Trip brief · White River — White Mountains
How to go fish the White River — White Mountains
The months we list for the White River — White Mountains are April, May, June, July, August, September. You are inside that window now, so this brief is written for August.
August
No USGS gauge is mapped to this river.
Flies to tie — August
Hoppers#12-14
Beetles#14-18
Trico#22-24
Access
Whiteriver Tribal HQ Access
33.830, -109.960parking
Christmas Tree Lake Road
33.940, -109.980parking
Ft. Apache Historic Site
33.790, -110.050parking
East Fork White River
33.970, -109.900
Regs — check current rules before you go
Fort Apache Indian Reservation tribal recreation permit required for reservation waters (available from White Mountain Apache Tribe / WMAT Outdoor Recreation). Arizona fishing license required for off-reservation waters. Oct 1-Mar 31: catch-and-release only, artificial flies or lures with single barbless hooks, no bait or scents. Check WMAT regulations at wmatoutdoor.org for current season rules and open waters. Apache trout are federally threatened — handle with extreme care and release immediately.
Pack list
- A current state fishing licence
- Waders and boots you have already leak-tested
- Net, nippers, forceps
- Floatant and desiccant
- Tippet in the sizes the chart asks for
- Water, sun cover, polarised glasses
Generic gear. Anything specific to this water is above.
Full hatch chart, access map and live gauge on the White River — White Mountains page →