to 24 and 32 people respectively, while Hoyer has 100 individual sites with top-of-the-line amenities, including barrier-free flush toilets and showers. Both campgrounds charge a fee. Make reservations by going to www.reserveusa.com on the Web or by calling 1-877-444-6777. The nearby town of Greer provides everything in the way of gas, lodging, food and tackle.
Fishing Techniques - Fishing techniques for Bunch Reservoir will be very similar to those for neighboring Tunnel and River Reservoirs. Try spinners and small spoons such as Panther Martins, small Kastmasters and Z-rays after the first spring stocking. Fly anglers can try flies, such as a prince nymph, hare's ear nymph and peacock lady, either by wading in or from a float tube. You could also try fishing off the bottom with night crawlers or Power Bait.
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 electric only.
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 pack out your trash, including discarded fishing line and other tackle.
