Located high in the Pinaleño Mountains about 2.5 hours from Tucson, Riggs Flat Lake offers a serene and rewarding destination for fly fishing enthusiasts. This small alpine lake, situated at an elevation of 8,600 feet, is well-known for its well-stocked fish population and breathtaking natural surroundings. Ideal for anglers seeking cooler weather and peaceful escapes, the lake is part of Mount Graham’s scenic landscape—an environment teeming with natural beauty and outdoor opportunities.
Adventure Guide to Fly Fishing at Riggs Flat Lake near Mount Graham
Riggs Flat Lake: The lake is regularly stocked with rainbow trout by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. For fly anglers, early morning hours are especially promising, as fish are more active during these cooler periods. Popular flies include wooly buggers and nymph patterns that mimic the lake’s insect life. The calm waters make this a great location for both beginners and seasoned fly fishing aficionados.
Key Features: Beyond fishing, Riggs Flat Lake has a primitive camping ground nearby, offering easy access for those wanting to extend their trip. Keep an eye out for bald eagles soaring overhead in the crisp mountain air—a common sight in this wilderness area.
Mount Graham Wilderness: The surrounding wilderness enhances the fly fishing experience. Pine and fir forests flank the lake, providing ample shade and an incredible setting for casting.
Local Insights
Riggs Flat Lake sits within Mount Graham’s Sky Island ecosystem, meaning the area has unique biodiversity. Unlike the surrounding desert of Tucson, this high-altitude environment supports amphibians, songbirds, and cold-water fish species. Anglers often rave about the calm, uncrowded environment compared to busier lakes closer to urban areas. Note this area is in the Coronado National Forest, which requires a small fee for entry.
Visitor Tips
Best Times to Visit: Late spring through early fall is ideal. Check road conditions before traveling—snow can linger on higher elevations in spring.
What to Bring: Fishing gear, layered clothing, sunscreen, water, fly patterns, and a valid Arizona fishing license.
Directions: From Tucson, take I-10 east, follow AZ-191 north to Swift Trail/South AZ-366, then head west along the winding mountain roads (approx. 2.5 hours).
Adventure Map
Reviews
Kristen Metzger5 years ago
This is a generally quiet lake, great for fishing, wildlife-spotting, and kayaking. It takes a while to get here from the base of Mt. Graham, and there are a few miles of dirt road, but that seems to help keep the crowds away. There is a developed campground with convenient lake access, and a few dispersed campsites just up the road. There's a lot of lake weed around the edges, so maybe not the best for swimming, but if you can get out on the water on a kayak or paddle board it's really nice. We watched a bear fishing at the water's edge from our paddle boards (at a respectful distance) for like 30 minutes at twilight one evening.
Melissa Miller4 years ago
Watch out for Altitude Sickness!!! Mt. Graham has one of the highest elevations in AZ, just about 10k feet. We didn’t know this until we got there that we could actually feel sick from the altitude after being there only a matter of hours. Even more scary is that our dog got altitude sickness as well. His gums and tongue went pale, he was lethargic, he didn’t feel well. We left early. On the way home we researched it and turns out it can turn deadly in some dogs, causing swelling of the brain and other organs. Terrifying. Work yourself and your dogs up to it by slowly going up to higher elevations every weekend. One article said that 20% of people and dogs get this sickness. Be prepared.
Secondly, SKUNK 🦨 have gotten pretty brazen and will come right up to your campsite with you sitting there at night! We couldn’t believe it. Keep all food and water off the ground and put away right after dinner. You don’t want to scare them or they’ll spray your entire campsite and ruin your trip. 🤮
Thirdly, the last hour driving to the lake/campsite was a very bumpy dirt road! We had no idea. Our dog was already scared and sick and this road made him miserable. The vehicle, kayaks and tiny camper were dusty as could be and the trailer tires got pretty worn. On the way back we had to give our dog Benadryl so that he didn’t have a heart attack. His whole body was strained on the way up. This “road trip” part of the trip was not fun. However the lake is absolutely beautiful. The people were respectful and quiet and there were plenty of steel garbage and recycle containers that lock and are bear-proof. Very happy about that! The temperatures on September were perfect.
Remember to bring cash to put in the envelope to pay for your stay. Support the National Forests. Leave the land better than it was when you got there. Take your garbage out, even your used 🧻 TP 😁😁😁
Emily Yavner2 months ago
Nice campground. Keep your eyes open for the bald eagles!
Kristen Ryan6 months ago
Such a relaxing area, so beautiful during this season!Mack the camp host is the absolute best. Every time we go up there he makes sure the grounds are perfect and everyone is well taken care of! We love camping here, the scenery, the views and the lake for kayaking i wouldnt reccomend swimming.
Carlos Barron3 years ago
Super beautiful up there guys will go again bad points tho are no phone service lol good fishing carp and rainbow trout also bears just keep the food away from them and they leave you alone there is bathroom and camping spots if you take medicine or are allergic to anything I recommend you take whatever it is you need about 1hr away from any help like a hospital also if towing a trailer up your truck will hate you but doable they do have restrictions like no longer than 26 feet or something like this or trailer break required
