A Scenic Arizona Lake Abruptly Closes, Disrupting Summer Travel Plans

San Carlos Lake on the San Carlos Apache Tribal Lands of southeast Arizona is one of the state's largest bodies of water. Lying just off Highway 70, south of San Carlos and Peridot, north of Tucson, and east of Phoenix, it's a picturesque gem that offers excellent fishing, kayaking, and hiking opportunities. Set against the backdrop of the Gila and Mescal mountains, and surrounded by the stark, yet beautifully serene, landscape of Arizona's Sonoran Desert, it is a fantastic retreat for remote outdoor adventures.

However, this summer, visitors to the area are set to be disappointed as San Carlos Lake will be closed indefinitely due to health and safety concerns. According to the San Carlos Recreation and Wildlife Department, which maintains San Carlos Lake, "Recent drought conditions, combined with water releases from the dam, have resulted in a major fish kill affecting approximately 100% of the fish population within the lake." As a result, the lake will be closed until further notice.

Many fish kill events are caused by contamination, but at San Carlos Lake, the culprit is low water levels caused by a lack of rainfall, combined with the sudden release of water from a nearby dam. Here, the risk is not from the water, but from the fish themselves. The San Carlos Recreation and Wildlife Department said, "Decomposing fish may pose health risks to individuals who enter the area or attempt to fish," and as a result, fishing, harvesting fish from the lake, and any recreational activities associated with fishing are currently prohibited.

Due to the unfortunate closure of San Carlos Lake, travelers with fishing trips or lake recreation plans will want to postpone until there is better news from the San Carlos Recreation and Wildlife Department. Luckily, Arizona is one of the best places for outdoor adventure in the country, and there are plenty of alternatives nearby.

Arizona is filled with breathtaking scenery and hidden-gem hikes, and there are some wonderful and exciting opportunities for adventure-lovers in the immediate vicinity of San Carlos Lake. The Peridot Mesa, located about 20 miles from San Carlos Lake, offers fantastic trails surrounded by beautiful wildflowers. Note that if you plan to get out and about in this section of the Arizona backcountry, which is within the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation, don't forget to pick up a permit from the San Carlos Recreation and Wildlife Office. 

If you've got your heart set on a fishing trip, the best and nearest alternative is Roper Lake State Park, about an hour and forty minutes southeast. The lake is known for largemouth bass, channel catfish, and rainbow trout. Another good option, about the same distance away to the northwest, is Theodore Roosevelt Lake and the Salt River. This offers a great combination of river and lake fishing, with some superb scenery and easy access. Winter is the best time to hit the Salt River, as the river is stocked with rainbow trout, while spring and early summer are the best times to fish Roosevelt Lake, as the warmer climate increases fish activity.

For more to do in the Grand Canyon State, check out this Arizona wine country road trip or our locals-approved guide to sightseeing in Phoenix.