San Carlos Recreation & Wildlife Department

P.O. Box 97

San Carlos, AZ 85550

Phone:  (928) 475-2343

Fax:  (928) 475-2701

Website: http://scatrecreation.org/fishing/where-to-fish

Contact: Daniel Juan

The San Carlos Reservation offers great cold and warm water fishing in its lakes, stock ponds and rivers. Non-member anglers twelve (12) years of age or older are required to have a Daily Fishing Permit and yearly habitat stamp in possession while fishing Reservation waters. A boating permit is required for any use of watercraft. Yearly Fishing and Boating Permits are also available for frequent visitors. 

Talkalai Lake

Talkalai Lake is located near the San Carlos community and offers fishermen the chance at landing Largemouth Bass, Flathead Catfish, Channel Catfish, Black Crappie, and Sunfish. Formed by the damming of the Blue and San Carlos Rivers, Talkalai  Lake provides 600 acres of year round fishing. Two (2) boat ramps are accessible for launching with the Lake allowing a maximum of 25 horse power gasoline motors. Larger boats are welcome to use trolling motors for mobility. 

Seneca Lake

Seneca Lake is located north of Globe on Highway 60 in the northwestern portion of the Reservation and is managed as both a warm-water and cool-water fishery. Trophy Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish and Red-ear Sunfish are availbale for anglers during the warmer summer months with Rainbow and Brown Trout regularly stocked during the cooler Fall and Winter months. The 27-acre lake has a boat ramp and several fishing piers.

Point of Pines Lake

Point of Pines Lake is a beautiful 34-acre high mountain Lake surrounded by ponderosa pine forest. Travel along Indian Route 8 (1000 road) roughly 50 miles from the junction of Highway 70 to reach this quiet and peaceful Lake. Point of Pines Lake is stocked annually with Rainbow and Brown Trout during the Fall and Winter months with larger Trout being caught as a result of over summer survival in this high elevation lake. Plenty of Camping is available on the south end with all other areas along the lake accessible for day use only.

Black River/Salt River

The Black River/Salt River recreation areas offer a special wilderness experience for fishing. Approximately 108 miles long, these two rivers comprise the northern border of the Reservation. Many areas are remote and not readily accessible. Anglers should concentrate their efforts to the deeper, more secluded pools and back eddies along the river. Artificial baits such as inline spinners and Powerbait grubs are amoung a few favorites for local anglers. When fishing the Black River, ultra-lite fishing tackle is recommended.

Stock Ponds

There are over 100 stock ponds found throughout the Reservation with many offering Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish and Blue Gill. The spring spawning period offers the best chance of success fishing these ponds which vary in size from a quarter acre to 20 acres.