Luna Lake (Arizona)
| Luna Lake | |
|---|---|
| Location | Apache County, Arizona |
| Coordinates | 33°49′44.92″N 109°5′22.56″W / 33.8291444°N 109.0896000°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 75 acres (30 ha) |
| Average depth | 8 ft (2.4 m) |
| Surface elevation | 7,890 ft (2,400 m) |
Luna Lake is a natural body of water that covers approximately 120 acres (0.49 km2) of land. It is located about three miles (5 km) southeast of Alpine, Arizona at the elevation of 7,900 ft (2,400 m).
Luna Lake has the distinction of being part of the San Francisco River, flowing easterly into New Mexico, then south, and west into the Gila River (in Arizona). The headwaters are north of the other main mountain tributary to the Gila, the Blue River of Arizona.
Location
Luna Lake lies at 7,890 feet on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, as such the facilities located here are managed by that authority. It is located about 3 miles east of Alpine, just north of U.S. Highway 180. It’s accessible year-round, but ices over in winter months. Ice fishing is usually possible, but always check ice conditions before setting out.
Description
Luna Lake is a 154-acre impoundment of the upper San Francisco River. It has a maximum depth of 21 feet and an average depth of 8 feet. It's stocked annually with fingerling and subcatchable rainbow and cutthroat trout, which rapidly grow to catchable size due to the high productivity of the lake. Because it is a shallow, nutrient-rich lake, it is subject to water quality problems and excessive weed growth. The Arizona Game and Fish Department annually harvests weeds to help alleviate some of the water quality problems.
Fauna and flora
The following species are noted at Luna Lake.
- Gray Catbird, (South and West of most westerly ranges in New Mexico, and Colorado.)
- Southwestern Willow Flycatcher
- Bald Eagle
- Mexican Spotted Owl
- Myotis occultus, the Arizona myotis, a Mouse-eared bat
- Northern Leopard Frog
- Chiricahua Leopard Frog
- Clover: Trifolium, Trifolium neurophyllum, "White Mountains Clover"
- Gila Groundsel, Senecio quaerens, Senecio
Boating Facility Features
- Boats To Rent
- Motors To Rent
- Groceries
- Gas and Oil
- Tackle and Equipment
- Tables
- Drinking Water
- Restrooms
- Trailer Spaces
- Camping Allowed
Amenities
There is one boat ramp, barrier-free toilets, picnic tables and paved parking at the lake. The Luna Lake Campground, which includes 40 individual fee-camping sites, three group sites, picnic tables, restrooms and drinking water, is located on Forest Service lands about ¼-mile north of the lake. Reserve a site at Luna Lake Campground by visiting www.reserveusa.com on the web or by calling 1-877-444-6777. In addition, a concessionaire operates a small store near the dam where you can purchase tackle, bait, drinks, snacks or rent a boat.
Fish Species
Fishing Techniques
Trolling with flies works well in spring and early summer at Luna Lake. Try wooly buggers, a prince nymph and other large wet flies. Night crawlers and Power Bait fished off the bottom also work well. As water temperatures go up in the summer, fish in deeper, cooler water.
Special Notes
Luna Lake Wildlife Area, which covers only the uppermost end of the lake, is closed to public entry annually from April 1 through July 31. Statewide fishing regulations apply at Luna Lake. The bag limit is six trout; three for unlicensed anglers under the age of 14. Boat motors are restricted to either electric or 10 HP gas motors or less.
External links
- Luna Lake Wildlife Area
- Arizona Boating Locations Facilities Map
- Arizona Fishing Locations Map
- Where to Fish in Arizona Species Information
- Arizona Lake Levels
References
- Arizona Fishin' Holes, Phoenix, AZ: Arizona Game and Fish Department, 2007
{{citation}}:|first=missing|last=(help)
 | This Arizona state location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |