Carnero Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carnero Lake |
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 Carnero Lake
Location in Arizona
Carnero Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Apache County, Arizona |
| Coordinates | 34°7′0.15″N 109°31′41.21″W / 34.1167083°N 109.5281139°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 65 acres (26 ha) |
| Average depth | 6 ft (1.8 m) |
| Max. depth | 10 ft (3.0 m) |
| Surface elevation | 9,033 ft (2,753 m) |
Carnero Lake is a beautiful, shallow lake located high up in the mountains of Apache County, Arizona. It was created in 1979 and quickly became a favorite spot for people who love to fish.
For a while, there was a disagreement about the lake's water. This meant the Arizona Game and Fish Department stopped adding fish for many years. But in 1999, the Game and Fish Department gained more control over the water rights. This helped Carnero Lake become a great place for trout fishing once again!
Where is Carnero Lake?
Carnero Lake sits very high up, at about 9,033 feet (2,753 m) above sea level. It is located within the Apache–Sitgreaves National Forests.
Because it's so high, the area gets a lot of snow and ice. This means the roads leading to the lake are usually closed. They are typically shut down from mid-November until mid-April each year.
What is Carnero Lake Like?
Carnero Lake is a shallow lake that covers about 65-acre (26 ha) of land. It is a "headwater impoundment," which means it's a lake formed by holding back water at the very beginning of Carnero Creek.
The deepest part of the lake is about ten feet. You might notice that the lake has a lot of plants growing in it. While this can sometimes make fishing a bit tricky, it's actually a good sign! Lots of plants mean the lake is very "productive." This means it has plenty of food and good conditions for fish and other living things to thrive.
The lake is regularly stocked with young rainbow trout and tiger trout in the spring. These fish are big enough to catch. However, because the lake is high up and not very deep, it can sometimes experience "winter kills." This happens when the lake freezes over completely, and the fish don't get enough oxygen.
Fish You Can Find
- Rainbow trout
- Tiger trout
