San Carlos Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids San Carlos Lake |
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 San Carlos Lake
Location in Arizona
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| Location | Gila / Graham / Pinal counties, Arizona, United States |
| Coordinates | 33°11′16″N 110°28′20″W / 33.18778°N 110.47222°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Gila River |
| Primary outflows | Gila River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Managing agency | San Carlos Apache Tribe Recreation & Wildlife Dept. |
| Max. length | 23 mi (37 km) |
| Max. width | 2 mi (3.2 km) |
| Surface area | 19,500 acres (7,900 ha) |
San Carlos Lake is a large lake in Arizona, created by building the Coolidge Dam. It has about 158 miles (254 km) of shoreline, which is a lot of space to explore! This lake is special because it's located inside the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. This means the San Carlos Apache Tribe manages the lake and its rules.
The lake's water level can change a lot. Sometimes, if there isn't much rain and water is used for farming, the lake can get very low. But when there's a lot of rain, the lake can fill up and even flow over the top of the Coolidge Dam! Since the dam was built, the lake has been almost empty many times. It has only been completely full a few times.
When the dam was officially opened in 1930, a famous humorist named Will Rogers saw the dry lakebed. He joked, "If this were my dam, I'd mow it." This shows how low the water could get sometimes!
Fun Activities at San Carlos Lake
San Carlos Lake is a great place for outdoor fun, especially after wet winters. It becomes one of Arizona's largest lakes. The San Carlos Apache Tribe's Recreation and Wildlife Department works hard to make sure there are plenty of fish for everyone.
Fishing Adventures
Many types of fish live and grow naturally in San Carlos Lake. These include:
- Sunfish
- Largemouth bass
- Black crappie
- Channel catfish
- Flathead catfish
The lake is famous for its fishing! It holds state records for the biggest largemouth bass, black crappie, and flathead catfish ever caught. Other fish, like brown trout and rainbow trout, are also added to the lake from special fish farms.
Boating and Camping Fun
You can also enjoy activities like jet-skiing, water skiing, and boating on San Carlos Lake. If you are not a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, you will need to get a permit from the tribal office to use the lake. This is because the lake is on tribal land.
There's a campground called Soda Canyon Point Campground on the north side of the lake. Since the lake's water level can change a lot, especially in summer, it's a good idea to call the San Carlos Apache Recreation and Wildlife Department before you visit. They can tell you the current lake level.
